The Miami Dolphins beat the Houston Texans on Sunday. Here are Miami’s positional grades from the Week 9 game:
Quarterback: D+
While Jacoby Brissett has yet to strike fear in opposing defenses throughout five starts this season, he managed to play below his usual standard. The former Indianapolis Colt filled in for starter Tua Tagovaiola, who suffered a finger injury. Brissett completed just 47% of his passes while throwing two interceptions.
However, Brissett was often under pressure and was sacked twice. The constant pressure caused Brissett to be hesitant even in cases that he had a clean pocket. The NC State product found himself staring down receivers too often, leading to his decisions being quite predictable.
Running Back: F+
Oddly enough, in only the second game that Myles Gaskin averaged below his usual five yards a carry, the Dolphins collected a victory. Gaskin averaged an abysmal 1.5 yards per carry. Surprisingly, Gaskin also totaled a season-high 20 carries. Miami’s lack of passing offense leaves no room for the run whatsoever, causing linebackers to crowd the line of scrimmage rather than emphasizing pass coverage.
Wide Receiver/ Tight End: C-
After veteran wide receiver DeVante Parker was placed on injured reserve, it became clear that rookie Jaylen Waddle was to expect an increased workload. Waddle hauled in eight receptions for 83 yards. Waddle thrived in situations that he received the ball near the line of scrimmage, making plays with the ball in his hand. Tight-end Mike Gesicki is the offense’s clear bright-spot. Gesicki has been a viable option in short/intermediate yardage situations, but made quite the impressive catch on a deep back-shoulder pass on Sunday. Gesicki’s 6-foot-6 frame allows him to gain optimal positioning and leverage over much smaller defensive backs.
Offensive Line: F-
One must wonder how this team would be performing with a sufficient offensive-line. The Dolphins allowed five sacks, causing Jacoby Brissett to be in the face of pressure all game. Miami totaled just 47 rushing yards on 25 attempts. Aside from the offensive-line’s overall struggles, it is accentuated by the fact that there is a constant shuffling of positions among the offensive line.
In fact, Miami’s offensive line has allowed 47 more pressures than the second-worst o-line in the NFL.
Defensive Line/Linebacker: D+
Statistically, the Texans ran the ball at ease on Miami’s defense. The team totaled 73 yards on just 18 attempts for an average of four yards an attempt. 2019 first-round pick Christian Wilkins has done well in facilitating runs to the outside, but Miami’s edge rushers and outside linebackers are struggling to keep the outside contained. Despite collecting four sacks, quarterback Tyrod Taylor maneuvered without a great deal of pressure. Linebacker Jerome Baker hauled in his first interception of the year, demonstrating improvements in zone pass coverage.
Defensive Backs: C-
2021 first-round draft pick Jevon Holland snagged his first career interception. Holland used a classic “bait” technique on quarterback Tyrod Taylor. Holland hinted as if his assigned zone were on the opposite side of the field, in an attempt to trick Taylor into throwing to the “open man”. He then immediately darted across the field and hauled in the interception, fooling the veteran Pro-Bowl quarterback. Seventh-year reserve cornerback Justin Coleman collected his fifth career interception on a tipped-pass.