Miami Dolphins’ run defense impressive after two weeks

After two weeks of Miami Dolphins football one area that was supposed to be a major problem has looked more like a strength even.

Coming into the 2018 season experts and fans alike were doubting the Dolphins’ ability to stop the run.  During the offseason the Dolphins allowed their best run defender, defensive tackle, Ndamukong Suh to leave during free agency.  Suh’s departure from a Miami defense that finished the 2017 season in the middle of the pack against the run only seemed to support those opinions.

The Dolphins finished 14th overall against the run in 2017 giving up 110.5 yds per game on 4.1 yds per carry to opposing running backs, per ESPN.com

After two weeks of football this season, the Dolphins currently boast the 3rd ranked overall run defense in the league.  Miami has given up a meager 79 yds per game on a paltry 3.3 yds per carry.  The defense was put to the test early.

Tennessee came in week one with a rushing offense that finished in the top half of the league in 2017.  It was thought that the 240 pound Derrick Henry would steamroll the undersized linebackers of the Dolphins.  However, Miami was up to the task holding Henry to 26 yds on ten carries.

In week two the Dolphins took their defense on the road to New York to play the Jets, who were coming off an impressive 169 yard rushing performance against the Detroit Lions in week one.  The Dolphins suffocated the Jets’ running backs giving up mere 42 rushing yards.

Isaiah Crowell who surpassed the 100 yard mark in week one was stymied, managing only 35 yds on 2.9 yds per carry, per ESPN.com

It remains to be seen if the Dolphins can continue its early season performance but if Matt Burke’s  defense can continue to shut down the opposing team’s running game it should bode well for the Dolphins to continue their winning ways.