Is this who they are, too? Has their identity changed when no one was looking? Coach Mike McDaniel was talking about a changed strategy — punting on fourth-and-short late in the game — with the way this defense played.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was making the larger point in saying the defense, “willed us through this game.” Another game, actually.
In what’s either the latest phase in a long season or a snapshot of who this team has become, the Dolphins defense carried the lumber again in November while the offense’s mystique is washing away. Or maybe November is a more accurate reflection of who this offense is?
The question now is who this offense becomes. The Dolphins aren’t the only one asking this. The only AFC offense looking special right now is in Baltimore. Come January, who else will emerge?
“We’ll look a lot better when I quit making turnovers,” said Tagovailoa after his fumble and interception were part of a three-turnover day for Miami.
If that’s true, the full truth involves much more to the point November is revealing who the Dolphins are — and what they need to work on.
Their defense has stacked strong performances on each other. Fourteen points against New England (another three from an offensive turnover). Fourteen points against Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City (seven more from a Chiefs’ defensive touchdown).
On Sunday, this defense did to the 31st-ranked Raiders attack exactly what a good defense should. It gave up seven points. Six more points came off turnovers by the Dolphins offense at their 31- and 32-yard line.
The defense contained the damage to field goals. Exactly like they should if they’re a top defense, but precisely like they weren’t in September while learning Vic Fangio’s defense and having some secondary injuries.
“There was some soul-searching to be done,” edge rusher Bradley Chubb said. “Nothing bad, but we didn’t feel like we were playing to our standard. It’s coming together a lot better.”
On Sunday, there was defensive end Jaelan Phillips with six tackles, one-and-a-half sacks and an interception. There was defensive tackle Christian Wilkins tackling a receiver 40 yards downfield.
There, too, was Ramsey making the kind of big plays he’s brought to this defense since returning from injury. These plays turn a good defense into something dominant.
“I don’t know which interception was more impressive,” left tackle Terron Armstead said.
Was it the diving one in front of Raiders receiver Tre Tucker that set up a third-quarter field goal? Or the game-ending one in the end zone where he jumped over a few players and went down hard to the point trainers came out to look at him?
That didn’t even cover a fourth-down play in the fourth quarter where Ramsey cut of the Raiders receiver and actually had the better chance at the ball.
“Mr. Gold Jacket,” Armstead called him in reference to a Hall of Fame wardrobe.
“I think the whole team has gotten a little bit better since he’s (returned from injury),” McDaniel said. “That’s the type of effect that players of that caliber can have on people.”
So, while the Dolphins offense had three turnovers to keep Sunday’s game close the defense closed with three turnovers to seal it. Ramsey was a plus-2 by himself.
“I’m personally not like an analytics guy, but I think the analytics are like if you’re plus-2, you’ve got an 80-percent change of winning,” Ramsey said. “But in the same token if you hold a team to under 17 points then you’ve got an 80-percent chance of winning.
“I guess it’s kind of pick your poison. Would you rather have a lot of turnovers or a locked-down defense? Obviously, you want both.”
The Dolphins had both on Sunday. Sure, it was against a bad Raiders offense. But it was in keeping with a changed November identity for the Dolphins. The offense now has to catch up to the defense.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa looks to throw against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle catches a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle runs for yards after a catch against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa looks to throw against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Fans cheer as the Miami Dolphins take on the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa fakes a hand off to running back Raheem Mostert against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa runs with the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa runs with the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs is brought down by Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland and defensive tackle Christian Wilkins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Miami Dolphins during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Connor Williams and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa before a play against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Salvon Ahmed runs into the end zone for a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Salvon Ahmed celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Fans cheer as the Miami Dolphins take on the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa hands the ball off to running back Raheem Mostert against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert runs with the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert runs with the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins sacks Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa before a play against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa scrambles against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throws against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill bobbles a catch while under pressure against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell is hit by Miami Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Bradley Chubb during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey intercepts a pass intended for Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Tre Tucker during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey lays on the ground after intercepting a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 19, 2023 in Miami Gardens. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Miami Dolphins cornerback Jalen Ramsey gestures after intercepting a pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. (John McCall/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
