MIAMI GARDENS — Give some love to the Miami Dolphins’ defense, which played more than a supporting role in Sunday’s 70-20 dominant victory over the Denver Broncos. The defense, hard as it is to believe, was a star.
“We just played together,” linebacker Jerome Baker said. “It’s as simple as that.”
You’d think it’d be hard to shine when the offense scores 10 touchdowns and a franchise-record amount of points.
The Dolphins’ defense, one of the season’s big reclamation projects along with the offensive line and the run game, got some shine, however.
Consider what the Dolphins’ defense did:
*It produced three turnovers, one sack and a punishing 12 quarterback hits against Denver’s Russell Wilson while holding the Broncos offense to 13 points (the Broncos scored a touchdown on a kickoff return);
*It helped defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and edge rusher Bradley Chubb defeat the team that fired one and traded the other;
Perhaps best of all, the defense justified the huge vote of confidence coach Mike McDaniel gave it during the second quarter.
On fourth-and-1, McDaniel decided to go for it from his own 34-yard line. The Dolphins were holding a fairly commanding 21-10 lead, but a slip-up and the game becomes a lot closer.
Sure enough, Dolphins fullback Alec Ingold was stopped for no gain and Denver took over.
But the Dolphins defense held the Broncos to a three-and-out (after a Denver false start on first down) before the offense marched 86 yards in six plays to take a 28-10 lead.
Denver’s next possession lasted two plays before safety Jevon Holland punched the ball out. It was one of two fumbles Holland forced, both of which the Dolphins recovered. Linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel recovered this fumble and returned it three yards to Denver’s 29 before the offense scored again to take a 35-10 halftime lead.
“We’re slowly building as the season progresses,” Holland said, “but we’ve got things to do.”
And they’re doing them. The Fangio defense, which has played without star cornerback Jalen Ramsey (knee) all season and played last week without Phillips, has been getting better each game. One of its keys is its versatility.
Defensive lineman Zach Sieler has noticed.
“I think that’s one thing about coach Fangio with this defense,” Sieler said, “is he’s making it so multiple, and it works with so many players, and he knows how to call it, and we’re learning how to play in the defense to make it the most multiple and interchangeable up front.
“It doesn’t matter who’s in, everyone knows how to do what’s required.”
Speaking of Fangio, he said this game wasn’t a matter of revenge against the team that fired him in 2021 after three seasons as head coach.
Chubb, traded to Miami from Denver at last season’s trade deadline, wasn’t as diplomatic. But he did choose his words carefully. He said last week this game was a bit personal. And on Sunday, he said he took pleasure seeing Denver not have success.
“I’m not cheering for anybody to not have success,” he said, “but it always feels good when you’re on the other side of it.”
The Dolphins defense succeeded Sunday after making big changes in the secondary. Apple, who was called for two key pass interference penalties in the fourth quarter of last week’s 24-17 victory at New England, wasn’t a starter in the nickel package. He was replaced by Justin Bethel in the nickel, and Parry Nickerson played in the dime. So apparently Apple isn’t a key player any longer.
As for Phillips, he left in the second quarter and didn’t return, but Andrew Van Ginkel, one of the stars from last week, and Emmanuel Ogbah, a star from two years ago, filled in admirably. Ogbah even had an interception.
Overall, Denver was miserable offensively, and that was because of Miami’s defense. It was 3 for 12 on third downs, held to 69 yards rushing, Wilson was 23 for 38 for 306 yards with one touchdown and one interception for a pedestrian 83.9 passer rating, and Denver was 1 of 4 in the red zone.
Now, the Dolphins and their defense shuffle off to Buffalo for a showdown next week at Highmark Stadium.
This defense has found answers through three games.
But Baker knows the Bills, quarterback Josh Allen and wide receiver Stefon Diggs will be ready.
“Today was one of those historic things that rarely do you see that happen,” Baker said. “I’m sure they’re going to say, ‘They’re not going to do that in our house.’ They’re going to have the right mindset. We’ve got to go up there and take our defense and play together. You never know what could happen.”
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert runs with the ball against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert runs with the ball against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert rolls into the end zone for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa gestures before a play against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa looks to throw against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throws against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill runs for yards after a catch against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill runs for yards after a catch against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa congratulates wide receiver Tyreek Hill after a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Devon Achane runs with the ball against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Devon Achane runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Devon Achane is congratulated by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa after scoring a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Devon Achane celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa gestures before a play against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throws against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throws against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Devon Achane dives into the end zone for another touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Devon Achane celebrates with teammates after scoring another touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa celebrates after a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Fans cheer as Miami Dolphins score against against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Players from the Miami Dolphins celebrate after a touchdown by running back Raheem Mostert against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Sep. 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins celebrate after a touchdown by running back Raheem Mostert against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday.(John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
