Tag: Xavien Howard

S Jevon Holland is our Dolphins’ Player of the Game for Week 12

The Snowman earns our Player of the Game.

Miami Dolphins’ safety Jevon Holland earned our ‘Player of the Game’ honors in the 34-13 rout of the division rival New York Jets in Week 12.

Holland had five tackles in the game, which was the second-highest on the Miami defense to linebacker Jerome Baker, who totaled six. The game’s biggest play was undoubtedly Holland’s 99-yard pick-6 on the first half’s final play.

That was Holland’s first interception on the season.

The significance of this play can’t be overstated, considering the Jets were unable to bring the game back to within two scores.

It was a play that swung momentum back into Miami’s favor, as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had just thrown his second interception of the game, and the offense started to appear stagnant.

It seemed the Jets were starting to take some control over the contest, only to be reminded of the talented Miami secondary.

Holland has been one of the most consistent players for the Dolphins in 2023. The third-year safety entered this game leading Miami’s defense in solo tackles (44) and was second on the team in total tackles (65) behind only David Long Jr. (66).

This lopsided matchup featured two teams headed in completely different directions in the standings.

The Jets announced on Monday they were benching quarterback Zach Wilson in favor of Tim Boyle, hoping it’d be the change the team needed to make a late-season push. Sadly, the Jets looked just about as bad as they have all year.

Holland did cause a bit of a scare for Dolphins fans, as he exited the contest with a knee injury while the team was ahead by multiple scores in the second half.

This injury was key in finally forcing the Miami coaching staff to get the key players off of the field, especially after the non-contact Achilles injury to linebacker Jaelan Phillips.

Holland, after the game, insisted that his knee injury is fine. Hopefully, he won’t miss any time moving forward.

The Snowman’s presence in the secondary has masked some of the injury trouble to cornerbacks Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey early in the season, as Holland is showcasing his talents all over the field. He’ll be a key contributor come playoff time against the talented offenses of the AFC.

Best photos from Dolphins grinding win over Raiders

Views from Miami’s 7th win.

The Miami Dolphins, after enjoying a week off and away, returned to their facilities and earned a victory over the Las Vegas Raiders at Hard Rock Stadium.

Mike McDaniel’s offense showed some flashes, but three turnovers, not including one on downs, kept them from running away with this one. Luckily, Miami’s defense held strong and limited them to just a touchdown and two field goals. What’s more impressive is that the two field goals came on short fields after turnovers.

As we do after each game, we’ve put together some of the best pictures from the matchup, and this will be one that some will want to remember.

CB Jalen Ramsey raves about Dolphins secondary

Miami’s secondary is just getting started, according to Ramsey.

In Frankfurt, Germany on Sunday, the Miami Dolphins finally had their starting secondary in action for the first time in 2023.

Jalen Ramsey is back from injured reserve after recovering from a meniscus injury, Xavien Howard returned after dealing with a groin injury and Jevon Holland cleared concussion protocol.

The trio of superstars joined DeShon Elliott and Kader Kohou in a back end that put on a strong showing against the Kansas City Chiefs, even in a loss.

They held Patrick Mahomes to just 185 yards, his lowest output since he threw for just 184 yards against the Denver Broncos in 2021.

Travis Kelce was held to just 14 yards on three receptions, his lowest total since he recorded just six yards on one reception against the Los Angeles Chargers back in 2018.

After the game, Ramsey spoke to CBS and raved about playing with Howard and his other teammates.

“It felt good,” Ramsey said. “Me and X have talked about it and dreamed about it. That energy was good. That vibe was good between us.

“It’s different for him and me. I’ve never played with somebody like him. We were able to bounce ideas and things off each other throughout the game. That was super cool. Getting to see him back in action and locking receivers up, that was good. That’s what this defense needs.”

Against the Chiefs, the two combined for 21 yards allowed on just four receptions, according to Pro Football Focus.

However, this first game is just the beginning for the group, and they know it.

“It’s going to get even better,” Ramsey said. “Let’s keep it real. This is my second game. I’ve still got to get to where I want to be, personally. X has been on and off injured a little bit. He has to get a little healthy as well. This was my first game being able to play with Xavien and Jevon.

“We have a long way to go. [But] this gives me a lot of optimism for this secondary. Not only this secondary, but this defense.”

Following the bye week, the group will draw some tough matchups with battles against  Davante Adams, Garrett Wilson, Terry McLaurin, CeeDee Lamb and Stefon Diggs the rest of the way.

If defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s unit can stay healthy, they should be in every game for the rest of the regular season. The question will be whether or not they can start winning those games against good teams.

They have the talent. They just need to prove it.

News and notes heading into Dolphins’ Week 9 matchup against Chiefs

Some news and notes for Sunday’s game.

The Miami Dolphins are overseas in Frankfurt, Germany to face the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs at Deutsche Bank Park on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. ET.

A win would make Miami 7-2 for the first time since the year 2000.

Including the playoffs, where the Dolphins are 3-0 all-time against the Chiefs, Miami leads the franchise series 16-15. However, Kansas City has won the last three meetings (2014, 2017 and 2020).

Over their last five meetings between the franchises, the winning team has averaged 33 points in their victories. The Dolphins won 2008 and 2011 trips to Arrowhead and are technically the visiting teams on Sunday.

Do Your Job: Who is x-factor Dolphins player Patriots must stop?

