Last Sunday, the Buffalo Bills circled the wagons in South Florida to assure the sweep of the Miami Dolphins for 2019. The Dolphins’ offensive line struggled mightily in the 37-20 loss. This week, the Dolphins look to bounce back and are going on the road to battle the Cleveland Browns — a team they haven’t faced since 2016. Miami won that game 30-24 during Week 3 of that NFL season on the strength of quarterback Ryan Tannehill outperforming Cleveland’s Cody Kessler in a shootout.
It’s now clear that the Dolphins won’t be a 10-win team in 2019 — as they were the last time they played the Browns. But don’t rule out Miami finding a way to swim past the Dawg Pound.
The receiving corps is doing more
With the recent trade of Kenyan Drake and the release of Mark Walton, the running back position has been depleted. Consequently, the Dolphins have been more reliant on the passing game in recent weeks.
DeVante Parker had seven catches and a career-high 135 yards while Jakeem Grant broke off a 101-yard jaunt to the house on a kickoff return. Even running backs did their part in the air. Kalen Ballage caught five balls against Buffalo for his second week in a row with four or more receptions. RB Patrick Laird had a career-high six receptions.
Unconventional O-Line help
With defensive end Myles Garrett suspended indefinitely at current and defensive tackle Larry Ogunjobi forced to sit on Sunday due to the Browns’ brawl with the Steelers on TNF, Cleveland is down two starters that the Dolphins offensive front needn’t scheme for.
To put it in perspective, Ryan Fitzpatrick had 323 passing yards while struggling to stay upright. Imagine what he could do for the Dolphins if his protection could control Cleveland’s front seven without two of their top starters?
Jerome Baker and others rolling on D
Miami didn’t get the win at home this past Sunday, but it wasn’t because the defense wasn’t battling. While recording a team-high 11 tackles last week, linebacker Jerome Baker continued a streak of three games where he posted eight or more tackles. Considering the Browns have running back Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb in their line up with a mediocre offensive line, there’s a good chance he extends it to four.
Honorable mention for last week goes to cornerback Nik Needam who turned in six or more tackles with two passes defended in each of his past two outings. These stat lines have contributed to him placing top among rookies in the AFC in passes defended.
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