New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins: Top 5 Takeaways From Week 17

3 – Ground Game Strong Early on

The Miami Dolphins came into this game with the 30th ranked rush defense. Miami had held only held opponents to under 110 yards rushing just three times this season. New England ran the ball plenty with their balanced attack as they ground out 120 yards on 29 carries. In the first half, the Patriots got 100 of those yards on 19 carries.

While the rushing attack struggled in the second-half in a large part to the individual performance of Miami’s young second-year defensive tackle Jordan Phillips. Phillips has played sparingly in his first two seasons as veterans Ndamukong Suh and Earl Mitchell get the majority of the playing time. The 2015 second-round draft pick out of Oklahoma is huge, explosive, and an athletic playmaker.

Phillips took over in the second half of the game as fellow defensive tackle Suh seemed more interested in scrapping with Patriots players. New England running back LeGarrette Blount picked up a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct late for ripping off Suh’s helmet after Suh was up to his usual dirty play under the pile.

Suh also had an offsides penalty earlier in the game in the second quarter which enraged the Foxboro faithful as he sent center David Andrews falling backwards comically. Suh hit the unprotected center high flipping him up in the air as Suh jumped offsides. There was no retaliation by Andrews other than shutting down Suh on the field.

Suh had made a pair of good plays in the running game earlier on that drive stuffing Blount but seemed frustrated as Brady and running back Dion Lewis moved the ball down the field with little resistance. After that penalty Suh disappeared until tousling with Blount in the fourth quarter.

Blount led the way for New England on the ground with 51 yards rushing on 14 attempts and his 18th rushing touchdown of the season. Dion Lewis added 48 yards rushing on 11 attempts as New England continued their balanced approach on offense.