Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Landry’s stock rises as defense, run game, fall
The Miami Dolphins were taught a valuable lesson about the difference between regular season and playoff football Sunday.
Pittsburgh dialed up the intensity against a team that had embarrassed them back in October, and the Steelers had a higher level of execution in a 30-12 win that ended Miami’s season.
The Dolphins pride themselves on being a scrappy bunch that overcomes adversity, but it became evident they had nothing left to give. Maybe Sunday’s game would have played out differently if Miami had Reshad Jones, Mike Pouncey, Koa Misi, Isa AbdulQuddus and Byron Maxwell healthy.
But even then it is hard to imagine the Dolphins matching Pittsburgh’s intensity and execution.
Here is the Sun Sentinel’s report card, evaluating how the Dolphins performed against the Steelers.
Passing game
Matt Moore was efficient, completing 14 straight passes at one point. For the game, he completed 29-of-36 passes for 289 yards and one touchdown (97.8 passer rating). The problem is, Miami’s offensive line couldn’t protect Moore, who was sacked five times and threw one interception on a well executed play by Pittsburgh’s defense. Moore also leaned too heavily on Jarvis Landry (14 targets) and should have involved his other weapons more.
Grade: C-plus
Running game
The Dolphins’ run game got suffocated by Pittsburgh, which got embarrassed in their first meeting, allowing Jay Ajayi to rush for 204 yards. This time around, Ajayi only rushed for 33 yards on 16 carries before suffering a shoulder injury. The Dolphins gained 52 rushing yards on 21 rushing attempts, averaging 2.5 yards per carry.
Grade: F
Defending the pass
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was sharp in the first half, especially when it came to finding Pro Bowl receiver Antonio Brown, who caught five passes for 124 yards and scored his two touchdowns in the first quarter. Roethlisberger (105.3 passer rating) only threw six passes in the second half, and one of them was a fourth-quarter interception by rookie cornerback Xavien Howard. Miami forced two turnovers, but neither of them were a factor in the game.
Grade: D
Defending the run
The Dolphins struggled against the run all season, so it should surprise nobody that Pro Bowl tailback Le’Veon Bell gained 167 yards on 29 carries (5.8 yards per attempt) and scored two rushing touchdowns. Miami’s defensive line got manhandled by the Steelers, and the Dolphins’ linebackers and safeties had tackling issues all game. Grade: F
Special teams
The Dolphins converted a fourth down on a fake punt, when safety Michael Thomas took the direct snap and ran for three yards. Andrew Franks made bothfield goals he attempted, and rookie Kenyan Drake contributed 101 yards on three kickoff returns, which included a 58-yarder. Fellow rookie Jakeem Grant dropped yet another return, which continues to raise concern about his status as Miami’s primary return specialist in the future.
Grade: B
Coaching
Adam Gase couldn’t get his team to play complementary football. The offense leaned heavily on the passing game because of the struggles running the football, and Moore committed three turnovers (two fumbles lost and one interception). And the defense was a disaster all game. It couldn’t stop any aspect of Pittsburgh’s offense, and all of the blame can go to the players. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph put his unit in some compromising positions.
Grade: C
Stock up
Jarvis Landry delivered first downs and clutch catches against the Steelers, despite all the extra attention Pittsburgh sent his way. Miami’s leading receiver caught 11 of the 14 passes thrown to him, for 102 yards. His knack for shaking defenders and producing yards after contact allowed Landry to serve as the heartbeat for Miami’s offense.
Stock down
Every member of the Dolphins’ defensive line was easily moved off the line of scrimmage by the Steelers’ offensive line. And Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh (four tackles) lost his one-on-one battle with Steelers guard David DeCastro often. Suh did produce the Dolphins’ lone sack, but his struggles against the run Sunday help explain why the Dolphins’ opponents averaged 140 rushing yards against them this season.