The Miami Dolphins are 9-5 — yes, 9-5 — and in complete control of their NFL Playoff destiny. Win at Buffalo, beat the Patriots at home and the Dolphins are in. And even if they win only once, their odds are still pretty good.
Dolphins coach
Adam Gase says, “The tape don’t lie.”
So each week, I’ll give the game tape a closer look. Here are some things I noticed:
- Xavien Howard didn’t play like a rookie cornerback and didn’t play like he’s been hurt. The Dolphins and Howard were very patient about his return from a second knee injury and that patience paid off on Saturday night. Howard was supposed to be eased back into the lineup, taking a few snaps away from Byron Maxwell and Tony Lippett. But then Maxwell went out with an ankle injury and Howard played nearly the entire game. Nearly flawlessly. Early in the season, Howard told me he was following Maxwell’s advice to play it safe and keep the play in front of him. On Saturday, Howard played tight, aggressive and physical. He appeared very confident and comfortable. In the second quarter, Howard had really tight coverage on veteran Brandon Marshall, who was locked down. On another deep ball late in the second quarter, it was tight coverage from Howard again. In the third quarter, Howard was defending Robby Anderson on a slant and reached in to break up the pass. In the third quarter, Howard again used his hand to deflect a pass attempt to Marshall along the right sideline. On Sunday, Dolphins coach Adam Gase noted the importance of: “‘X’ (Xavien Howard) coming in and absolutely playing as well as I’ve ever seen him play since he has been with us.” It wasn’t certain Howard would return this season. But he looked like he hadn’t missed a step. And perhaps even benefitted from watching Maxwell and Tony Lippett most of the season.
Dolphins rookie cornerback Xavien Howard got the best of Jets veteran Brandon Marshall.
- Tony Lippett has all the physical tools to be a play-making cornerback. The Tape Don’t Lie and there’s a reason the first two entries into our weekly log are about the Dolphins’ cornerbacks. There was great concern, with great reason, early in the season about this group. Now, suddenly, it’s a strength. If anyone has wondered why the Dolphins felt Lippett could make the transition from Michigan State wide receiver to NFL cornerback, all he/she has to do is watch Lippett’s interception of Bryce Petty, intended for Robby Anderson, in the third quarter. Lippett attacked the ball like a wide receiver, which is the ultimate example of his unique ball skills. Lippett took the approach that he was just as entitled to the ball as Anderson, leaped, fully extended, and snapped it away. If and when Lippett refines his game, he can be a legitimate NFL starting-caliber cornerback. He’s quickly advancing beyond the perception he’s a “late-round project.”
This is Tony Lippett doing Tony Lippett things.
- Matt Moore beats the blitz because he’s a veteran, rusty or not. First-year quarterbacks like the Jets’ Bryce Petty are susceptible to making bad decisons in the face of pressure. But Matt Moore, even though he’s hardly played for five seasons, is no first-year quarterback. When the Jets brought pressure Saturday night, Moore stood in the pocket, knew where to go with the ball and gave his receivers a chance to make plays. At the end of the second quarter, Jets coach Todd Bowles brought eight on a blitz and Moore made him pay. With Jets safety Rontez Miles bearing down, Moore laid it out for Kenny Stills on a deep post touchdown. Moore has the moxie to go vertical. We did see a pass in the first quarter that should have been intercepted, the type of pass Moore can’t afford to take at Buffalo or against New England. But Moore’s confidence and swagger are attributes. As are the experience he showed in repeatedly defeating New York’s blitz on Saturday.
In this photo, Matt Moore is about to get crushed. No worry, no cry.
- Darren Rizzi’s squad, including Walt Aikens, making a special teams impact. There was Walt Aikens, at it again. Aikens is one of the best athletes on the team, a great combination of speed and strength and determination making him a very valuable special teamer. And on a team with standout special teamers Michael Thomas and Mike Hull, it’s not always easy to stand out. Last week, Aikens scored on a two-point block return. On Saturday, Aikens blocked a punt and scored a touchdown. Assistant head coach and special teams coach Darren Rizzi deserves some credit here. Some have wondered how Miami is 9-5 with so many injuries and some unimpressive statistical rankings. One edge the Dolphins have had all season? Special teams play.
Walt Aikens played his college football at Liberty. Lady Liberty is in New York. Just saying.
- EXTRA POINTS. I’m not sure what else can really be said about Cameron Wake, except I wonder if he felt a moment of sympathy for Petty when he and Ndamukong Suh — who could not be blocked in this game — went completely unblocked and crushed the youngster in the ribs and the back. Wake is a very strong contender for NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Wake will surely one day enter the Miami Dolphins’ Ring of Honor. But here’s what Wake is on the verge of doing for the first time as an NFL player — actually participating in a playoff game. Think about how much that would mean to Wake… Kiko Alonso sliced through a gap to tackle Bilal Powell for a stop on fourth down when the score was 7-6 Jets. You have to cut Alonso a break for a few missed tackles because he’s playing with injuries to his hamstring and thumb. But in general, it is very concerning to think about the matchup between Miami’s run defense and LeSean McCoy and LeGarrette Blount in LeLast two games of the season… All Kenny Stills does is catch deep touchdowns. What’s that worth?… Kraig Urbik was an improvement over Anthony Steen at center. It did not surprise me that the move was made after what you may have read in last week’s Tape Don’t Lie. Urbik is a battler and a scrapper and he told me he hopes it snows at Buffalo (he has played for the Bills) next Saturday. Of course, Urbik has a charter back to South Florida… MarQuies Gray and Dion Sims might be the most underrated tight end duo in the NFL. They can both catch and they can both block. Although I admit I did not do extensive research tonight on other possibly underrated tight end duos in the NFL… Miami hasn’t been running the ball effectively and hasn’t been stopping the run effectively, which is the opposite of what every coach says in the Monday meeting. It’s a testament to Moore that he was able to be so effective when Jay Ajayi really never got going against the Jets… What if I had told you the day after the season-opener that Ajayi would rush for 1,000 yards this season?… What if I had told you at 1-4 the Dolphins would win eight of nine?… What if I had told you Miami would lose these players to serious injury or retirement — Ryan Tannehill, Arian Foster, Jordan Cameron, Mike Pouncey, Koa Misi, Reshad Jones and Xavien Howard — and be within striking distance of the playoffs? Adam Gase deserves votes for NFL Coach of the Year, no matter what happens the last two weeks. At 11-5, he should win the award.
Cameron Wake sees ball, Cameron Wake takes ball.
Kiko Alonso has a balky hamstring and busted thumb. Didn’t matter on this fourth-down stop.
yeah, a guy who has never made the playoffs is better than all our QBs. that is a good one.