The title of this article bares mentioning that the Miami Dolphins today scored 15 points and lost what most thought was a winnable game.
Despite the Miami defense owning the line of scrimmage early on, it took a lot of running back Knile Davis of the Chiefs to prove that the Miami run defense bares taking a longer look by this coaching staff.
All in all, the stat lines on both sides of the ball are quite deceiving.
First, it starts with Ryan Tannehill, who played yet another subpar, lackluster, anemic game stat-wise.
Tannehill passed for a paltry 205 yards, threw 1 TD to his favorite receiver Brian Hartline, and was sacked four times. Tannehill (21-43) misfired on several throws and many throws were catchable but dropped by receivers. The most telling stat of the day was Tannehill averaging 4.8 yards per play. Tannehill, to his credit hit Mike Wallace early and often and throughout the game for 5 receptions on 74 yards, but yet targeted him 12 times. Wallace and Brian Hartline seemed to be the only receivers Tannehill found. Tannehill did not hit Wallace deep and the vertical option didn’t seem to be used often by OC Bill Lazor.
One big question, where was tight end Charles Clay and why not go deep to anyone to draw a flag versus a desperate Kansas City defense?
On the ground, running back Lamar Miller picked up the slack by rushing the ball 15 times for 108 yards. Not bad for a supposedly change of pace back facing a ferocious front of Tamba Hali and Dontari Poe who owned the line of scrimmage versus the pass.
On defense, the Dolphins collected 5 sacks of Alex Smith, with Derrick Shelby, Randy Starks, Jelani Jenkins, and Olivier Vernon providing a steady pass rush. In fact, late in the 3rd quarter, Jelani Jenkins was credited for a safety by sacking Alex Smith in the end zone.
The most telling stat was the Dolphins getting worked versus the run. Dolphins linebackers, corners, and safeties are responsible for not stopping Knile Davis: 32 carries for 132 yards. The Dolphins in addition missed Joe McKnight who seemed to get into space on screen passes and dump offs.
All in all, the Dolphins played poorly and could muster only 15 points.
15 points doesn’t earn wins in the NFL unless you have a spectacular defense. The Dolphins can’t rely on any one unit to carry the team. Across the board, they are just that, lack luster. Very little emotion, effort, or panic is being shown by the players.
However, it has been said, that most players didn’t stick around after the game for interviews.
That doesn’t bode well nor does it look good for a team who must play another AFC foe in the Oakland Raiders in less than 6 days in London. Home game for the Raiders.
It’s up to the coaches to get the team prepared to win next week in London versus a hungry 0-3 Oakland Raiders team. One that features an unknown rookie quarterback in Derek Carr.
Time for the Dolphins to stop slipping and step up because their season depends on it.
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