Miami Dolphins Defense Prepares for High-Stakes Clash with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry
The Miami Dolphins are gearing up for a monumental challenge as they prepare to face the Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium. The stakes are high not just for the team but for the defense, which must contain two of the most electrifying players in the game: quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry.
Recent Defensive Success
The Dolphins’ run defense comes off a commendable performance against Bijan Robinson and the Atlanta Falcons, holding them to a mere 25 rushing yards on nine carries. Now they set their sights on a pair of superstars who have caused them significant trouble in the past.
This match marks a unique moment, as it will be the first time Miami faces Henry, who recently joined the Ravens as a free agent after a storied career with the Tennessee Titans. Jackson, a two-time MVP, is no stranger to the Dolphins, and past encounters have revealed a difficult history.
Dolphins’ Struggles Against Jackson
Since Jackson entered the league as the 32nd overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, the Dolphins have faced him four times, with the results largely favoring the Ravens. Jackson has achieved two of his four perfect passer rating games against Miami, highlighting the challenges he poses.
His debut against the Dolphins in 2019 resulted in a staggering 59-10 defeat for Miami. More recently, during the 2023 regular season, Jackson threw five touchdown passes in a decisive 56-19 victory. Even in Miami’s lone victory over Baltimore in 2022, Jackson posted a formidable 142.6 passer rating and rushed for 119 yards, including a 79-yard touchdown.
The Dolphins did manage to contain Jackson effectively in a 2021 match under then-coach Brian Flores, employing a blitz-heavy strategy that limited him to 238 passing yards and a 73.6 rating, culminating in a 22-10 victory. Jaelan Phillips, an edge defender, reflected on that game, stating, “We kind of caught them off guard with all the zero pressures… This game is just going to be a matter of doing our jobs and getting after him.”
Facing Derrick Henry’s Challenge
In contrast to their struggles with Jackson, the Dolphins have historically fared well against Derrick Henry, limiting him in four previous encounters. Remarkably, Henry has never rushed for more than 54 yards against Miami, achieving that total as a rookie in 2016. In fact, his averages against the Dolphins stand at a lowly 30.8 yards per game and 3.24 yards per carry, the worst among the 22 teams he has faced more than twice.
While Henry is undoubtedly a formidable force, Phillips emphasized the shared goal of stopping him early: “With Derrick, obviously you’ve got to stop him early and often.” Defensive tackle Benito Jones echoed this sentiment when asked about the challenge of containing Henry compared to Robinson, stating, “I don’t really see it as a challenge. We’ve just got to stop the run. He’s a bigger guy for sure, but he can’t run without his legs.”
Looking Ahead
As the Dolphins prepare for this pivotal matchup, the performance of their defense against Jackson and Henry will be instrumental in determining their chances of securing a second consecutive victory. The strategies employed to contain these two elite athletes will not only impact the outcome of the game but also set the tone for the rest of the season. The Dolphins are ready to rise to the occasion, but the question remains: will they be able to conquer the challenges posed by these two offensive juggernauts?
