POLITASPORTS

Tua and the offense appeared to have picked up right after the Ravens game last year. The offense lead by Hill and Tua conducted the Charges defense up and down the field; however, the Fins D wasn’t the insulator Fins Fans were hoping after the addition of Fangio. I would call it a sieve, but a sieve at least temporarily retains what is sifting as it passes through; this revamped defense couldn’t even do that. It was barely a choke point; offering a minor inconvenience to the Charger offense as it passed by on route to the end-zone. Fortunately the offense in exhilarating fashion retook the lead (a beautiful fade from Tua to Hill) leaving the Chargers trailing and needing to gain forty to fifty yards to attempt a game winning field goal with little time and fewer time outs. During these five plays the defense performed, sacking Herbert twice and drawing an intentional grounding flag leaving the Chargers 30 yards behind the sticks at one point on their final drive.

Coaching: (C+); This is a harsher grade than the outcome would normally dictate; however, the fact that the defense still continues to be the team’s biggest problem is troubling, even in Week 1. Last year I placed culpability on the philosophic harmony between the offense and defense:

“It appears more and more that the poorest decision the Dolphins made in hiring Mike McDaniel was to keep Boyer. Of course McDaniel maintains it was his decision, either way, it hasn’t worked out. The defense has been the biggest let down. It was designed to force turnovers and get off the field quickly, to face as few plays as possible. Could it be that the combination of a quick strike explosive offense doesn’t mesh with a risk it all blitzing defense? I tend to believe so. It is one thing to go all out on D with man coverage and sell out blitz packages when your offense is controlling the clock and keeping the ball away from the opposition. The D has less time on the field. Less situations to defend. When you are scoring quick and losing the time of possession battle, the D has a greater likelihood of being exposed. McDaniel and Boyer need to sit down and figure this out, and quickly.”

https://politasports.com/2022/12/05/dolphins-san-francisco-week-xiii-grades/

After Week 1 even with a more methodical defensive scheme, you still need to make it difficult on the defense. Miami failed to do this for 98% of “the match.” The defense can not “force” punts, the offense must choose to send their kicking unit onto the field, but a defense can make plays, Miami, made just enough.

Running Backs: (B-); This game was an aerial battle. Tom Cruise, not Hanks would’ve have been on the marquee had it played in cinemas. Therefore I won’t judge the backs too harshly. As a unit they averaged over four yards per carry and were effective as check downs in the passing game, especially Ingold.

Receivers: (A+); Miami’s top two options had nearly 300 yards receiving (293), no matter the break down, that is getting it done. Undoubtedly Hill deserves the bulk of the praise with his MCU style heroism 11 catches, 215 yards, 2 touch downs. It was Duper-esque! Waddle had several receptions over the middle he turned into nice gains, averaging 20 yards/catch for 78 total and Cracraft caught Tua’s other TD throw. Stellar day from this group.

Defense: (D+); The defensive line, until the final drive, was underwhelming. Wilkins, Sieler and Philips did apply pressure on that Chargers possession with Sieler and Philips combining for 1.5 sacks and of course the intentional grounding penalty. The secondary contributed and nearly forced a safety on a Herbert sack, but too often got beat deep and gave up far too many big plays. The Chargers finished with a balanced attack gaining over 200 yards through the air and on the ground. This much flex without forcing a turnover will normally not net a W.

Special Teams: (D); Sorry Sanders, I know you converted all your field goals, including the game winner at the end of the first half they gave away, but missing that PAT is unacceptable. It gave the Chargers a chance to win instead of tie the game at the end.

Quarterback: (A-); When Tua threw that pick I may have sent a text to family and friends that read “Tua is garbaggio” but that of course was only reverse psychology and obviously it worked. You may all thank me later. He played his best football after that interception. Connecting on two gorgeous deep balls to Hill, one for a score and one under pressure on the game winning drive. As nice as those throws were; his game winning toss to Hill was his best of the day. Perfect location, perfect velocity, and perfect touch…. PLVT. Great game. Now just need sixteen more like it.

Overall: (B); Victory will always get you on the honor roll. But if Miami wants to start making the Dean’s List, they need to address the defense. Shoot outs are fun, but I’d much rather just win 36 -17.