Miami showed some life in the run game, but the defense looked DOA
The Miami Dolphins’ 35-13 loss to San Francisco was uglier than expected, but it was also a very different kind of loss than Week 1. There were still major problems, particularly on defense, but the offensive foundation finally looked closer to what this team should be trying to build around.
Still, the penalties, lack of pass rush, assignment breakdowns in the secondary, and Austin Jackson is a lot of ugly in the soup.
But some of this will smooth out as we go…hopefully. Miami must find a way to get at least one win, and there’s ways to go before that happens.
Run Game Woke Up
The biggest positive was the commitment to the run game. Miami finished with roughly 100 rushing yards and spent far more time operating from under center, working the interior and creating opportunities for play action. That is the formula this offense needs. The execution was far from clean, but the structure was better, and that matters.
The offensive line remains a mixed bag. Patrick Paul was relatively steady, while Kayden Proctor showed the power and movement ability that made him such an important piece of the rebuild, even with some rookie mistakes mixed in. The bigger concern is the right side. Austin Jackson continued to struggle, Jonah Savaiinaea had some losses inside, and Aaron Brewer has not played to expectations through two weeks.
Malik Willis remains the biggest offensive question. He made plays outside the pocket and flashed the arm talent that made Miami invest in him, but he still looks uncomfortable working through progressions from inside the pocket. That is ultimately where his season will be decided. Two games are not enough to make a final judgment, but he also has not done enough yet to quiet the questions.
Defense Was God Awful!
Defensively, the picture is much more concerning.
It didn’t take the best football software to know Miami generated virtually no pass rush, and that is a disastrous combination with a zone-heavy defense and a struggling cornerback room. The run defense held up reasonably well, but San Francisco consistently found space through the air. The lack of pressure left the secondary exposed, while the cornerback group struggled with cushions, processing and coverage.
The linebacker and safety groups were more encouraging, with Jacob Rodriguez and Michael Taaffe among the players who showed useful flashes, but Miami still has a major structural problem: if the front cannot affect quarterbacks, the rest of Jeff Hafley’s defense is going to be under constant pressure.
There are also discipline and special-teams concerns. Penalties repeatedly damaged the offense, while a missed field goal and a muffed punt erased valuable opportunities.
How ugly was that dropped punt!
Two weeks in, Miami’s direction is becoming clearer. The run game and interior physicality provide something real to build around. But quarterback development, the right side of the offensive line, pass rush and cornerback play are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
The Dolphins showed more of the identity they need.
Now they have to prove they can actually build on it…hopefully they will soon.
