With sacks and interceptions, defense turns in best performance of the season
– Maybe, it was the Miami Dolphins coaching staff’s familiarity with Jimmy Garoppolo.
Maybe Garoppolo simply was unready for the challenge in his first game back from a high ankle sprain.
But don’t fault the Dolphins defense for taking advantage.
Dolphins linebacker Jerome Baker, defensive tackle Zach Sieler, linebacker Elandon Roberts, outside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel and defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah each had a sack.
Dolphins safetyBobbyMcCain and cornerback Xavien Howard each had an interception of Garoppolo in the final two minutes of the first half.
And defensive tackle Christian Wilkins even jumped on a fumble forced after a sack as the Dolphins (2-3) played their best defensive game of the season in Miami’s 43-17 blowout win over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday at Levi Stadium.
“You get a few turnovers there and every time you see the other quarterback getting sacked or hit, or getting off the field on third down or fourth down, that’s a huge boost for our offense,” Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said of Miami’s defense.
“I think we played really well together today, and this was a great team win on both sides of the football.”
Garopollo completed only 7-of-17passes for 77 yards with his two interceptions and a 15.7 passer rating during the first half, while backup C.J. Beathard finished 9 of 18 with 94 yards and a touchdown to Kendrick Bourne in the third quarter.
The Dolphins defense were fortunate cornerback Byron Jones, the team’s highest paid player returned to action, while rookie cornerback Noah Igbinoghene did not play most of the game after giving up several touchdowns during the first month of the season.
The Dolphins held the 49ers to 259 yards of offense, and just two total touchdowns on the day.
Sanders is red hot
One week after kicking five goals, Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders kicked five more again in Sunday’s win over the 49ers.
Sanders has successfully kicked 16 consecutive made field goals to start this season, tied for third-most in team history with Garo Yepremian (1978) and OlindoMare (2000).
“Every kick is important to him. This guy is diligent about his craft as anyone I’ve been around,” Dolphins coach Brian Flores said of Sanders. “I’ve been really proud of the success he’s had.”
Rookie starts onO-line
The Dolphins turned to a coveted draft pick to make his first career start as the team hopes to reconfigure its offensive line with a valuable starter expected to miss some time due to injury.
Dolphins rookie Robert Hunt, one of two second-round picks by Miami in the 2020 NFL draft in April, started at right tackle while veteran Jesse Davismoved to left tackle in Sunday’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.
The moves have been necessitated after starting left tackle Austin Jackson, one of three firstround picks by Miami this year, joined the team’s injured reserve list due to a foot injury suffered lastweek.
It was the first start for Hunt, the No. 39 pick for Miami in the second round, after making brief appearances as a sixth offensive linemen in some offensive plays in the first four games of the season.
WithHunt, whois projected to play either right tackle or right guard in the NFL, starting the Dolphins will get an opportunity to see how another one of their valuable draft picks could pan out during their rebuilding process.
As a result, the Dolphins will depend on Davis, who is Miami’s most reliable linemen despite his fair share of successes and struggles as a starter, to make his first start these season at left tackle.
Davis started the first four games at right tackle and has also played right guard and left guard at times during his four-year career in Miami. Sunday’s move allows the Dolphins to evaluate Hunt in Jackson’s absence.
Left guard Ereck Flowers, center Ted Karras and rookie right guard Solomon Kindley, a fourthround pick this year, rounded out
Miami’s offensive game.
If Hunt or Davis struggle Sunday or Miami wants to further evaluate its options on the offensive line, the Dolphins may turn to backup left tackle Julien Davenport to take some snaps.
Davenport, a four-year veteran who struggled at times in his eight starts at left tackle for Miami last season, came on in relief of Jackson after he suffered the injury last week against the Seattle Seahawks. line
Asurprise inactive
for
Sunday’s
The Dolphins were without running back Jordan Howard, the offseason acquisition who was made inactive for Sunday’s game.
Howard, who signed a twoyear, $9.75 million deal with Miami this past offseason, leads the team with three rushing touchdowns, but all have been scored from the 1-yard line. Howard has 14 yards on 18 total carries this season.
Miami was without in-line blocking tight end Durham Smythe, who missed practiced last week with a knee injury. Tight end Adam Shaheen filled Smythe’s role when the team needed an extra blocker on some offensive plays.
Defensive end Shaq Lawson was also ruled out with a shoulder injury, while wide receiver Malcolm Perry, defensive end Jason Strowbridge and running back SalvonAhmedwere be inactive for Miami.