The Miami Dolphins defense has carried the team for the past two decades, but that has changed this year. The offense has asserted itself as one of the best, if not the best, in the NFL. However, the offenses tend to fall off a little once we get to November and December. I don’t know how much longer we can expect the Dolphins offense to put up over 30 points a game, especially when they play better defenses later in the year. It’s time for the Dolphins defense to start asserting themselves to compliment the offense.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel decided to make a change at defensive coordinator, firing Josh Boyer and bringing in Vic Fangio, one of the best defensive minds in the game, to tap into this defense’s potential. The problem is the players are still adjusting to his defense, and he’s adjusting to the players. At some point, things must change. Sure, they have had their moments this year, but it’s when the offense spots them three score leads in the second half, and the defense can tee off on the quarterback.
On Sunday, the Dolphins defense gave up two early first-quarter touchdowns against the winless Carolina Panthers. Yes, you can blame the offense for starting slow as well, but there will be days when the offense struggles and the defense must carry its weight. Wow, when was the last time I said that? The Dolphins offense got into a rhythm, and the defense settled down, but that’s against the Panthers. Three weeks ago, against the Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins went back and forth with the Bills early in the game, but then the offense stalled. The defense didn’t make any adjustments or stops. The Dolphins ended up getting blown out.
That brings me to this Sunday night against the Philadelphia Eagles, who can run and pass the ball and make explosive plays, just like the Bills. The Dolphins can’t afford to get off to a slow start on defense and expect the offense to continue their record-setting tear. There is going to be another point this year when the offense doesn’t have it, and the defense must step up. And I believe they can, but I haven’t seen it yet this year. The Dolphins have so much talent not to play better. In the Bills game, Christian Wilkins didn’t record a tackle until the 4th quarter when the game got out of hand. If he wants a new contract, then games like this Sunday are where he must showcase his dominance against the Eagles. I realize he has played well the last couple of weeks but against sub-par competition. He must assert himself against a better opponent, just like guys like Jalen Phillips, Bradley Chubb, Xavien Howard, and Javon Holland. These guys are too good not to step up.
Maybe some of these guys don’t fit Fangio’s scheme. That is quite possible, but if that’s the case, Fangio must put them in spots where they can succeed. Sunday is when things must start turning for the Dolphins’ defense because better offenses are coming up, like the Kansas City Chiefs, the Bills again, the Dallas Cowboys, and even the Baltimore Ravens. Some of those offenses pose certain challenges, and the defense must be up to the challenge. If the defense can start turning things around to complement their offense, watch out the rest of the way.
Xavier forgot how to play after he got the big pay . So as chub.
The Big Boys on defense need to make Big Plays. Has not happened consistently all year. The Chargers game, in the end, yes, like that. Van Ginkel in the Pats game, yes, like that. Wilkins vs Panthers, all game, like that. Phillips, come back and do something, like last year, like that. X man ? Like 2021, like that. If Phins can still find a way to score 30, then the defense has to hold. Hurts is good, but not so good this year. Show him something different Fangio ! Weren’t you there last year ? Don’t you know of his tendencies, any weaknesses with him and or the team ? This is the game “FANGS” needs to have things work. Show the nation that hey, yes, we are the ‘Greatest Show on SURF’, but hell yeah, we have “FANGS” on this defense as well.