Fitzpatrick’s production delivers lift to offense
DAVIE — A victory during a season of struggles can often help release pent up frustration and stress.
Maybe that’s the effect Sunday’s 26-18 win over the New York Jets has on the Miami Dolphins (1-7) heading into the second half of the season.
Here is the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s report card, evaluating how the Dolphins performed in their win over the Jets:
Passing Game: A
Since replacing Josh Rosen as Miami’s starting quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick has produced a 95.3 passer rating and is completing 65% of his passes with seven touchdowns and three interceptions. His performance against the Jets — 24-of-36 passes completed for 288 yards and three touchdowns — is the best performance he’s had as a Dolphins player. The Dolphins passing game is clearly improving with Fitzpatrick at the helm, but Miami needs to cut down on the amount of sacks allowed (four against the Jets).
Running Game: F
Miami’s run game continues to struggle, producing 50 rushing yards on 24 carries. That’s a dismal 2.1 yards per carry average, which isn’t acceptable under any circumstances, especially considering how decimated the Jets defensive front was because of injuries. Mark Walton, who gained 29 yards on 12 attempts, has fallen short of expectations since becoming Miami’s starter four games ago and is now suspended. His yards per carry average has dropped from 4.6 per attempt to 3.8 the past few weeks. At this point, Miami should try getting Patrick Laird into the mix because it couldn’t hurt.
Defending the Pass: B
Even without Xavien Howard and Reshad Jones, the Dolphins’ top talents in the secondary, Miami managed to confuse and frustrate Jets quarterback Sam Darnold, who was sacked three times, threw an interception, and delivered a safety when he failed to secure a shotgun snap in the end zone. The Dolphins are allowing a league-high 114.7 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks, but it seems as if all the waiver wire finds, and former practice squad players the Dolphins are using in the secondary are improving because players like Jomal Wiltz and Nik Needham are starting to make plays.
Defending the Run: B
The Dolphins limited an opponent to fewer than 100 rushing yards for the second time all season, holding the Jets to 83 rushing yards on 21 attempts. Having Raekwon McMillan and Sam Eguavoen switch roles has created a massive difference to the run defense. Le’Veon Bell gained 66 rushing yards on 17 carries. The Dolphins defensive line finally owned the line of scrimmage against an injury-decimated Jets offensive line. The major question is, can the Dolphins build off this success?
Special Teams: C
Vyncint Smith delivered a 78-yard kickoff right before the half, which nearly turned into a touchdown. A touchback would have been ideal in that situation. Jakeem Grant continues to be a non-factor in the return game. With Preston Williams’ season over because of the knee injury he suffered against the Jets, Grant will likely return as Miami’s punt returner. Grant, who has struggled as a returner all season, needs to show he’s still a threat to score every time he touches the ball.
Coaching: B
The Dolphins offense converted 6-of-12 third-down opportunities, which is a remarkable accomplishment considering how much that unit has struggled on those critical downs, which keep drives alive. If Miami can ever get this offensive line settled, keeping a starting unit together for more than one or two games, this offense might get to the next level and average 24 points a game. The defense produced a season-high three sacks and recorded a safety, which shows that this defensive front does have some bite to it.
Stock up
Mike Gesicki was terrible as a rookie, but it appears plenty of his struggles can be credited to poor coaching because the Dolphins’ 2018 second-round pick has turned into a weapon in the passing game this season. Against the Jets, Gesicki caught a career-high six passes for 95 yards. He’s already produced 46 more receiving yards than last year’s total, and did so on one fewer catch. He also has eight more games to play this season. The biggest difference in Gesicki’s game is he’s running his routes at a faster pace, which has helped him get open.
Stock down
Evan Boehm was a standout performer in his first four starts, where he served as a fill-in starter at right guard and center. But against the Jets Boehm struggled. He was consistently pushed around by Leonard Williams, and could be spotted in Miami’s backfield most of the game. It would benefit Miami if Daniel Kilgore, who has been sidelined by a knee injury the past three weeks, was healthy enough to play against the Colts. That would allow Boehm to move back to right guard, where Miami used a platoon of veterans (Chris Reed and Keaton Sutherland) Sunday because Miami’s coaches feel Shaq Calhoun has hit the rookie wall.