Miami Dolphins Xavien Howard shines on Monday night

On Monday night the Miami Dolphins shocked the New England Patriots and in doing so kept their playoff hopes alive. Albeit slim but hopes nonetheless. Xavien Howard continued his new-found mission.

After two seasons Howard looked to be heading into the 2nd round bust category. He was always serviceable but only to a small degree. Many fans thought that he should be a target for upgrade at season’s end. Now, not so much.

Howard now has four interceptions in his last two games after picking off Tom Brady twice on Monday night. More impressive was his ability to hold star Patriot receiver Brandon Cooks without a catch. Cooks had one catch on the entire night and that was when Howard wasn’t covering him.

Howard made plays all day and looked more like Darrell Revis than Xavien Howard. In other words, he created an island and wouldn’t let Tom Brady visit. Howard was explosive. His first pick came three plays into the Patriots first offensive possession. Later in the game he showcased a surprising closing speed to take another one out of the air.

The Patriots continued to try to get Cooks the ball throughout the game but Howard broke up passes and kept the receiver out of his routes. Miami used a press coverage most of the game and it worked perfectly.

Howard’s lone mistake wasn’t a mistake. On a deep throw to Cooks, Howard was flagged for defensive pass interference at the one yard line setting up an early go ahead score for the Patriots. The only time they would lead the game. It lasted about two and half minutes.

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On the play Howard never looked back for the ball but he also didn’t make contact with Cooks who put his hand on the facemask of Howard pushing him away. The flag should have been on Cooks.

It’s the second week in a row that Howard has had a big game. He had a pick six off Trevor Siemien a week before. Something is clicking for Howard and it is coming at the right time. With the Dolphins pass pressure creating issues the last two weeks for opposing quarterbacks, Howard is making the most of the opportunity.

Howard now needs to build off this momentum and not get out of position. He is making plays because he is getting himself into position to make plays. He can’t over commit or try too hard because that is when mistakes happen. Simply continue to do what he is doing because it is working.

After two games in a row now, that bust label isn’t looking so bad right now.