What a day it was in Miami Gardens on Sunday when the Miami Dolphins outlasted the New York Jets, defeating their visiting division rivals by a rating of 32-26 in time beyond regulation!
The Jets took a 3 level lead with lower than a minute to play after settling for a 42-yard subject objective after driving the size of the sphere in opposition to the Dolphins protection. Simply when all hope appeared misplaced, Miami’s rookie kick returner, Malik Washington, took the following kickoff, weaved out and in of New York’s particular groups unit, trucked kicker Anders Carlson, earlier than being tackled close to midfield.
The electrical return allowed Miami’s offense to maneuver into subject objective place themselves, and Jason Sanders’ clutch 52-yard boot despatched the tightly contested recreation into time beyond regulation.
The Dolphins gained the coin toss, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa instantly marched his squad down the sphere, earlier than calling “recreation” with a 10-yard scoring dart to tight finish Jonnu Smith to ship the stinkin’ Jets again north with tears of their eyes.
Whereas it was a irritating recreation for many of the afternoon, the great guys in aqua and orange got here out on high, preserving their slim playoff hopes alive for one more week. Now, lets have a look again on the good, dangerous and ugly from Miami’s thrilling time beyond regulation victory.
GOOD
Dolphins patchwork offensive line doesn’t enable sack in opposition to stout Jets entrance
With Miami’s beginning left deal with Terron Armstead being held collectively by popsicle sticks and prayers, beginning proper deal with Austin Jackson on the shelf as a consequence of a knee damage, and each beginning guards enjoying shaky ball at instances, Dolphins followers discovered themselves feeling a bit queasy when Armstead left the sport throughout Miami’s first offensive possession on Sunday.
Would the staff’s offensive line have the ability to maintain up in opposition to a strong Jets defensive entrance?
The group answered that query with a convincing “sure,” preserving their quarterback’s white jersey clear all afternoon — not permitting a single sack, nor a single quarterback hit on 47 passing makes an attempt. In actual fact, the one time Tagovailoa was touched was on a roughing the passer name on Jets defensive lineman Quinnen Williams.
I’ll admit that I wasn’t a fan of the Patrick Paul choice on this yr’s NFL Draft, nonetheless the rookie left deal with had himself a stellar displaying in his first bit of intensive motion as an expert. If his play right this moment was indicative of how he’ll proceed to play shifting ahead, the Dolphins received themselves a steal within the second spherical again in April.
BAD
Dolphins protection continues to overlook tackles at an alarming price
The New York Jets have proficient gamers on offense regardless of their 3-9 file heading into Sunday’s contest. The Miami Dolphins made these gamers appear to be world beaters by persevering with their unnerving development of lacking tackles on protection in bunches.
The Jets took their first lead of the day within the second quarter on an Isaiah Davis 17-yard landing scamper that noticed a number of Dolphins defenders whiff on deal with makes an attempt.
The staff continued to battle bringing New York ability place gamers to the bottom all through the remainder of the sport, and really made a 41-year-old Aaron Rodgers appear to be a spry whippersnapper whereas breaking just a few takedown makes an attempt himself.
After lacking 20+ tackles in opposition to the Inexperienced Bay Packers within the frigid temps of Lambeau Subject on Thanksgiving evening, followers weren’t comfortable to see the identical points pop up once more when enjoying in sunny South Florida. Miami might want to get their defensive fundamentals again as much as snuff in the event that they wish to proceed to maintain their razor skinny playoff possibilities alive in opposition to a really proficient Houston Texans offense this upcoming weekend.
UGLY
Dolphins enable Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers to throw for 300+ yards for the primary time in final 35 video games
As talked about above, Aaron Rodgers is a 41-year-old man. Nonetheless, at one time in his Corridor-of-Fame profession, he was probably the most feared passers within the Nationwide Soccer League. These days have come and gone, with the gray-haired former gunslinger averaging simply 221 yards passing per recreation this season.
On Sunday, Miami allowed Rodgers to show again the clock — passing for 339 yards in opposition to a protection that had almost a full complement of beginning defensive backs at their disposal.
It was the primary time in 35 (THIRTY-FIVE!) video games that Rodgers had topped the 300-yard mark. After all he needed to break that doubtful streak in opposition to Miami, proper?
The Dolphins have the oldest defensive unit within the NFL, and because the season rolls on, you possibly can see simply how drained these historic knees are feeling. The senior members of Anthony Weaver’s group might want to dig deep in the event that they wish to end the season robust, as a result of they will’t depend on offensive magic every week to bail them out.
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The Dolphins pulled off the comeback in opposition to a staff that many predicted they might deal with reasonably simply. However, as at all times, a win is a win and it was good to get again on the fitting facet of the ultimate scoreboard. Do you assume the protection can determine issues out earlier than a pivotal matchup in Houston this weekend? Let me know within the feedback beneath or on Twitter at @MBrave13. Fins up!
