Does Anyone realize this about our D

[FinfanInBuffalo]

You are correct that they get more chances to be exposed, because Miami keeps the game close.

That does not change things though. Several times they have shut teams down until their very last drive and then failed to finish. In '02 Miami was 1-4 in games with the D on the field and the game on the line. (Last drive situations)

Let me see if I understand where that stat is coming from. Miami had 7 losses in 2002:

L 48-30 at Kansas City Chiefs
L 23-10 vs Buffalo Bills
L 24-10 at Green Bay Packer
L 13-10 at New York Jets
L 38-21 at Buffalo Bills
L 20-17 at Minnesota Vikings
L 27-24 at New England Patriots (OT)

Of those 7 losses, only three were lost by one score or less (NYJ, Vikings, Pats). Of those games, only Minn and the Pats scored very late (i.e. no time for the offense to respond) or in OT. In the Jets game, Miami got the ball back with an opportunity to win and couldn't do it. In addition, holding a team to 13 points should be good enough.

In the NE game, a 23 yd punt by Royals setup the Pats at the Mia 34 yd line. They proceeded to gain 9 yards and kick a FG that sent the game into OT. The defense did stop them at the end of regulation (unfortunately they don't get credit for that).

During that season, they were able to prevent the Raiders from scoring late.

Perhaps you meant that the D succeeded against the Raiders and didn't against the Jets, Vikings, and Pats. In reality, they didn't close the deal against the Broncos either, but Fiedler led a drive with 40 sec remaining to win that one.

I supposed that does put them at 1-4 but the Jets and Broncos weren't really last drive situations.

That is why they made some personel moves after that season. Last season the D setup the offense against Indy with two turnovers late. The last one was at the Indy 15 yd line. The also got two turnovers late against the Ravens, shutout the Reskins in the 4th quarter, and stopped the Jets late.

I still maintain that the frequency that they are put in that position is the biggest problem.

 

[Phin19]

"I still maintain that the frequency that they are put in that position is the biggest problem"


exactly!
if our offense improves the D will look great. it`s the lack of a supporting offense what has haunted them for years. watch NE , i`ve seen their defense fold many times but they have an offense that can win the game.

 

[Dolphanaholic]

Subtract Wyrick for Poole or anybody with a pulse we win that game !

 

[djfresh47]

y

Plus the Dolphins' defense has actually been on the field for 4 fewer plays this season than the Dolphins' offense. I think it's the pressure of knowing that they have ZERO margin for error that causes them to crack late.

I think that's a better endorsement for the defense than the offense. Our offense has 24 first downs. Our d has been outstanding. What kills this team is when the offense costs this team points, 2 ints for tds kills the defense, and we've had 2 turnovers while in scoring position. Any points on our opening drive v Pitt would give this offense a huge confidence boost.