A passing grade for win over Jets? Barely
The Miami Dolphins began the second half of the 2018 season in a favorable manner, by beating a division rival and sweeping the New York Jets to become one of 13 teams in the
NFL in possession of a winning record.
The Dolphins (5-4) need to win at least four more games to stay in the playoff mix, and silence the segment of Miami’s fan base that wants the franchise to start over yet again.
But Miami has been decimated by injuries this season, and outside of the two games left against Buffalo (2-7), every opponent left on the schedule is still in the playoff conversation.
Here is the South Florida Sun Sentinel's report card, evaluating how the Dolphins performed against the New York Jets in Sunday’s win:
Passing Game: F
Brock Osweiler struggled for a second straight game, completing 15-of-24 passes for 139 yards (78.3 passer rating). But he was under constant pressure from the Jets defensive line, which produced four sacks, three of which were on reserve tackle Zach Sterup, who was filling in for Miami’s two injured starters. Miami’s offense continues to be stifled by the team’s third-down struggles (3-of-16 vs. the Jets), and Osweiler’s accuracy issues, which led to a handful of incompletions.
Running Game: D
Miami rushed for fewer than 100 yards for the third time this season, gaining 64 yards on 27 carries (2.4 yards per rush) against the Jets, who are holding opponents to 4.1 yards per carry. The Dolphins leaned heavily on Frank Gore (53 rushing yards on 20 carries) to try to wear down the Jets’ physical defensive front, but the strategy didn’t work. According to coach Adam Gase, every time Kenyan Drake was in the game the Jets called the perfect defense, and it forced Miami to check into another play and that limited Drake to four receptions for 26 yards and three carries for 9 yards.
Defending the pass: A
The Dolphins made Sam Darnold look like an inexperienced rookie quarterback for the second time this season. Darnold completed 21-of-39 passes for 229 yards (31.8 passer rating), but he threw four interceptions, and three of them were right to Dolphins defenders. Kiko Alonso, Jerome Baker, T.J. McDonald and Walt Aikens each pulled down an interception, and Baker produced a pick-six that ensured the victory. The most impressive part of Sunday’s performance is Miami played well in pass coverage without Reshad Jones, who pulled himself out of the game.
Defending the run: A
The Dolphins allowed 600 rushing yards in the previous three games, which motivated Miami to sign defensive linemen Ziggy Hood and Sylvester Williams last week and both played well. The end result was Miami holding the Jets to 73 rushing yards on 20 carries, which was the defense’s secondbest performance against the run this season. Everyone on defense showed improvement when it came to filling their gap, and handling their responsibilities.
Darren Rizzi’s unit continues to be the one reliable constant for this Dolphins team. Jason Sanders made both the field goals he attempted, and his four kickoffs were downed for touchbacks. Matt Haack averaged 42.8 net yards on his nine punts, and put seven of them inside the 20-yard line. Jakeem Grant gained 37 yards on three returns, and the Dolphins held the Jets to 8.5 yards on the two punts they returned.
Coaching: C
Gase’s offense continues to struggle, and at this point it might be time for him to hand over play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains, and just make calls from time to time because the offense needs fixing. Matt Burke’s insistence that he rotate Reshad Jones, a Pro Bowl talent, in-and-out of the game led to Jones pulling himself out the contest, which prompted a sit-down with Gase on Sunday night after the game. Burke and Jones will have to get past this and make their relationship work because this defense is at its best when Jones is on the field.
Stock Up: Wake
In defensive end Cameron Wake’s third game back from the right knee injury that sidelined him for two weeks the five-time Pro Bowler contributed three tackles and two sacks, showing that he’s still got a little juice left in his 36-year-old legs. The Dolphins need Wake to continue to turn the volume up on his pass rushing because Miami needs a disruptive presence on the front line that can occupy an extra blocker, or requires a tight end or tailback to stay in and help protect the pocket.
Stock down: Sterup
Offensive tackle Zach Sterup, who the Dolphins claimed off Cleveland’ practice squad around this time last year, has a massive frame (6 foot 9, 327 pounds), and decent athleticism. But he played as if he was overmatched all game, allowing two sacks and contributing to a third that left guard Ted Larsen shares responsibility for. Miami can’t afford for the team’s backup tackle to be a turnstile when they come on the field, and that’s the second time this season it has happened considering Sam Young’ struggles cost Miami the Cincinnati Bengals game. At this point, the Dolphins need to be shopping for a better backup tackle just in case Ja’Wuan James’ knee injury forces him to miss any games.