Not surprising, Omar Kelly gives Miami failing grades for its effort against the Jets.
Whether the Miami Dolphins were tired or overconfident in Sunday’s embarrassing 20-6 loss to the New York Jets, the performance should be a gut-check moment. Being humbled usually does. Adam Gase and his Dolphins need to figure out how to rebound from Sunday’s surprising loss to a previously winless team that many would say is trying to tank in hopes of getting the No. 1 pick in next year’s NFL draft. This is a chance to create an offensive identity that can carry the team throughout the 2017 season, but before that happens plenty of issues need to be addressed.
Here is the Sun Sentinel’s report card, evaluating how the Dolphins’ performance against the Jets:
Passing Game: F
The Dolphins’ passing game was plagued by a significant amount of drops and misplaced passes, and Jay Cutler was under constant pressure (three sacks). Cutler, who produced a 70.3 passer rating, needs to get into a rhythm Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. Tight end Julius Thomas was a non-factor for the second straight game. The Dolphins need to find an easier way to get the passing game into a groove without relying on play-action plays.
Running Game: F
Jay Ajayi was consistently hit in the backfield because Miami’s offensive line struggled blocking the Jets’ defensive front. The longest run Ajayi, who gained 16 yards on 11 carries, had was for 8 yards. The Dolphins eventually abandoned the run in the second half, but 30 rushing yards won’t cut it considering Miami’s offense is built around the run game.
Defending the pass: D
Josh McCown owns a 78.7 career passer rating based on how he’s performed in his 65 starts over the past 15 years, but against the Dolphins, McCown had a 126.3 rating. The Dolphins defensive front sparingly harassed McCown, who was sacked twice, and the secondary continues to give opposing receivers too much space to work by playing soft-man coverage. If a career backup can produce that type of performance, just imagine what next Sunday’s opponent, Drew Brees, can do?
Defending the run: C-
The Dolphins’ defense followed up the team’s impressive run-stopping performance against the Chargers by allowing 103 yards and a touchdown on the Jets’ 34 carries. However, the Jets’ longest run was for 12 yards, and the Jets averaged just 3.0 yards per attempt. But plenty of those ineffective runs occurred late in the game when the Jets were simply trying to run the clock out. Miami needs better play from the team’s linebackers to alleviate some of the pressure placed on the secondary to help in run support.
Special teams: D
The Dolphins faked a punt early in the game and failed to convert the fourth down, giving the Jets good field position. Jakeem Grant muffed his first punt of the season, but managed to recover it. And new kicker Cody Parkey missed his first extrapoint attempt of the season. The Dolphins need to find a way to have their kickoff returns set up better field position.
Coaching: F
Miami’s offense never got into a rhythm because the running game kept getting stuffed, and Adam Gase never decided to open up the passing game to spread out the Jets’ defense. The offense would have benefited from better use of the tight ends and tailbacks in the passing game. Miami’s defense continues to struggle with how far off they are defending opposing receivers, and it’s leading to easy passes.
Stock up: Chase Allen
Allen has been called on to become a starter because of Lawrence Timmons’ suspension. Allen, a undrafted rookie from Southern Illinois, contributed seven tackles in his 28 snaps. His second straight respectable performance indicates that the Dolphins could possibly put more on his plate.
Stock down: Alterraun Verner
Verner played nine snaps on Sunday because Byron Maxwell suffered an eye injury, and one of those plays featured him allowing a 69-yard touchdown. Verner, who at one point was an NFL starter, has to prove he can be a more reliable option moving forward because the Dolphins need a capable backup. If Sunday was the best he can do, the Dolphins need to keep rookie Cordrea Tanksersley active for games and give him that third-cornerback role.