New England Patriots vs Miami Dolphins: Scouting Report
By Hal Bent
When the Patriots run the ball
As bad as Miami has been against the pass, they have hardly been stout against the run in 2019. However, last week against Cincinnati, the Dolphins held Joe Mixon (who ran roughshod over the Patriots just two few weeks ago) to only 50 yards rushing on 21 carries.
Last year’s third-round draft pick Jerome Baker has continued to thrive in the middle of the Dolphins defense. Raekwon McMillan, a 2017 second round draft pick, was added to the injured reserve last week and is out. That leaves yet another former Patriots practice squad player Calvin Munson next to Baker on the inside.
At outside linebacker Miami has leaned on this year is former Saints and Packers linebacker Vince Biegel, although he is questionable after being limited with an elbow injury all week. Miami has also used another former Patriots practice squad player at outside linebacker in Trent Harris.
Rookie undrafted free agent Samuel Eguavoen and rookie fifth round draft pick Andrew Van Ginkel have also contributed on the edge.
The Dolphins’ 2017 first-round draft pick Charles Harris was a starter much of the season on the edge, but the past two games he has been a DNP-CD (did not play, coach’s decision). With just 3.5 sacks over 40 games in his three seasons in Miami, it is clear that this coaching staff is ready to turn the page on another disappointing draft pick from the Adam Gase era.
Up front, there is hope for the future in Miami. Davon Godchaux, a 2017 fifth-round draft pick, has continued to grow as a big-bodied run stuffer and pocket collapser. Christian Wilkins, Miami’s first-round draft pick this season, has been fighting an ankle injury this week, but he has flashed the talent that could make him a potential star at times this year. Journeyman John Jenkins adds a veteran presence to the defensive line.
New England is slowly rediscovering their running game now that left tackle Isaiah Wynn is back in the lineup. In their last five games, they have rushed for 101, 145, 94, 175 and 143 yards on the ground.
Other than disappearing against Kansas City, Sony Michel has led the way, running well against Dallas (85 yards and 4.25 yards per rush average), Houston (45 yards and 4.5 yards per rush average), Cincinnati (89 yards and 4.68 yards per rush average), and last week against a strong Buffalo unit (96 yards on 21 rushes for a 4.6 yards per rush average).
Add in a healthy Rex Burkhead (11 rushes for 73 yards over the past two weeks) spelling Michel and then James White contributing more on the ground (179 yards rushing in the last four games), and the offense has been more effective on the ground of late.
Along with Wynn, the return to health of Ted Karras has helped. His play has been exceptional in the past two weeks against strong interior players versus Cincinnati (Geno Atkins) and Buffalo (Ed Oliver). In addition, guards Shaq Mason and especially Joe Thuney have looked more comfortable with Karras back after he left early against Houston and missed the loss to Kansas City with a knee injury.
The Dolphins played well against the run last week against Cincinnati, but this New England offensive line is much better than the Bengals’ unit. If the Patriots can get the running game going early, it should open up the play-action passing game that gave the Bills fits last week.