MIAMI — The Miami Dolphins, who scored 70 points against the Denver Broncos in Week 3, only had one offensive touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16.
They also won 22-20.
These are the new Dolphins, commanded by Mike McDaniel
Miami was an offense-heavy squad in 2022. Although it ended sixth in yards per game, it was 24th in scoring defense, 18th in yards allowed per game, and 21st in defensive expected points added. When the offense collapsed, as it did late in the season, the Dolphins’ inexperienced defense and run game revealed the squad as one-dimensional.
With a win this weekend against the top-seeded Baltimore Ravens (1 p.m. ET, CBS), the Dolphins can end their reputation as a fast, finesse-style squad that gets pushed around by physical opponents.
“To spend your time worrying about narratives, I would be a stressed-out individual,” he remarked. “However, I find it strange.” I haven’t checked in a while, but I believe we’re quite good at both stopping the run and running the football. That isn’t usually connected with cuteness.
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“Whatever. I mean, there’ll always be something.”
Miami’s defense has been its most steady unit throughout the last stretch of the 2023 season, following an early-season offensive explosion that had some seeking for the NFL record book. That’s not to say Miami’s offensive has withered; the Dolphins lead the league in scoring (30.9 points per game) and yards per game (411.5 yards per game). But they’ve slowed down since Week 8, averaging 367 yards per game over the last two months, good for sixth in the NFL. Miami has plummeted the most in yards per carry, averaging 3.9 yards per carry after averaging a league-best 6.3 yards per rush through the first seven weeks of the season.
The defense, on the other hand, has picked up the slack. The Dolphins have ranked second in defensive EPA (61.98), first in scoring (15.9 points per game) and yards per game (253.8), and fourth in sacks per dropback (9.4%) since Week 8. With two games left in the regular season, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s unit has already set a franchise record with 52 sacks.
Miami stopped the Cowboys, the NFL’s top-scoring offense over the previous month, to 20 points in Week 16.
It’s a dramatic contrast for a club that is without perhaps its greatest pass-rusher, Jaelan Phillips, as well as its starting middle linebacker, Jerome Baker, and starting safety, Jevon Holland.
“Well, every season it’s a new deal,” Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said. “I know it sounds corny, but every season… you’re always hoping and praying that this is the team.”
Christian Wilkins (94) and linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) shown against Dallas that Miami is more than just speed, but the Dolphins will face another major test against the Ravens on Sunday. Navarro, Sam-USA TODAY Sports
“I think what distinguishes this team from others is the leaders we have on offense and defense, as well as guys willing to… hold others accountable to what they need to do.” I’d say that’s what makes this year feel a bit different than maybe a couple of the prior years, given the teams we’ve had.”
Keeping it up against the Ravens will be difficult, especially after Baltimore thrashed the San Francisco 49ers 33-19 in Santa Clara. While the Dolphins’ win over Dallas ensured a postseason berth, a win over the Ravens would give Miami its first AFC East title since 2008 and keep its pursuit of the conference’s top seed alive.
“That was the team’s ultimate goal, so they’d be overjoyed.” In the moment, everything would be secondary to this game and winning this game,” McDaniel said. “You want games like these. You want to compete against the best, and that alone warrants our full focus.
“But you want to talk about a team that will make you pay if you stray from where your focus should be.” They will educate you to respect them quickly and furiously. We have a lot on our plates in that way, but we’re also in a really cool position to be present and enjoy because we’re building on a complete season of work.”
The Dolphins have Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson’s attention, who says the Miami defense is similar to the one he encounters in practice. The Baltimore defense allows a league-low 16.3 points per game.
“The defensive line is phenomenal,” remarked Jackson. “Their secondary is fantastic, as are their linebackers.”
“Yes, I see similarities.”
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