Dolphins’ run defense among best in NFL

DAVIE — Amid all the talk about Lawrence Timmons, displays of unity and protest during the national anthem, miles traveled, and struggles in the hurryup offense, the Dolphins’ run defense has been a hidden shining light.

The Dolphins, who made run defense an offseason priority, rank fifth in the NFL with 73.5 yards allowed on the ground per game, and fourth in yards per carry allowed (3.1). This after being one of the worst run defenses the past two seasons.

“Numbers lie to you,” defensive coordinator Matt Burke said deadpanned.

But seriously, he likes what’s he’s seen.

“I feel good about where we’ve been in the run game so far,” Burke said.

New Orleans figures to test the Dolphins’ run defense Sunday with its duo of Mark Ingram (28 carries, 125 yards, 4.5 yards per carry) and Adrian Peterson (23 carries, 77 yards, 3.3 yards per carry).

So far, though, the Dolphins have shown improvement with the additions of defensive end William Hayes and defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, along with solid play from returnees such as tackles Ndamukong Suh and Jordan Phillips and ends Cameron Wake and Andre Branch.

“I think guys are doing their job,” head coach Adam Gase said. “We’re having less missed tackles.”

They’ve even done the job with a patchwork linebacker trio of veteran Kiko Alonso and unproven youngsters Mike Hull and COMMENTARY Chase Allen.

The reasons for improvement seem simple — better tackling and better gap control.

Missed tackles and poor gap control were repeatedly named as the biggest downfalls of the run defense the past two years. The Dolphins ranked 30th against the run last year (140.4 yards allowed per game) and 28th in 2015 (126.2).

Gase said the Dolphins had nine missed tackles in Sunday’s 20-6 loss to the New York Jets after having just two in the 19-17 seasonopening victory against the Los Angeles Chargers.

He said five or fewer missed tackles is the reasonable, realistic goal.

But you know things are going well because Gase, who has had few nice things to say about his offense and pass defense recently, has been complimentary the run defense.

And he seems to especially like what he’s seen from the defensive line.

“They are eating up so many double teams with the tackles,” Gase said. “We just have to make sure we fit everything right and then when we have them stopped for two [yards], let’s make it two.”

As for the linebackers, they’ve been aggressive but haven’t necessarily been playmakers.

There’s a chance Timmons makes a contribution in his team debut against the Saints. Burke spoke of him in glowing terms Thursday against both the run and the pass.

“He’s a physical presence,” Burke said. “He’s a good football player, so he’s going to help us out.”

Veteran middle linebacker Rey Maualuga (hamstring) seems a bit farther from a return.

Regardless, the run defense has been solid.

Chargers running back Melvin Gordon was held to 13 yards on nine carries (1.4 yards per carry) in the Dolphins’ opener.

Jets running back Bilal Powell was held to 37 yards on 15 carries (2.5 yards per carry), and Matt Forte was held to 25 yards on eight carries (3.1 yards per carry).

The Saints’ offense is led by quarterback Drew Brees, who has six touchdown passes, no interceptions and a 109.7 passer rating, which is fourth in the NFL.

New Orleans’ rushing attack ranks 18th in the league at 96.7 yards per game and is capable of having a big day.

“I try to stay away from getting too caught up in any numbers right now,” Gase said, echoing Burke. “It’s early in the season. … We want to be the type of team that every week the opponent is going, ‘We’re going to try to run the ball, but it’s going to be really tough for us.’”