7 things we learned in the Miami Dolphins dominating win over the Saints
By Matt Serniak
![Brandon Jones . (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) Brandon Jones . (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)](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-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F08-2F1361447773-850x560-2230b83d9358fc1b89c3e02dce03a00722f70e0b19e409f08a8490ecc23a4cbe.jpg)
I might go into further detail with this thought later in the week, but the Dolphin’s defense is at a must-watch level. When they’re on the field, it is appointment viewing. Yes, they’re feasting on bad quarterbacks, but I don’t care. They’re hammering these guys into the dirt and I can’t get enough of it. I don’t think Brian Flores can either and it’s why he wants them on the field as often as possible.
The Dolphins lead the NFL with 45 sacks.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) December 29, 2021
Titans QB Ryan Tannehill is second in the NFL, sacked 45 times. pic.twitter.com/ScGL7fXS5h
A little bit of foreshadowing here but the Dolphins are in fact the #1 team in sacks. They’re doing an excellent job of mixing up bringing pressure and dropping back into coverage while looking they’re bringing the house on every 3rd down.
I know we all want them to throw the kitchen sink on every 3rd down and when they don’t we say stuff like “why are they not blitzing more guys?” It’s because the Dolphins are getting pressure with four and even three guys. Andrew Van Ginkel, who is playing the best football of his career, in my opinion, Emmanuel Ogbah, who needs to be paid, Jaelan Phillips is close to eight sacks a game, Zach Sieler, who is rightfully getting more snaps, and Christian Wilkins, who is a leader on this team is causing so much havoc that Miami doesn’t need to blitz all the time. That’s really the goal here, to get to the quarterback while having the most guys possible in coverage. Like the goal of the Avengers is to eventually not have to stop aliens and bad guys anymore, the goal of the Dolphin’s defense is to sack the quarterback with the least amount of guys.
I said foreshadowing and that tweet has Ryan Tannehill, remember him, getting sacked. I see no reason for the Dolphin’s defensive strategy to change that much. We know Tannehill can move well, but that doesn’t matter. We know very well that Tannehill has the pocket presence of an ant and that he will tuck the ball and fall over if you rush him, especially up the gut. I can’t wait to see what Flores and the gang throw at Tannehill. It will be must-watch.