Things we learned from yesterday’s game
Dolphins continue team’s road struggles under Adam Gase
The Dolphins have won one of their past 12 games on the road, a dismal stretch going back to the 2017 season. If that wasn’t troublesome enough, Miami has been dominated most of those contests considering the point differential is minus-204 points. The Dolphins, who have been outscored by 98 points in their seven road contests this season, have tried various strategies to improve the team’s performance on the road, like going to the game a day early three times this season. Clearly nothing has been successful. One way or another, the Dec. 30 season finale at Buffalo will be critical because Miami needs a win to either get the team at .500 for the season, or to deliver a winning record.
Dolphins happy to be done with NFC North and its RBs
The Dolphins ended up allowing 827 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in their quartet of games against teams from the NFC North. The carnage came on 131 carries for a ghastly 6.3 yards per run. The fewest yards allowed in the sequence was the 164 against the Chicago Bears. The Minnesota Vikings rolled for 220 yards, the Green Bay Packers ran for 195 and the Detroit Lions annihilated Miami with 248.
Kalen Ballage produces with extra touches
Ballage has been impressing Miami’s coaches and his teammates all season with his play in practices, and on Sunday he took advantage of his opportunity to impress in a game. Ballage, who replaced an injured Frank Gore as Miami’s featured runner, gained 123 rushing yards on 12 carries and scored a touchdown off a 75-yard run. His contributions as a runner were critical because Kenyan Drake is nursing a shoulder injury that makes Miami’s coaches careful about how they utilize him. Ballage has an impressive blend of size and speed, but needs to gain a better mastery of pass protection.
Miami is threatening an ignominious club record
The Dolphins head into the Jacksonville game having been outgained by 1,402 yards this season (that’s more than 100 yards per game). The worst net yardage for Miami in a season came in the team’s second year of existence, when the 1967 Dolphins allowed 1,321 more yards than they gained in a 14-game season. Even the one-win 2007 team was only outgained by 875 yards in 16 games.
Cornerbacks make Miami’s starting receivers disappear
Minnesota’s starting cornerbacks held Miami’s starting receivers to four receptions for 47 yards, and the bulk of that production came from Danny Amendola, who caught three of eight passes thrown his way for 30 yards. Kenny Stills caught one of the three passes for 17 yards, and DeVante Parker was forced to become a defender on the one pass thrown his way, knocking down a possible interception in the end zone at the end of the first half. It’s become obvious that the Dolphins need to upgrade the receiver unit in the offseason. More lessons from yesterday’s game online at SunSentinel.com/dolphins