MIAMI GARDENS — OK, now that the Miami Dolphins’ season has your attention for reasons other than getting the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs, it’s time to take a look at whether the Dolphins (9-4) can win their short-week game against the New York Jets (5-8) on Sunday, and consider whether wide receiver Tyreek Hill will be limited in any way.
One thing that emerged from Monday’s shocking 28-27 loss to Tennessee is that health is becoming more of a factor for the Dolphins as the season progresses, and Hill’s health is No. 1 on that list.
If Hill is slowed, things could get interesting very quickly for the Dolphins despite having a defense that has scored on a pick-six in three consecutive games.
Here are some things to watch for in Sunday’s 1 p.m. game at Hard Rock Stadium:
Tyreek Hill’s left ankle
A large part of Miami’s offense relies on Hill, the NFL’s leading receiver with 1,542 yards. We saw that last week against Tennessee when he sustained a left ankle injury in the first quarter and was never the same the rest of the night. If Hill doesn’t have that burst, that extra gear that makes him a future Hall of Famer, Miami’s offense is much easier to defend.
The Titans didn’t have major problems absorbing productive nights by running back Raheem Mostert (21 carries, 96 yards, two touchdowns) and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (six receptions, 79 yards). Without the threat of Hill, they held the Dolphins offense to just two touchdowns, both of which came in the fourth quarter and on a short field thanks to special teams and defensive turnovers.
Miami could use some big plays from Mostert (924 yards, second in NFL) and fellow running back De’Von Achane (9.2 yards per carry).
Dolphins’ offensive line is stretching the effectiveness of ‘next man up’
Center Connor Williams (knee) is out for the rest of the season. Left tackle Terron Armstead, who has battled knee, quadriceps and ankle injuries recently, is questionable for the Jets game. And right guard Rob Hunt (hamstring) is doubtful, according to coach Mike McDaniel.
Miami is relying heavily on center Liam Eichenberg, left tackle Kendall Lamm, left guard Lester Cotton and right guard Robert Jones.
This offensive line/pass protection package, which allowed five sacks vs. the Titans on Monday, is at the edge of the “next man up” thing. There’s a chance the next man up, through no fault of his own, might be so far down on the depth chart that he’s not good enough.
Dolphins’ pass rush must take charge
Miami only had one sack against Tennessee despite having eight quarterback hits. That can’t happen this week against Jets quarterback Zach Wilson.
The pass rush must finish plays.
Edge rusher Bradley Chubb (6.5 sacks), linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel (4.0 sacks) and Emmanuel Ogbah (4.5 sacks), and defensive linemen Christian Wilkins (team-leading and career-best 7.5 sacks) and Zach Sieler (career-best 7.5 sacks) must move Wilson off his spot as cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey (three interceptions) and Xavien Howard (one interception) provide lockdown coverage.
Miami has acquired veteran pass rushers Jason Pierre-Paul and Melvin Ingram recently and perhaps either or both get playing time Sunday.
Considering defensive coordinator Vic Fangio doesn’t blitz frequently, the pass rush must come mainly from the front seven, and Chubb, Van Ginkel and Ogbah must lead the way.
Staying focused
Miami, which struggled the entire night, did a lot of the things it needed to do to win against Tennessee, including winning the turnover battle (3-1) and stopping the run/running the ball.
The key was the Dolphins lost focus for the final three minutes or so, and it cost them the game.
No, it wasn’t going to be a pretty victory, but the Dolphins were headed for a win. Then, after staying focused the entire week and the previous 57 minutes, they lost focus.
As they say in the track and field world, you must run fast through the finish line, not to the finish line.
Stopping Jets’ Brece Hall-Garrett Wilson 1-2 punch
This starts with Wilkins and Sieler on the inside, Chubb and Van Ginkel on the outside, and Ramsey and Howard on the corners.
But limiting Jets running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Garrett Wilson will involve all 11 Miami defensive players.
Hall had 126 yards from scrimmage last Sunday against Houston (10 carries, 40 yards; eight receptions, 86 yards, one touchdown).
Garrett Wilson had nine receptions for 108 yards against the Texans.
The Jets’ issues at quarterback and offensive line have limited the effectiveness of Garrett Wilson and Hall. But together, they can cause major headaches for the Dolphins defense. They must be kept under control.
