The Miami Dolphins had been 2-6 and getting ready to shedding their season heading into their Monday Night time tilt towards the Los Angeles Rams. With their backs towards the wall, the Dolphins turned in a 23-15 victory over the Rams that basically saved their season.
Whereas most affiliate the Dolphins with explosive, excessive quantity offense, it was the protection that saved their season. At first of the yr, I used to be extremely optimistic about this protection, and towards the Rams they turned of their finest efficiency of the season.
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It was an unimaginable efficiency by the Dolphins’ protection, one which I used to be excited to see. Let’s dig in and see how they did it.
First, they acquired an unimaginable efficiency from the line of defense. The Dolphins pressured QB Matthew Stafford 17 instances on Monday, regardless of solely blitzing on 4 of his dropbacks. The mix of Zach Seiler, Calais Campbell and Chop Robinson had Stafford combating for his life within the pocket, which made the whole lot work so significantly better for the secondary.
Robinson actually stood out. As a rookie, he was solely presupposed to be introduced on for spot go rush snaps, however due to the accidents to EDGEs Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips he’s been pressured into extra play. He’s regarded good for this protection in his function this season, and he was rewarded with a sack on Monday. He’s presupposed to be operating a decide for the defensive sort out, however as a result of he’s so darn quick off the ball, he will get to the QB earlier than he can set the stunt appropriately. The Rams slide their safety to the formation’s left, and depart the appropriate aspect in man safety. Robinson darts inside and will get a sack on the play.
Not solely was the stress getting house, however they had been rattling Stafford as effectively. LB Anthony Walker runs a decide for the defensive sort out, however this time it’s from depth, knocking again the middle. The DT wraps round and Walker barely will get there, however the imminent stress forces an errant throw from Stafford. Anthony Weaver had all of the buttons engaged on Monday.
Stafford missed some throws yesterday (this one included), however the stress from Anthony Walker on the stunt positively impacted Stafford’s processing.
Anthony Weaver had all of the options. What a recreation from the defensive. #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/MWVmHVKNzj
— Kevin Fielder (@RivalsFielder) November 12, 2024
This sack from Jevon Holland was tremendous cool, and confirmed how the Dolphins’ protection had the Rams in a blender. The Dolphins line up with seven defenders on the line of scrimmage, however the Rams name out the blitz. They get everybody to slip to their left the place the blitz was supposed to return from. However proper earlier than the snap, the Dolphins flip the blitz name to the appropriate, leaving the Rams out within the chilly. LB Jordyn Brooks picks for Robinson, who will get free and finishes the sack with Holland. Simply an unimaginable general efficiency by a Dolphins staff that desperately wants it.
Chop Robinson has struggled this season, little doubt about it.
However the final two weeks? Excessive-level soccer from the rookie. He is figuring it out, which is what you need.
The sacks will maintain coming as a result of the method is there. May’ve been his finest recreation as a NFL participant. pic.twitter.com/Ku6z29ohGw
— Kevin Fielder (@RivalsFielder) November 12, 2024
The Dolphins basically saved their season with a win on Monday evening. Whereas the offense goes via its’ lulls— QB Tua Tagovailoa had some ups and downs—it was the protection that saved the day. This complete season, Miami’s protection has been twelfth in EPA per play allowed, and with a fairly gentle schedule arising, they’ll journey that protection all the best way into backdooring the AFC and making the playoffs.
