New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins: Top 5 Matchups in NFL Week 17
By Hal Bent
5. LeGarrette Blount vs Miami Front Seven
On defense, the Miami Dolphins have struggled in 2016 despite a number of talented individual defenders. While much has been made of the struggles of the pass defense, the Dolphins are 30th in the NFL against the run. They have allowed 2,127 yards over 15 games with an awful 4.9 yards allowed per rush average,
On the defensive line, all focus is on Ndamukong Suh. Miami overpaid for him in free agency but he remains one of the most disruptive and talented defensive line players in the league. Unfortunately, his zeal to rush opposing quarterbacks and pile up sacks results in him being out of position when teams run the ball.
Veteran defensive tackles Earl Mitchell and Andre Branch are solid veterans but have struggled maintaining gap integrity. On the edge, Cameron Wake has remained an elite pass rusher at age 34 and remains solid against the run. Meanwhile Mario Williams seems washed up at age 31.
The Dolphins also get production from veteran Jason Jones up front while working impressive second year defensive tackle Jordan Phillips into the rotation. Phillips is raw and often makes a strong play and then is burnt being out of position on the next play reviewed on the game film.
The biggest issue is the linebackers. Kiko Alonso has been the most consistent and has stayed healthy (only missing one game). Jelani Jenkins (out injured again in week 17) has been the best of the rest but he has been ruled out for Sunday’s game and will have missed seven games this season. Koa Misi went on injured reserve after the third game of the season.
Alonso, Jenkins, and Misi were the starters at linebacker in week two when New England running back LeGarrette Blount rushed 29 times for 123 yards and a touchdown. Last week Alonso had Donald Butler and Neville Hewitt starting alongside him.
Hewitt is a second-year undrafted free agent back-up and special teams player who has had to step into a starting role recently. Hewitt has some good instincts showing up on tape–particularly two strong plays for significant losses in the backfield. However, youth and inexperience does not cover up the fact that he is undersized and may be best as a pass rusher rather than trying to take down LeGarrette Blount.
Butler seemed to be in the middle of big plays in the running game last week–but for all the wrong reasons. He seems to be the key player out of position time and time again when LeSean McCoy was piling up yards on the ground for Buffalo last week. Butler was a starter in San Diego for the past five years and should have been better than he was stepping in when he did during this season for Miami.
The problem for Miami is that they are running out of warm bodies at the position. Spencer Paysinger is a journeyman who did little in four years with the New York Giants and was brought to Miami to play on special teams. He is dealing with a knee injury and is questionable to play as it is. The only other linebackers (Mike Hull and Trevor Reilly–who was signed from the New England practice squad two weeks ago) are special teams contributors only.
Blount pounded the Dolphins’ healthy defense in week two and should continue to pound the weak Miami front seven. The Dolphins have only held an opponent under 100 yards rushing in three games all season (San Diego in week ten was the most recent) and last week the Bills piled up 272 yards on the ground on their way to 589 total yards. Only the ineptitude of Buffalo’s defense and decision-making prevented them from beating Miami in regulation and overtime.
Next: Top 5 Matchups to watch in Week 17
Blount has been the bellcow the Patriots needed this season piling up 1,110 yards in 15 games with a league-leading 17 touchdowns. Although averaging a tick under four yards per carry, Blount has picked up the tough yards and been able to pound the ball home in short-yardage and goal line situations.
Blount and the Patriots should be able to find ample running room against the porous Miami run defense. Getting Blount going early is good for the entire offense and should open up some play-action opportunities for Tom Brady to make a number of big plays downfield.