MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — In linebacker Jordyn Brooks' estimation, it was only a matter of time before the Miami Dolphins defense improved.
This unit has gotten off to a terrible start to the season, giving up 32.3 points and 145 yards per game heading into Week 4. There were several reasons for this: Miami played with a pair of rookies on defense and several late offseason additions who were still adjusting to the new system.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel stressed the need for patience as this unit worked to build chemistry, and the results have been evident over the past few weeks.
Starting in Week 10, the Dolphins defense looked like a completely different group and allowed Miami (6-7) to ride a four-game winning streak that helped keep the team's playoff hopes alive. In Sunday's 34-10 win over the New York Jets, the Dolphins gave up just 65 yards, recorded a season-high six sacks, three takeaways and allowed just one third-down conversion in 12 attempts.
“Faith,” said Brooks, who leads the NFL with 142 tackles. “You could say we train harder, but we always train harder. We trained hard when we lost. I think the guys work hard, so I don't think it's all about work, it's about belief. Personally, I'm proud of that. It's belief.”
The Dolphins allowed just 13.3 points per game during their four-game winning streak, marking the first time in the last 15 seasons that Miami hasn't given up more than 17 points in four straight games. They also have 10 takeaways and a plus-7 turnover margin since Week 10, the best in the NFL during that period.
“I think it comes down to team effort, intensity — the simplest things, but also the hardest,” McDaniel said. “And it's really a collective effort… I think our style of play is leading to a bigger lead and we need to continue to do that to have any hope of having that kind of success.”
That has helped the Dolphins even as their passing game has waned in recent weeks. After scoring touchdowns on their first three drives Sunday, the Dolphins scored on six of their next seven possessions, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throwing for fewer than 200 yards for the second week in a row.
“I'm not surprised the way we're gaining momentum,” said linebacker Tyrell Dodson, who had an interception Sunday. “We eat dinner together, we drive to the team hotel, we eat lunch together in the cafeteria. It's that camaraderie that makes championship teams. If we keep doing what we're doing, positive things will come to us.”
McDaniel pointed to these player-led team-building techniques as things that have led to recent results on the field, especially after bad games.
“The emotional regulation of a team,” McDaniel said, “and the ability to deal with all the ebbs and flows that happen in a football game, I think that's where you see all of the quarterback's investment really show its face.”
What works
There has been significant improvement in Miami's offensive line play over the course of this season, especially in run blocking. This contributed to the success of the Dolphins' approach. The Dolphins rushed for 239 yards against the Jets, their best mark since the team rushed for 350 yards against Denver on Sept. 24, 2023.
What needs help
Special teams. The Dolphins allowed Jets receiver Isaiah Williams to return a punt 78 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter. Sunday's game marked the second week in a row that Miami's special teams gave up a game-tying play – they also allowed the Saints to recover an onside kick in Week 13 that nearly allowed New Orleans to come back and win.
Stock up
RB Jaylen Wright. After De'Von Achane left with a rib injury in the second quarter on Sunday, Wright stepped in and finished with a career-high 107 yards on 24 carries and his first NFL touchdown.
Stocks fell
TE Darren Waller. After recording 10 catches for 117 yards and four touchdowns in his first three games of the season, Waller was limited to three catches for 60 yards and no scores over the final two games.
Injuries
Achane's rib injury likely won't cause him to miss time, McDaniel said Monday. Achane could have returned for Sunday's game in the event of an emergency, but had to postpone the game as a precaution. McDaniel said the running back will receive treatment this week.
Key number
192.3 is Miami's average over its last four games, the highest in the league since Week 10.
Next steps
The Dolphins will travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night.
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