Miami Dolphins defensive recap Vs Chargers week 10

Kiko Alonso had to have had die-hard Miami Dolphins fans jumping up and shouting with the way he jumped a passing route late in the game to seal this win.

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The history of these teams playing each other have been epic and that seemed to have continued this game with the Miami Dolphins now climbing onto the right side of things.

The Dolphins started Neville Hewitt over Jelani Jenkins but this turned out to be yet another razzle dazzle move in an effort to throw off the other team. Jenkins ended up playing 60 snaps to Hewitt’s 15. Neville Hewitt laid the wood on Melvin Gordon with his limited play and has covered the likes of Gronk so he could have done the same with Gates. When Gates scored Isa Abdul Quddus and Rambo Baccarri were bracketing him, bracket being a loose term as it was a very wide one.

However with Jenkins extended play he reportedly allowed four receptions on five targets for 94 yards and a touchdown playing with a broken hand in a cast. One thing that remains perplexing and has been prevalent for the Dolphins is how auxiliary players that do well never seem to earn more play. On the other hand regular players that turn in mediocre play get the nod. Sure Hewitt had gotten bulled over on solo tackles at times but at least he was about the only one showing proper technique back during that losing streak and if he had help it would have been a tackle rather than a group of players waving their arms at ball carriers and or flailing their own bodies at them.

Here is an example; last game Spencer Paysinger lead the team in tackles and recovered a fumble, this week he is right back to being a special teams stalwart having only 4 defensive snaps, Jenkins had no special teams snaps this game. If Rizzi didn’t want him then Joesph should have had a heads up.

Earl Mitchell and Jordan Phillips had a little playing time both on the field together. This could be the start of something good in a better effort toward stopping the run. There hasn’t seemed to be a good run stuffing duo on the Dolphins going all the way back to the times of Starks and Soliai. Pairing up Wake and Branch has paid off, let’s see how this might pan out.

Speaking of Cameron Wake and Andre Branch; there is just no let up with these two every game they are reeking havoc in the backfield. It is like they both have an appointment to meet at the opposing quarterback and they seldom disappoint. When they do have these meetings it tends to wreck the plans of the Chargers in this case trying to set up for a field goal.

I have grown tired of railing about Bobby McCain every week. Someone else needs to carry this flag. Speaking of flags he has gone from allowing coverage touchdowns in the end zone every week to now getting penalties called on him allowing teams a red carpet walking way to get there. He had 30-yard face mask/PI penalty setup a Chargers field goal and a holding call nullifying a sack. There was a short stint where he got replaced with Michael Thomas.

There were a lot of holding calls on defenders in coverage this game as a result of zone coverage. This can hopefully get worked out leading up to the next game. Where are the reinforcements? Chris Culliver has yet to suit up and play. Lafayette Pitts was made active but only played on special teams. Having front four pressure can only carry you so far, as well as the luck of a high tier quarterback not being one the same page with his receiving corps.

Top defensive grades: from profootballfocus.com

DT Earl Mitchell, 81.9

CB Byron Maxwell, 81.0

LB Nevill Hewitt, 79.8

LB Kiko Alonso, 79.1

DE Mario Williams, 77.7

“Kiko Alonso makes up for otherwise shaky day, makes game’s deciding play

Before his spectacular pick six in the game’s waning moments, Alonso had given up receptions on five of eight targets, and had missed three tackles on the afternoon. His outstanding read and close on an in-cut to his area earned the win for the Dolphins, and keeps Miami in wildcard contention. Elsewhere on defense, Earl Mitchell posted three run stops and three QB hurries, while edge rushers Mario Williams and Cameron Wake combined for three sacks and seven hurries.”

Team Stats
Chargers

First Downs 29
Rush-Yds-TDs 24-70-0
Cmp-Att-Yd-TD-INT 23-44-326-3-4
Sacked-Yards 3-17
Net Pass Yards 309
Total Yards 379
Fumbles-Lost 0-0
Turnovers 4
Penalties-Yards 4-29
Third Down Conv. 6-11
Fourth Down Conv. 0-0
Time of Possession 32:59

This play is the blueprint to beat this defense. It was there all game, intermediate passes were ripe for the taking.

Tony Lippett with the INT in the end zone, Vance Joseph had players in the right spots to confuse the opponent.

This is the play of the game and most likely the season to this point. The score was tied with 1:13 left, Rivers was driving his team to field goal range to secure a win. Kiko Alonso disguised the play as perfectly as a Ninja then made a split second decision on where the ball was being tossed to get out ahead of it secure it and run for the score.

Game notes

• Keeping Melvin Gordon in check throughout the game was a factor in this win.

• Byron Maxwell did a great job reading a play when he dropped into coverage ending a Chargers drive that picked up a few first downs and was on the Dolphins 30 yard line with an interception.

• All 4 interceptions came in the fourth quarter.

• Nine San Diego first downs were the results of Dolphins’ penalties. They allowed over 50% 3rd down conversions and still prevailed.

• Bacarri Rambo is tough he threw a shoulder on Chargers’ D.J. Fluker sending him flying on the play were he was a lead blocker on the play before the Kiko pick six. D.J. Fluker is 6-5, 339lbs Bacarri Rambo is 6-1, 211lbs.

• Mario Williams looked to be playing better however his playing time had to be cut short from an injury sprain to his ankle he is now day-to-day.

• The Dolphins haven’t won on the West Coast since 2010

Last word

This defense played a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde type game with the good doctor part outshining the Mr. Hyde part. All the passing interference and holding calls were kind of hidden when there are 4 interceptions. The Miami Dolphins defense were due for more turnovers looking at the overall recorded. This unit has been coming around as the season wears on, even Earl Mitchell contributed this game with four tackles and two tackles for loss as did Jordan Phillips the last game with an interception.