The Miami Dolphins marched into the nation’s capital, or technically Maryland, and dominated the Washington Commanders on Sunday, 45 to 15.
The Dolphins are now 9-3 for the first time since 2001 after they were led by the absolutely lethal combination of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and wide receiver Tyreek Hill in Week 13, who combined for two touchdowns in spectacular fashion.
Hill finished the afternoon with five catches for 157 yards and his pair of scores. Tagovailoa was fantastic with a passer rating of 141.0 and completed 18 of his 24 passes for 280 yards.
Running backs Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane, who returned this week, helped Miami put points on the board, each scoring a touchdown, with the rookie putting up two.
The offense was helped by another outstanding defensive effort, led by an all-around performance by linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, who took an interception to the house for six points and was all over the field. On top of his pick-6, Van Ginkel tailed another pass defensed to add to his interception with a batted ball at the line of scrimmage.
Van Ginkel, who’s replacing injured pass rusher Jalen Phillips in a sense, will be a massive key down the stretch. When Van Ginkel plays the vast majority of the snaps, the Dolphins win ball games, and the fifth-year linebacker plays better when given more reps.
Zach Sieler, who gets his sacks in bunches, had his second two-game sack streak of the season, recording 1.5 on Sunday and a sack last Friday against the New York Jets.
Emmanuel Ogbah got to Sam Howell for a sack, and Bradley Chubb recorded a half-sack as well.
As good of a defensive performance as it was, there was a price to it when Jerome Baker collided with a Commander player, as well as Brandon Jones, and was attended to by team trainers later, to be helped off the field into the training room.
Baker has been having a fine season for the Dolphins, and this is two straight games in which a significant defensive injury occurred.
Back on the offensive side of the ball, Jaylen Waddle added five catches and 52 yards but did have a drop which is becoming an issue that he needs to sharpen up.
The Dolphins head into their last five games of the season with four at home, starting with a Monday Night Football game next week against the Tennessee Titans.
This team seems to be clicking on all cylinders at the exact right time of the season now that we are in December.
