The Dolphins protection saved their season for an additional week

The Miami Dolphins have been 2-6 and on the point of shedding their season heading into their Monday Evening tilt in opposition to the Los Angeles Rams. With their backs in opposition to the wall, the Dolphins turned in a 23-15 victory over the Rams that primarily saved their season.

Whereas most affiliate the Dolphins with explosive, excessive quantity offense, it was the protection that saved their season. At first of the 12 months, I used to be extremely optimistic about this protection, and in opposition to the Rams they turned of their finest efficiency of the season.

It was an unimaginable efficiency by the Dolphins’ protection, one which I used to be excited to see. Let’s dig in and see how they did it.

First, they acquired an unimaginable efficiency from the line of defense. The Dolphins pressured QB Matthew Stafford 17 occasions on Monday, regardless of solely blitzing on 4 of his dropbacks. The mix of Zach Seiler, Calais Campbell and Chop Robinson had Stafford preventing for his life within the pocket, which made every little thing work so significantly better for the secondary.

Robinson actually stood out. As a rookie, he was solely alleged to be introduced on for spot go rush snaps, however due to the accidents to EDGEs Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips he’s been pressured into extra play. He’s regarded good for this protection in his position this season, and he was rewarded with a sack on Monday. He’s alleged to be operating a decide for the defensive sort out, however as a result of he’s so darn quick off the ball, he will get to the QB earlier than he can set the stunt appropriately. The Rams slide their safety to the formation’s left, and go away the appropriate facet in man safety. Robinson darts inside and will get a sack on the play.

Not solely was the stress getting dwelling, however they have been rattling Stafford as properly. LB Anthony Walker runs a decide for the defensive sort out, however this time it’s from depth, knocking again the middle. The DT wraps round and Walker barely will get there, however the imminent stress forces an errant throw from Stafford. Anthony Weaver had all of the buttons engaged on Monday.

This sack from Jevon Holland was tremendous cool, and confirmed how the Dolphins’ protection had the Rams in a blender. The Dolphins line up with seven defenders on the line of scrimmage, however the Rams name out the blitz. They get everybody to slip to their left the place the blitz was supposed to return from. However proper earlier than the snap, the Dolphins flip the blitz name to the appropriate, leaving the Rams out within the chilly. LB Jordyn Brooks picks for Robinson, who will get free and finishes the sack with Holland. Simply an unimaginable general efficiency by a Dolphins staff that desperately wants it.

The Dolphins primarily saved their season with a win on Monday night time. Whereas the offense goes via its’ lulls— QB Tua Tagovailoa had some ups and downs—it was the protection that saved the day. This whole season, Miami’s protection has been twelfth in EPA per play allowed, and with a fairly mild schedule developing, they’ll journey that protection all the way in which into backdooring the AFC and making the playoffs.