Who is the x-factor Dolphins player the Patriots must stop on Sunday?

The Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots matched up earlier in the season in a game where the Patriots ended up falling short. This week, the two teams will run it back with the Patriots heading to Miami to take on the fastest and most productive offense in the league.

The Patriots are fresh off of a statement victory over the Buffalo Bills, and they will look to continue their good play from the previous week. However, they will need to counteract this week’s x-factor player.

The goal of this series is to take a look, week-by-week, at the x-factor, which is the player with the best chance to impact the outcome of the game.

In the Week 2 meeting, that player was Tyreek Hill, and although Hill will likely play a significant role in this game, there is a more important player for this matchup making his regular season debut with the Dolphins.

That player is six-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey, who has been giving elite NFL receivers troubles for year. The veteran defensive back was a big-time acquisition for the Dolphins this offseason, but he has yet to see the field.

His presence this week means more to the Patriots than trying to stop Tyreek Hill, which they will be trying to do regardless.

Ramsey forms an incredible duo with four-time Pro Bowl corner Xavien Howard. The Patriots offense looked good last week after their offensive line played a great game, but the Bills are having issues with their defense and in particular, their cornerback room.

Receivers Kendrick Bourne and Demario “Pop” Douglas, the best two options for the Patriots, had good games last week, and quarterback Mac Jones was able to make the correct reads. However, if Ramsey plays, it might not matter if the offensive line plays well because Jones might be forced into some coverage sack situations.

Jones needs to have a very good game this week if Ramsey plays because offensive line play alone won’t make make him look as good as it did last week. Receivers will have a tough time getting open, which means Jones will need to fit his throws into tight windows.

There’s no better way of proving naysayers wrong than beating one of the best cornerback tandems in the NFL. It would prove that Jones’ issues in New England has more to do with poor offensive line play than anything else.

Even with receivers having harder times getting open, the ability of the offensive line to compete and stall Miami’s pass-rush will allow Jones and company to have a better control of the game. Win or lose, this will be Jones’ opportunity to show why the Patriots need a true No. 1 weapon to help him beat the likes of Howard and Ramsey in future matchups.

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7 burning questions heading into Patriots’ Week 8 matchup vs Dolphins

Can the Patriots knock off the Dolphins? Here are seven burning questions for Sunday’s much-anticipated AFC East divisional tilt.

The New England Patriots have a chance to turn their season around in Sunday’s head-to-head meeting with the Miami Dolphins. A victory would put them at 3-5 with a stretch of winnable games coming up on the schedule.

But they’ll be running into a Dolphins team that has had their number in recent years. It also doesn’t help that Miami is coming off a loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, which means they’ll be plenty motivated to send the Patriots packing with a loss.

This isn’t the same Patriots team that showed up in the blowout losses to the Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. New offensive wrinkles has quarterback Mac Jones finally hitting his stride, and the defense has continued to be competitive, despite numerous injuries.

Here are seven burning questions facing the team in their Week 8 road trip to South Beach:

Eagles-Dolphins Inactives for Sunday Night Football

We’re looking at the inactives list for the Philadelphia #Eagles Sunday night matchup against the Miami Dolphins

The Eagles will have seven players inactive for Sunday Night Football against the Miami Dolphins.

Sydney Brown (hamstring), Jalen Carter (ankle), Darius Slay (knee), and Marlon Tuipulotu (triceps) are active after missing last week.

Lane Johnson (ankle) and Eli Ricks (knee) both left last week’s game against the Jets. Johnson and Ricks, along with Milton Williams (ankle), were all full participants at practice on Friday and are active, while Mekhi Garner and Julio Jones were elevated from the practice squad.

Dolphins CB Xavien Howard ruled out vs. Eagles with a groin injury

The Miami Dolphins will be without Xavien Howard after the star cornerback was ruled out a

The Dolphins will be without their two top cornerbacks, as Xavien Howard will join Jalen Ramsey on the inactive list for Sunday Night Football.

Howard attempted to work out during pregame warmups, but he’ll be ruled out for a huge matchup with a groin injury.

Cornerback Jalen Ramsey began practicing Wednesday as he recovers from the left knee injury he sustained during training camp.

Ramsey had his 21-day practice window activated, but he’ll miss the contest.

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Mike McDaniel provides updates on a quartet of injured Dolphins

McDaniel had some insight into the health of some injured players.

The Miami Dolphins improved to 5-1 on Sunday after defeating the Carolina Panthers 42-21 at Hard Rock Stadium.

While they’re ecstatic with the result, there’s no doubt that they’re frustrated with the injuries that the team has dealt with just six weeks into the season.

On Monday, the day after the win, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel addressed the media and was asked some questions about players dealing with injuries.

Here’s what he had to say:

WATCH: Tua Tagovailoa hits homer in Xavien Howard’s softball game

That’s one way to start a game off.

The Miami Dolphins are one of the most charitable organizations in professional sports, and it goes beyond the team, as the players are always holding their own events to benefit different causes.

This weekend, Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard held his celebrity softball game benefitting his “Make ‘Em Believe” foundation.

A number of players joined the competition, including quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, cornerback Trill Williams and wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

In fact, Tagovailoa led off the game with a home run in his first at-bat and followed it up with a waddle around second base.

That athleticism clearly transfers over from the gridiron to the diamond. He even showed his true right-handed form.

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