Likes and dislikes from the Miami Dolphins loss to the Packers

Like: Run defense was stout

Green Bay’s offense had been very reliant on the running game this season due to quarterback Aaron Rodgers not having receiver Davante Adams and him having trouble adjusting to his new receivers. The Packers were 12th in the league in rushing yards per game and looked to continue that trend against the Dolphins, but the Dolphins’ run defense bottled up the Packers’ running backs and forced Rodgers to make plays through the air.

The Packers only managed 79 yards on 25 carriers and the running back duo of Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon combined for just 17 carries for 61 yards. With Miami’s next two games featuring matchups against the run-heavy New England Patriots and New York Jets, a stellar performance against the run bodes well.

Dislike: Where’s the love for Mike Gesicki?

This point isn’t specific to Sunday’s game, but it’s something that needs to be addressed: why isn’t tight end Mike Gesicki being featured more in the offense? With Tagovailoa being up and down the last month, a reliable tight end may have been able to help, but Gesicki’s production has been non-existent.

After hauling in 73 catches for 780 yards and two touchdowns a season ago, Gesicki has become a non-factor in the Miami offense. Over the last five games, he has only caught two passes for 29 yards and been targeted just seven times. What is the logic in not using one of your best weapons, especially when that weapon is a 6-foot-6, 247-pound tight end that can create mismatches in the middle of the field? When analyzing all the top teams in the NFL this season, they all get good-to-great production from the tight end position. McDaniel has seen firsthand how effective a great tight end can be when he was in San Francisco designing plays for George Kittle. Gesicki is no Kittle, but he’s too good to not utilize.