6 keys of the game for the Dolphins to beat the Saints
By Matt Serniak
![Dec 19, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Christian Wilkins (94) celebrates with teammates after catching a pass for a touchdown against the New York Jets during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports Dec 19, 2021; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins defensive end Christian Wilkins (94) celebrates with teammates after catching a pass for a touchdown against the New York Jets during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fphinphanatic-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F17385587-850x560-e89b6b7048277efac83771d5ea7c8c1941489c4d42098200364adbfefdb11fa7.jpg)
We know Alvin Kamara is going to get his touches. We know he’s going to get his targets. These are a given. What isn’t in stone is how much damage he’s going to do when he has the ball in his hands. Love my stats today so here’s some more. The Dolphins rank 7th in rushing yards allowed in the league and are 4th against the run over their last three games.
The interior lineman of Wilkins, Sieler, and Davis is the biggest reason why the Dolphins have been so stout against the run. These guys have been on a mission to show everyone that it’s not all about Howard and the secondary. They’re right. They are a major reason why the defense has so much swag.
In Kamara’s last six games he has only topped over 75 yards rushing only once. But don’t let that stat fool you. We all know what Alvin Kamara can do. Remember last year’s Christmas day game? he had six touchdowns as he laughed at the Vikings for even believing for one moment they could stop him.
When the Saints split him out wide, the Dolphins have to account for him and understand that the ball will come his way. You know how you see a team’s running back is lined up at receiver and you know there’s almost no way that the quarterback will go his way, that’s not how it works for Kamara. Hill will go his way because he’s that good and that there aren’t many viable pass-catchers on the team. Whether it’s Baker, Jones, or Rowe, they need to know there’s a very good chance the ball is coming their way.
Let everyone else on the Saints try and beat the Dolphin’s defense. I can live with that approach.