The Miami Dolphins defense entered Thursday Night Football last week as a much maligned unit — the team had given up over 200 yards rushing to the New England Patriots and then conceded over 400 yards passing to the Buffalo Bills in consecutive weeks to open the season. But Week 3 brought much better fortune for Miami and perhaps some confidence, too. The Dolphins’ defense awoke in their efforts to limit Jacksonville to 13 points on the night, offering persistent push up front and more diverse coverage to keep Jaguars QB Gardner Minshew holding the football for extra time in the pocket.
How did the Dolphins succeed in where they were so woefully poor against Buffalo just one week prior? Bills quarterback Josh Allen had all day to throw — that wasn’t the case in Jacksonville.
According to Dolphins DL coach Marion Hobby, there were a number of variables at play. Hobby met with the South Florida media yesterday and shared his perspective on what brought the pass rush to life in Week 3.
“I would say a couple of different things. No. 1, it’s easier to rush the passer when you have a big lead towards the end of the game there. I think that made it easier. We’ve played some pretty good defense early on. We earned those opportunities where they are not in those 50/50 run-pass situations or stuff like that,” said Hobby.
“I think to be honest with you, the players’ effort in that game compared to some of the other games I thought was much better. And then the guys getting comfortable playing with each other rushing. (Kyle) Van Noy getting comfortable with Shaq (Lawson) and (Emmanuel) Ogbah and guys like Zach Sieler, he really elevated his game, which I think helped the pass rush tremendously, any time you can get the middle push to help out your edge players. I think it’s always a collective, collaborative effort week-to-week and game plan wise, and I thought the players did a good job executing it.”
Based on the film of Week 3, Hobby’s assessment is spot on. There were no shortage of players who flashed at least at some point throughout the game, be it Van Noy, Lawson, Sieler, Ogbah or linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. A collaborative effort and improved results would suggest that Hobby’s prognosis of gaining comfort rushing with one another will lead Miami to more fruitful pass rushes in the future. The key now?
To get that kind of output each and every week, regardless of the competition.