The Miami Dolphins came into Sunday having won four games in a row and were feeling hot. They held off the New York Giants 20-9 to improve to 6-7 and keep their playoff hopes alive. It was a quiet game at first, but Miami’s offense eventually got in their groove, and their defense was a force all game. Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa finished 30 of 41 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns.
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Miami Dolphins Winning Streak Continues
Tua Tagovailoa, Offense Heating Up
The offense for Miami is starting to find their identity after a dismal start to the year. Rookie receiver Jaylen Waddle has been lights out all year. His 85 receptions this season are the most by any rookie in franchise history. Tagovailoa is starting to get the ball to him more and more every week. The two young studs played together at Alabama and want that chemistry to remain high. Waddle finished with nine catches for 90 yards.
Highest-graded #NFL rookie WRs
1. Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins – 78.0
2. DeVonta Smith, Eagles – 77.1
3. Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals – 76.7 pic.twitter.com/7iZmpRhWQ0— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 5, 2021
Defense Remains Aggressive, Rookies Showing Out
Over the last five games, the Dolphins defense has only allowed 55 total points (11 PPG). They are blitzing more than any other team in the league, and their two-star rookies are getting better and better. Second round pick from Oregon Jevon Holland has been nothing short of amazing this year. His style of play is what head coach Brian Flores has been looking for, a physical ball-hawking safety who can really do everything.
jevon holland pressure pic.twitter.com/UAF9ssg1Cq
— josh houtz (@houtz) December 5, 2021
Whether he’s blitzing, or off into coverage, Holland has the potential to be one of the best safeties in the league.
Outside linebacker and the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft, Jaelan Phillips is also balling out. He has five sacks in the last two games, and his 8.5 on the year is also a franchise rookie record.
Jaelan Phillips broke the all-time #Dolphins rookie sack record with 8.5 sacks on the season.#FinsUp
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 5, 2021
All three rookies for the Dolphins are all playing at an extremely high level, and it may be one of the best draft classes of 2021.
Dolphins Heading Into Bye Week
The Dolphins are heading into their bye week feeling pretty good about themselves. The team seems to be in the right state, but will a week off kill their momentum? Everybody is finally clicking on both sides of the ball, and Tagovailoa is playing lights out. In the three and a half games he’s played since returning from his finger injury, he’s 92-118 passing, 905 yards, five touchdowns and one interception. He hasn’t been putting up jaw-dropping numbers, but his efficiency is there, and you can see him starting to blossom as an NFL quarterback every week. The offensive line has improved some over this stretch, but it is still not where the Dolphins want it to be. Miami’s coaching staff is putting more trust in Tagovailoa, and we’re starting to see slowly why he was the fifth overall pick a year ago.
The Dolphins will play host to their rival the New York Jets after their bye. They will be looking to go 2-0 against them and improve to .500 before Christmas. This month could be a December to remember for the team if they are able to win out and finish the year 10-7.
Main Photo:
Embed from Getty Images
