Dolphins defense bends AND breaks versus Colts in 23-20 loss

Nov. 05 Post Game 6 comments ---Bill

What I didn’t like

Dolphins Secondary – Coming into this game, we knew that the Dolphins secondary was a concern.  Andrew Luck’s performance turned that concern into emergency management mode.  The Dolphins secondary was torched for 433 yards yesterday, 279 yards of those in the 1st half.  Sean Smith had at least 2 balls that should have been intercepted.  Smith has been solid this season, but his performance yesterday was one he’d like to quickly forget.  Late in the 4th quarter, on a 3rd down pass, Smith had a ball in his arms and inexplicably let the ball fall out.  If he caught the ball, the Dolphins would have already been in position to kick the tying field goal.

The Dolphins secondary was without Richard Marshall again and Nolan Carroll wasn’t up to the task.  Jimmy Wilson was picked on early and often by the Colts and his coverage was loose if anything at all.  Luck picked apart the secondary and routinely found open receivers roaming around down field.  I mentioned on Twitter that I felt like I was watching the Dolphins defense from Dan Marino’s prime.  You know, the defense that let the opposing team run up and down the field?  This MUST be corrected by scheme because the Dolphins cannot bring in any new players at this point in the season.

Dolphins Pass Rush – The Dolphins secondary was bad, but the pass rush didn’t give them much help.  The Dolphins only sacked Andrew Luck once and that was, of course, Cameron Wake.  The Dolphins couldn’t get in Andrew Luck’s face and even when they did, they couldn’t prevent him from getting the ball off and completing passes.  Forget about the fact that Cameron Wake was held on just about every single passing play.  The refs simply didn’t call it yesterday.  The Dolphins must find someone to be a force opposite Wake, to get to the opposing quarterback.

Dolphins Offensive Line – Ryan Tannehill was only sacked twice yesterday, but he was hit a lot more than that.  Jake Long might have had his worst day as a pro and he admits he needs to fix his mistakes.  Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis were extremely disruptive and in the Dolphins backfield all day long.  I would’ve liked to have seen a few draws or more screens thrown into the gameplan to slow the pass rushers down.  The offensive line is going to get Tannehill killed.  The kid was playing on a bad leg and took shot after shot from the Colts defenders.  To his credit, he kept getting up, but he’s going to get seriously injured if the poor line play continues.

Coaching – The Dolphins out-coached the Jets last week, but this week the Colts coaching staff got the better of them.  As I said earlier, I dislike the offensive balance (40 passess vs. 18 runs).  The game was not a blowout, so there was no need to abandon the running game.  I also disagree with the coaches in their use of Lamar Miller.  He was in the game and took a handoff for 7 yards, which could have been more if he didn’t trip.  This guy needs to be on the field more.  If pass protection is a problem, put him in the game with Daniel Thomas, but Miller needs to be on the field.

The Dolphins coaching staff did a poor job of making adjustments at halftime.  The Dolphins managed just 3 points in the second half after scoring 17 in the 1st half.  That shows me that the Colts made better adjustments to their defense.  The Dolphins defense, allowed fewer yards to Andrew Luck in the 2nd half, but still allowed him to walk up and down the field on them.  Better scheme adjustments must be made at the half to fix mismatches.

Overall, this loss hurt the Dolphins in a number of ways.  First, they fell a game behind the Patriots in the AFC East.  Second, they let another close game get away. Third, they fell a game behind the Steelers and Colts in the AFC Wild Card race.  The Dolphins come home this weekend to host the Titans.  After the Tennessee game, the Dolphins head to Buffalo for a Thursday night matchup, then have 10 days off to prepare for the Seahawks at home.  If the Dolphins want to talk playoffs, they need to win these next 3 games.  If not, we’ll just have to watch them play out this season, hoping to see Tannehill continue to improve.  For now though, we’re left to wonder ‘what if’, a place we’ve been before.

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  • FinzFan16

    I couldn’t agree more on EVERYTHING you mentioned in this article! I was very disappointed with the gameplan for the 2nd half. It was like I was watching a different team. I was having a great day until we lost. I mean, I couldn’t even explain how dead I felt after watching that game. I do want to mention despite the horrible 2nd half. The last drive couldn’t have had the WORST 4 plays in our playbook. I would have thought the BEST 4 plays in our playbook would have came out. Plus Reggie Bush was hardly utilized!! We should be using him for screen plays and allowing him to go outside. Lamar Millier and Daniel Thomas should be used for running between the tackles. I’m done writing…this is making my head spin. I just hope to see the Dolphins come out on Sunday ready to play!! (thanks for letting me vent)

  • FinzFan16

    …one last thing…what happend to trading for a GOOD WR?? No offense but what the heck has Gafney done since he’s come to Miami? He’s been there for over a month and he’s done NOTHING for us in a game to credit the trade!! The front office obvisouly doesn’t care about this season…Nice TEAMwork??

  • Tico

    Lamar Miller has gone from one of the steals in the draft, 4th round, to invisible
    WTF ??

  • Miami Jules

    I agree with everything, including all 3 comments posted as I was posting my own. I will add that even in defeat, one has to love the owning up to decisions, this coaching staff has brought in. The emphasis used to be “the silver lining” associated with defeat by previous coaches,now, nothing short of winning the game will have that “silver lining”. I was referring, in particular, to Coyle owning up to the loss against the Colts. I still believe Marlon Moore should be favored over Gafney, and although his blocking skills are less than desirable, Miller can get yards, and I want Sherman to figure out a way to get Miller in there without getting the whole opposing defence in our backfield as a result.

  • http://www.facebook.com/chris.schantz.92 Chris Schantz

    I don’t think there was a trade for Gafney. He was cut from Washington and then Patriots.

  • http://www.facebook.com/urias.martinez.7 Urias Martinez

    I was very disappointing that Tannehill could not handle the presure at the last drive to a least to try to tied the game against the Colts. The Dolphin secondary is a serious problem and there is not excuse to fixed now tht the team still have a chance. To allow a rookie like Hilton to score like that was a disgrace. How many times this players need to realize to take advantage of opportunities? They should hadbetter for this game. Luck had plenty time to deliver especially on third down, and there was not a solid response from the defense. Why four downs passing at the last drive at the yard 50, with two time out and Tannehill coudl not connected for a lousy fisrt down? This is the second game that the Dolphins lose the game because same problem, inability to grap 10 lousy yards to at least try a field goal and tied the game? On top of that, the calling from the referees was terrible at the last drive on the Dolphin’ special team returner. There was not foul that merited a flag, and cost the Dolphin 15 yards. Tou for givgame to the Colts. Coach Phibin, get on and fixed. Why Tannehill did not work the sideline on the last drive? He had 2 full minutes, two time outs, and 4 downs to give the kicker 20 more yards? Man, it is ridiculus.