Run defense might have been the thing that kept the Miami Dolphins from making the playoffs last year. It also might be the difference between winning and losing when the Dolphins host New England in Sunday’s season opener.
“They’re a very run-oriented team,” Dolphins defensive coordinator Josh Boyer said of the Patriots.
You’ll recall the Dolphins got trucked by Tennessee in the next-to-last game of the season last year. The Titans rushed for 198 yards rushing on 40 carries in a 34-3 loss that knocked Miami out of playoff contention. Tennessee’s D’Onta Foreman had a punishing 132 yards on 26 carries to lead the way.
The Dolphins finished 9-8; 10-7 would have earned a wild-card berth.
Most likely Miami’s run defense is in the crosshairs of New England’s offensive game plan.
You can bet the Patriots, who were eighth in rushing last year at 126.5 yards per game, will do their best to exploit any perceived weakness in the Dolphins’ defense, and the two biggest right now are the run defense and the cornerback who replaces Byron Jones [knee].
But let’s talk run defense.
Two of the core pieces to the Dolphins’ run defense are defensive linemen Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis. But they’re not the only ones responsible for making New England one-dimensional.
Run defense, as Boyer said, involves all 11 players.
So throw in the rest of the front seven – defensive linemen and linebackers such as Trey Flowers, Emmanuel Ogbah, Zach Sieler, who seems to make a habit of tackles for loss of yardage, Jaelan Phillips, Jerome Baker, Elandon Roberts and everyone else.
They all play a role.
“If one guy is at a gap or out of place,” Boyer said, “there’s a crease there.”
Even in that circumstance there’s a backup. The secondary, led by cornerback Xavien Howard and safety Jevon Holland, should be there.
Do a good job on the back end of the funnel, Boyer said, and a 12- to 15-yard big play becomes a manageable 6- or 8-yard carry.
“We’ve had a couple of runs that have hit big on us,” Boyer said. “I think if you look at it over time we can definitely do a better job on that.”
Boyer and the Dolphins are expecting a steady diet of running plays.
“They’ve got good running backs [Rhamondre] Stevenson, [Damien] Harris,” Boyer said. “I’m sure they’re going to use [wide receiver Ty] Montgomery in certain ways. We’re preparing for [running back] J.J. Taylor if they elevate him from the practice squad.”
Here’s the other thing about stopping the run — do it successfully, and quarterback Mac Jones’ passing game gets affected.
The Patriots are efficient and effective through the air.
“The quarterback does a good job,” Boyer said. “He gets the ball out quickly. He’s very good with this reads. He knows and understands where to go with the ball.”
But the passing game doesn’t exist on its own.
“They set up their play action off their run game,” Boyer said.
So, if the Dolphins stop the run, they can also take away a major aspect of the passing game.
Miami was tied for 13th in run defense last season at 109.8 yards per game. It brought back all 13 players who logged at least five starts.
Among the 187 possible defensive starts from last season [11 players, 17 starts]. Miami returns 178 [95.2%].
There’s two ways to look at the large number of returnees.
One point of view says this run defense will be better because it’ll have another year together. It’ll grow naturally.
The opposing point of view says don’t assume improvement from the same group of guys, changes must be made for the group to improve.
The Dolphins are obviously banking on the former. I’m right there with them on that thought.
“We expect that they’re going to try to run the ball,” Boyer said. “And we’re really looking forward to the challenge this year.”
