5 things we learned from yesterday’s game

AJAYI GETS SEASON OFF TO A GOOD START

Jay Ajayi followed up his Pro Bowl season in 2016 with a 122-yard rushing performance on 28 carries against the Chargers, which routinely featured him shedding tacklers to gain extra yardage. If the Dolphins can remain a run-first offense that feeds off the play-action passing game, this team has a chance to produce a top-15 offense.

CUTLER’S POCKET PRESENCE MAKES SIGNIFICANT DEFENSE

Miami hasn’t had a quarterback move this well in the pocket since Dan Marino. Jay Cutler’s knack for buying time while under pressure allowed the Dolphins to covert a few plays that normally would have turned into sacks with Ryan Tannehill, whose poor pocket presence routinely held the offense back.

TUNSIL WILL HAVE TO PLAY BETTER

On a critical goal-line third down, which could of allowed the Dolphins to tie the game at 17 all, Tunsil allowed Melvin Ingram to beat him one-on-one and take Jay Cutler down for a sack. The Dolphins were forced to kick a 28-yard field goal, but that was the type of play franchise left tackles don’t allow to happen, no matter who the opponent is.

SPECIAL TEAMS UNIT STEPS UP

The Dolphins special teams had been mediocre at best, marked by poor returns by Jakeem Grant and Kenyan Drake, but with a little more than six minutes left in regulation, Drake dragged down Austin Ekeler at the 12 on a kickoff return. A holding call backed up the Chargers more. The Chargers then punted to Grant, who also found redemption with a 14-yard return to the Miami 49, albeit aided mightily by a de-cleating block by Damien Williams on the edge. And, then, Cody Parkey, who this year again gave Miami its first win of a season. However, unlike last year, he went 4-for-4, including the steely 54-yarder with 1:05 left.

POUNCEY AND AJAYI A WINNING FORMULA

Mike Pouncey started, and Jay Ajayi was excellent, continuing a formula from last year. In 2016, in the Dolphins center’s five starts, Ajayi averaged 130 rushing yards a game. He piled up 122 against the Chargers, a far cry from both players missing the season opener, as they did last year.