Tua’s Resilience Shines in Dolphins’ Gritty Victory Over Jets
The Miami Dolphins finally found themselves in the win column, edging out the New York Jets 27-21 on Monday night. This victory, their first of the season, came amidst a backdrop of struggles, advancing the Dolphins’ record to 1-3. While the performance wasn’t flawless, it was a crucial win for a team that has faced significant challenges early this season. Here’s a closer look at the good, the bad, and the ugly from this hard-fought matchup.
The Good: Tua Tagovailoa’s Calm Pocket Presence
Initially, Tua Tagovailoa’s performance might not have seemed particularly remarkable. However, a deeper review of the game tape reveals a more confident and composed quarterback. Tagovailoa showcased a marked improvement in his pocket presence, demonstrating a calmness that allowed him to extend plays when necessary.
His passing stats—17 completions on 25 attempts for 177 yards and two touchdowns—might not jump off the page, but this game marked a significant milestone: it was his first without a turnover this season. Additionally, his efficiency was evident, boasting a 0.44 expected points added (EPA) per dropback, the highest since Week 14 of the previous season.
What stood out most was Tagovailoa’s ability to evade pressure. Despite being pressured on a high percentage of his dropbacks in recent games, he managed to get the ball out quickly against the Jets, helping to mitigate the impact of a struggling offensive line. His performance was a refreshing step in the right direction, reminding fans of his potential as a leader for the Dolphins.
The Bad: Struggles Along the Offensive Line
Unfortunately for Miami, the offensive line continued to falter, marking the second consecutive week of disappointing play. Upon further analysis, it became clear that the line struggled significantly in pass protection. Players like Cole Strange, Jonah Savaiinaea, and Larry Borom faced challenges, with Strange appearing less comfortable than expected in both his assignments and overall performance.
Savaiinaea’s troubles persisted, as he failed to maintain balance and engage effectively with defensive linemen. Borom faced relentless pressure from Will McDonald IV, who exploited speed and agility to get to the quarterback.
On the ground, the Dolphins managed 123 rushing yards on 31 carries, thanks in part to De’Von Achane’s ability to break tackles despite inadequate blocking. The potential for improvement is there, but the offensive line’s current state raises concerns about the team’s overall effectiveness moving forward.
The Ugly: Defensive Woes Persist
While the Dolphins’ defense managed to force a couple of turnovers, it still struggled significantly, leaving much to be desired. Jack Jones and Tyrel Dodson made key plays, but the overall performance of the defense was not reassuring. The Jets’ offense found success early, running for 78 yards on their opening drive, exposing the Dolphins’ defensive vulnerabilities.
In the trenches, Miami’s edge defenders and interior linemen were often overpowered, failing to match the physicality of New York’s offensive line. The lack of pressure has been a recurring theme this season, with the Dolphins generating only two sacks against Jets quarterback Justin Fields, who proved elusive despite Miami’s attempts to apply pressure.
Despite recording 20 pressures, many were inconsequential as they came late in plays when Fields had already found time in the pocket. The Dolphins’ defensive strategy seemed to falter, with a low blitz rate that, while yielding some results, still left them vulnerable.
Overall, while the turnovers provided a glimmer of hope, the defensive performance reinforced the need for significant improvements to establish a reliable and dominant unit. The question remains whether Miami can build on these fleeting moments of success to create a sustainable defense moving forward.
