Calais Campbell and Jaelan Phillips say the Dolphins have to eliminate the errors that are allowing opponents to get big chunks of yardage.
While a lot of the focus might be on the Miami Dolphins’ offense after the 24-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 3, the defense had questions to answer, as well.
The Miami defense had positive moments throughout the game, including three sacks on Geno Smith recorded by Da’Shawn Hand, Zach Sieler, and Calais Campbell. The Dolphins also won the turnover battle with two interceptions forced by Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith — one from Kader Kohou, and the other from Zach Sieler on a tipped pass.
However, the Seahawks offense was able to hit the ground running by scoring 17 points in the first quarter, creating a deficit too much to overcome for a depleted Dolphins offense.
The Seattle offense was able to get many of the looks they wanted in the passing game as six players recorded three or more receptions. Wide receiver DK Metcalf led the charge with 104 yards on four receptions including a 71-yard touchdown that extended the Seattle lead to 17-3 at the end of the first quarter.
On the ground, Seattle running back Zach Charbonnet carried the ball 18 times for 91 yards (5.1 yards per carry) and two rushing touchdowns. Charbonnet put his stamp on the game in the fourth quarter with the Seahawks driving on the Dolphins 37-yard line. Charbonnet’s number was called four times in a row as he finished the drive himself for his second touchdown.
“At the end of the day it really comes down to how we handle our business, doing our job at a high level and shutting down the run,” Dolphins defensive lineman Calais Campbell said. “I thought we did it well for all but like five or six runs, maybe six or seven, but those lapses can’t be there.”
Campbell’s take on the run defense is accurate. Five of Charbonnet’s 18 carries went for 10 or more yards, while the other 13 totaled just 32 (one of them was a 4-yard touchdown). The five chunk plays are the lapses Campbell is talking about.
“Usually it comes down to someone trying to do too much,” Campbell added. “And it’s like, for what? We’ve got too many guys. You don’t have to do too much. Just make the plays you’re supposed to make. They’ll come to you. That’s just something we’ve got to be better at.”
At the end of the day, allowing the opposing running back to gain 5.1 yards per carry is a recipe for disaster. It allow for shorter second and third-down plays that open up the passing game. The Buffalo Bills’ James Cook had similar success against the Dolphins in Week 2, with 78 yards on only 11 carries and two touchdowns.
“Just in general, gap integrity,” Dolphins outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips said of a solution. “Everybody in the front, everybody in the back end, everything like, fitting the run properly.
“I thought we did a pretty good job for the first half. Obviously late in the game we started giving up some big yardage and stuff like that. It’s all about the process. It’s a long season. We’ve just got to make the corrections and just move on.”
The Dolphins will get another slightly extended break in between games with their Week 4 game falling on Monday night against the Titans. With Tua Tagovailoa still sidelined, the Dolphins defense will need to come up with a spectacular performance if they want a shot.
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