Late in the second quarter, Dolphins LB Kiko Alonso makes a huge goal line stand as the Bears were on the verge of scoring a td to tie the game up 7-all but Alonso jars the ball loose from Bears RB Jordan Howard and Dolphins CB Xavien Howard scoops it up for the recovery. It was Alonso’s third forced fumble of the year which is a new career high for him. He also has 2 interceptions. It was a nice play. Don’t get me wrong. But, that doesn’t change the fact that the Bears set a season high in rushing for 164 yards on the ground and Howard’s second highest total in rushing yards at 69. (His highest so far this season is 82 which he got in his season opener).

The run defense is to the defense what the o-line is to the offense. It’s been an issue for many, many years. Second-year DC Matt Burke is supposed to be a LB coach. To be fair, the unit overall is very young but Alonso now entering his 3rd year with the team, can’t seem to prevent teams from walking all over the Dolphins.

The Dolphins have allowed 709 rushing yards on the season. That means through 6 games, they have allowed a total of 118 yards on the ground on average. In their last 4 games alone, they have allowed a total of 551 rushing yards. That’s an average of 138 yards on the ground. Three of Four of those games, the opposing teams set new season highs in their rushing attacks. Let’s observe those 4 games:

1) Raiders had 92, 95 and when they played us 109 total rushing yards.

2) Patriots had 122, 82, 89, and when they played us 175 with Patriots RB Sony Michel having 112 of those which was a career high for him at the time.

3) Bengals had 101, 108, 66, 99, and when they played the Dolphins, 103.

4) Bears had 139, 86, 122, 139, and 164 when they played us.

As you can see the Raiders weren’t that good of a run team until they played the Dolphins. The Patriots were averaging 98 yards on the ground before they played the Dolphins and you can see that they nearly doubled that average when the Fins came over to Foxborough to roast. I mean, Michel was pretty much a non-factor in the season, but the Dolphins found a way to make him look extraordinary. Bengals were struggling in the run game last couple of weeks prior and yet, playing the Dolphins gave them new life. Now, the Bears have had a pretty solid run game all season long but still…. with all the investments this regime has made over the years with this unit, is it naive of me to think that our run defense could improve this year?

Believe me, I’m not so much disappointed as I am shocked that we can’t stop anybody. Alonso is making some great plays, but he wouldn’t need to if he could stick to fundamental football.

The good news is that rookie Detroit Lions RB Kerryon Johnson is coming off an ankle injury. The bad news is the Lions are coming off a bye week to play the Dolphins. Now, the Lions managed to rush 159 yards when they played the Patriots. How many yards will they put up against the Dolphins? 180? 190? This will be the Dolphins toughest test yet. Instead of standing on the sidelines of opposing teams, Alonso needs to rally this young LB corps and not let Johnson get loose. This may be a pass-happy league but if you can run the ball, you’ve got it made. Sooner or later, teams are going to catch on, and the Dolphins may not be able to always pull out the win.

BE SURE TO FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK:  CLICK HERE