Omar Kelly: Banged-up D-line’s play offensive.
Injuries force practice squad players onto field — and Lions take advantage by dominating for 248 rushing yards
MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins can talk up their “nextman-up” approach all they want, but when a defensive front has to rely on numerous former practice squad players for more than a game or two because of injuries, problems arise.
The Detroit Lions put up the franchise’s most rushing yards — 248 on 35 attempts — against an opponent in two decades on Sunday, coming 1-yard shy of a rushing output Hall of Famer Barry Sanders produced in 1997.
Detroit’s dominance on the ground in the Lions’ 31-21 win triggered a systematic collapse of the unit that had propped up the Dolphins (4-3) like a kickstand this season.
The Lions scored points on eight of nine possessions.
The game was so one-sided Lions punter Sam Martin only punted the ball once.
“We didn’t play very well against the run,” said coach Adam Gase, whose defense is allowing 139.3 rushing yards per game and 5.3 yards per attempt. “Basically, they could do whatever they wanted on that side of the ball. It’s just kind of unusual for our guys.”
Rookie tailback Kerryon Johnson gained 71 of his 158 yards on one big run.
Lions left guard Frank Ragnow pulled to the right on the draw play and cleaned out Kiko Alonso, turning the Dolphins’ best linebacker out his gap. From there it was a foot race between Johnson and safety Reshad Jones, who stopped him at the 20-yard line.
“I didn't get touched until I got tackled. In my mind, that's great,” Johnson said. “That means I know what those guys up front are doing, and I know our game plan is going to stay true to itself.”
And it did. The Lions were able to do whatever they wanted offensively against the Dolphins, who got starting defensive end Cameron Wake back from a two-game absence, which was caused by a knee injury.
But Wake, who didn’t contribute a tackle on Sunday, seamed a step slow all game, and his alignment was so wide on numerous plays it contributed to Miami’s struggles setting the edge on run plays.
Making matters worse, Robert Quinn and Andre Branch, the other veteran defensive ends, weren’t much better at setting the edge against Detroit.
“They had some runs that got on our edges real fast,” said defensive tackle Akeem Spence, who recorded a season-high six tackles. “They had some traps in there that go against our attack fronts, and did a good job. Chris [Kocurek] used to coach up there for nine years so they know how we were playing up front.”
Spence is referring to Kocurek, the Dolphins’ defensive line coach, who utilizes wide-9 approach with twists and stunts between the ends and tackles. It appears the Dolphins got caught up in a few of them on running plays.
“Guys have to be in their fits,” Spence added. “That’s no excuse.”
LeGarrette Blount bludgeoned Miami for 50 yards and one touchdown on 10 attempts. His 5-yard touchdown run came on a play where Nick Bellore blasted Dolphins linebacker Raekwon McMillan, creating a crease to the end zone.
Much like what happened in Miami’s 38-7 loss to the New England Patriots, who gained 175 rushing yards and scored two rushing touchdowns on Miami, the Lions consistently got their offensive linemen on Miami’s linebackers, creating numerous big runs that produced 12 first downs.
“Communication has got to be on the same page,” said Dolphins rookie linebacker Jerome Baker, who left the game late because of an undisclosed injury. “We have to execute.”
Dolphins defenders blamed their issues on the lack of pre-snap communication.
“We weren’t getting set,” safety T.J. McDonald said. “It wasn’t something we didn’t see [on film]. We didn’t lined up fast enough and they played better than us.
“It’s disappointing. But the feeling that we have right now, I’m ready to play tomorrow.”
Considering the Dolphins play the Houston Texans on Thursday night, McDonald and the Dolphins defense won’t have to wait long for their chance at redemption.