SAN DIEGO — Miami has won four consecutive games for the first time since 2008. Many of the choices coach Adam Gase, offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen and defensive coordinator Vance Joseph have made since a 1-4 start have paid great dividends. Sunday was no different. Here’s a look at how much some Dolphins played (or didn’t):
- Branden Albert (41 snaps, 80 percent). When Albert returned to the Dolphins huddle with a soft cast on his left wrist, quarterback Ryan Tannehill asked him what he was doing there. Albert told him he was there to help. Albert missed only 10 snaps despite taking an X-Ray inside aging Qualcomm Stadium. And Miami didn’t seem to miss a beat when Laremy Tunsil slid to left tackle and Kraig Urbik moved into left guard. Still, Miami’s offensive line is strongest with Albert at left tackle.
- Damien Williams (12 snaps, 24 percent). If Williams was an NBA player, he’d lead the league in some statistic about production per minute. Williams is amazing in that when he’s on the field, something happens. On Sunday, Williams scored two touchdowns, one run and one catch. Williams is a versatile weapon that Gase quickly identified as valuable.
- Cameron Wake (43 snaps, 56 percent). Wake played a season-high in snaps and his snaps have increased in each of the last three weeks. Miami is 4-0 since Wake became a starter once again. Wake has six sacks in the last four games and he is playing at a Pro Bowl level. Mario Williams had 26 snaps before leaving the game due to injury.
- Earl Mitchell (31 snaps, 40 percent). Mitchell had four tackles, including two for loss, in his return from a calf injury. Mitchell had one memorable tackle for loss in which he exploded into the backfield, making me think about teammates who marveled this week about how fast his feet are for a big man. Jordan Phillips played 45 snaps and had two tackles. So we’ll see how much more playing time Mitchell takes from Phillips as he ramps up down the stretch of the season.
- Kenyan Drake (2 snaps, 4 percent). One week after being the special teams hero of the game, Drake did have 14 special teams snaps, but was not a factor on offense. It’s more a reflection of Miami’s intent to use Jay Ajayi on 70 to 80 percent of snaps and how dangerous Williams has been as a weapon. Drake had one carry for nine yards and no kick or punt returns.
