Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Turnover ratio a strength
Miami has 8th-best margin
DAVIE — In the past nine games the Miami Dolphins are plus-11 in the turnover margin. It’s a number that helps explain why they’ve won eight of their past nine games since their 1-4 start.
For the season the Dolphins (9-5) are plus-five in turnover margin, which is tied for eighth-best in the NFL, and also helps explain why they’ve had so much success this season.
“I think every team is trying to accomplish the same thing,” coach Adam Gase said Tuesday, “and that’s get turnovers and protect the football.”
The Dolphins’ knack for creating turnovers – their 16 interceptions are tied for second in the league, and their nine fumble recoveries are tied for 14th — and not turning the ball over offer them a way to win games.
Their 13 interceptions thrown are tied for 19th in the NFL, and their seven lost fumbles are tied for seventh-fewest. Their 20 turnovers are tied for 17th fewest in the league.
“They’ve been doing an outstanding job,” Buffalo coach Rex Ryan said, “especially during this eight out of nine streak.”
In winning eight of their past nine games, the Dolphins have won the turnover battle in five of those eight victories, and were tied in the other two.
Their only loss in that stretch, at Baltimore, is the game the Dolphins lost the turnover battle, 3-2.
The Dolphins enter Saturday’s game at Buffalo with their best takeaway/ giveaway margin since 2008, when they were plus-17.
The defense gets much of the credit. Six of Miami’s past seven opponents have committed two or more turnovers, and three had four turnovers.
“We do have a defense that has a knack for creating turnovers,” Gase said.
Middle linebacker Kiko Alonso has overcome year knee problems and is tied for the NFL lead with four recovered fumbles. Defensive end Cameron Wake has caused five fumbles, which is tied for second in the league. Cornerback Tony Lippett has four interceptions, tied for sixth. He had two interceptions against the New York Jets last week.
“This last game was a good indication of why we like him over there,” Gase said. “His ball skills are unique for a corner, and when he gets his hands on the ball, he usually brings it down.”
Miami’s depth at cornerback has paid off recently in many ways. Nickelback Bobby McCain tipped a pass that linebacker Mike Hull intercepted against Arizona. Rookie Xavien Howard came back last week to play 68 snaps after a nine-game layoff and played well. Byron Maxwell, who has two interceptions, has been entrusted with shadowing bigger wide receivers such as Brandon Marshall of the New York Jets, Terrelle Pryor of Cleveland and Kenny Britt of the Los Angeles Rams.
“I look at the Denver Broncos, they’ve got three or four guys that can be called upon — as far as in the secondary — that can play,” Maxwell said. “So we definitely are trying to be that type of team.”
The defensive line, while lacking against the run, has created problems for a number of opponents with its pass rush leading to poor decisions by quarterbacks and its ability to strip quarterbacks and running backs of the ball.
Miami’s 16 interceptions are just shy of the 18 they had in 2013, a total they also had in 2008.
As for taking care of the ball the Dolphins have slipped recently with seven turnovers in their past three games. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw 12 interceptions in 12 games before injuring his knee.
Still, the Dolphins have been able to create turnovers and protect the ball at a pace that has them in the thick of the AFC playoff race. Even when they mess up things turn out well.
“When we do put a ball on the ground, you saw it last week, we had four guys around the ball,” said Gase.