Day 1,286, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins-Patriots Game 2 Review

 

With three of their 10 top (or so) players missing in left tackle Terron Armstead, cornerback Jalen Ramsey, and outside linebacker Jaelen Phillips, the 'Fins were still able to go into Foxboro, fade a strong defensive gameplan by New England, six penalties, some baffling calls by the officials, and some extremely questionable late-game decisions by coach Mike McDaniel to earn a vital division road victory. 

On to the F the cheaters recap ...

Offense

• With the Patsies focused on limiting Tyreek Hill and taking away the opportunity for downfield shots, Miami responded with a shorter passing game and a more dedicated ground attack. The 'Fins averaged 6.4 yards per play, racking up 389 total yards and 22 first downs and converting two of three red-zone visits into touchdowns. Despite more bad snaps, the Dolphins committed only a single turnover, but did misfire on 6 of 10 third-down attempts and did not go for any fourth downs. Averaging 4.8 yards per rush and collecting 145 rushing yards ended up being the difference for the Miami "O."
• Tua Tagovailoa connected on 21 of 30 passes for 249 yards and a score, getting the ball out quickly and playing more of a point-guard role this time around. He rushed four times for three yards, was sacked once, fumbled twice, and threw an interception. 
• At running back, Raheem Mostert put together one of his finest games as a Dolphin, beasting his way to 121 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, adding a six-yard catch in his 46 snaps. Salvon Ahmed backed him up again, carrying three times for 13 yards and grabbing three passes for 28 yards in his 12 snaps before being injured. De'Von Achane saw the first action of his career, recording a five-yard run and a four-yard catch in his six snaps. Alec Ingold did not get a touch but was noticeable in the blocking game in his 38 snaps at fullback. Ahmed's injury will be one to monitor with Jeff Wilson still on IR as well.
• Reflecting New England's defensive focus, Hill was limited to five grabs on nine targets, good for 40 yards and a score in his 54 snaps. Jaylen Waddle was targeted six times in his 46 snaps, reeling in four receptions for 86 yards and drawing a clear pass interference that was mystifyingly uncalled. Braxton Berrios notched two catches on three targets for 28 yards in 21 snaps, while River Cracraft snared both targets for 34 yards in his 18 snaps. Erik Ezukanma once again filled a hybrid role, rushing three times for five yards without pulling in his lone target in the passing game. Cedrick Wilson was inactive in this one.
• At tight end, it was once again the Durham Smythe show, with the veteran hauling in three grabs for 23 yards in his 61 snaps. Tyler Kroft was untargeted in his three snaps in reserve.
• The offensive line once again played at an above-average level. The most pressing -- and persistent problem -- remains center Connor Williams's  snapping struggles, with two more botched exchanges with Tua. Left guard Isaiah Wynn was whistled for an illegal block above the waist and right tackle Austin Jackson was called for holding, but through two games, Tua has been sacked only once and hit four times. Right guard Robert Hunt has been the standout, with reserve left tackle Kendall Lamm performing admirably in Armstead's absence, though Jackson's play bears monitoring over the next several weeks. The front five played all 63 snaps, and to this stage, represents the most promising improvement among Miami's positional units.

Defense

• Despite allowing 23 first downs -- most coming late in the contest -- the 'Fins held the Patsies to 288 yards and 4.1 yards per play. New England converted 7 of 15 third-down attempts and one of two fourth-down tries, while turning both red-zone trips into touchdowns. However, Miami forced two turnovers and four sacks, holding the home team in check for the majority of the contest.
• Along the defensive line, Christian Wilkins picked up an 81.3 grade from Pro Football Focus (PFF), notching seven tackles, five solos, one sack (that he likely didn't deserve credit for), a stop for loss, and a quarterback hit in his 52 snaps. Zach Sieler delivered four tackles and a solo stop in his 52 snaps, with Da'Shawn Hand (10 snaps) and Chase Winovich (two snaps) failing to record stats in reserve duty.
• In the middle, Raekwon Davis had his best game in quite a while, piling up five tackles, three solos, and a stop for a loss in his 37 snaps. Brandon Pili got a pair of snaps in reserve.
• Bradley Chubb was a warrior at outside linebacker, racking up seven tackles, five solos, a sack (a half-sack was taken away from him after the game), two stops for losses, two quarterback hits, six pressures, and a forced fumble. He was whistled for a neutral-zone infraction, but his overall play in 67 snaps earned him a 90.8 PFF grade in a game where the Dolphins needed him badly. Playing on the outside after playing inside most of the season opener, Andrew Van Ginkel posted six tackles, a sack, a stop for a loss, a pass breakup, and three quarterback hits on his way to a 90.4 PFF grade in 65 snaps. Emmanuel Ogbah was shut out in his 16 snaps in his second straight subpar performance. 
• At inside linebacker, David Long had a bounce-back game, earning a 79.5 PFF grade after recording eight tackles, five solos, a sack, a stop for a loss, and two quarterback hits in 62 snaps. Jerome Baker collected six tackles and three solo stops in 74 snaps, with Duke Riley getting a lone snap in reserve.
• Miami got winning play at cornerback, with Xavien Howard experiencing a bit of a bounce-back game himself. In 74 snaps, he tallied six solo stops, a pass breakup, a key interception, and a holding penalty. In the same number of snaps, Kader Kohou earned an 80.4 PFF grade on the strength of four tackles, three solos, and a stop for loss. After "X" was targeted by officials a week ago, it was Eli Apple's turn in the second week of the campaign. In his 68 snaps, Apple recorded six tackles, five solo stops, and two pass breakups, but he was called for three penalties (two pass interference and a hold that was declined) and gave up seven receptions on 10 balls thrown his way. In reserve, Justin Bethel had a pair of solo stops in 10 snaps.
• At safety, Jevon Holland totaled 11 tackles, six solos, a stop for a loss, and one pass breakup in 74 snaps. In the same number of plays, DeShon Elliott had four tackles, three solo stops, and a pass breakup. Somewhat surprisingly, Brandon Jones did not get any snaps from scrimmage despite earning 15 special-teams plays.

Special teams

• In a performance that may have been more indicative of the shakiness of Danny Crossman's role as special teams coordinator, Jason Sanders missed two of three field-goal attempts, with one being blocked and a 55-yarder (that never should have even been considered) influenced by the specter of a block attempt. Sanders did hit all three extra points, but Miami was dramatically outschemed on both of his misfires. After a troubling special-teams performance a year ago, Crossman's longevity in the position has to be in question at this point.
• Jake Bailey punted three times for a 48-yard average.
• Berrios ran back two punts for 27 yards, with a long of 18. Neither team recorded a kickoff return.
• Bethel and Riley led defensive players with 19 special-teams snaps each, with rookie corner Cam Smith posting 18 reps with Kelvin Joseph being inactive in this one. Among offensive players, Smythe had a solo stop while leading the way with 13 third-phase snaps.

2023 Schedule

Miami 36, Los Angeles 34 (1-0)

Miami 24, New England 17 (2-0)