How the Dolphins Defense Set the Tone for Remainder of Season

In the Miami Dolphins’ 38-14 victory over the Oakland Raiders in Week 4, the team exhibited dominance on offense and defense throughout the game. As well as quarterback Ryan Tannehill led an explosive offensive performance, the defense stepped up and stymied the Raiders offense.

After allowing a touchdown pass on the opening drive, the Raiders failed to find the end zone again until the fourth quarter, when the game was well out of reach.

Despite a poor first series, in which Miami allowed the Raiders to march 74 yards on 10 plays, Miami was able to take control after Oakland's offense exhausted all of its scripted plays. The talented Dolphins defense then dominated the Raiders for the rest of the game, forcing four turnovers and two sacks.

Let’s take a look and see how each layer of the Dolphins defense was able to put together a solid outing.

Defensive Line

Throughout the matchup with the Raiders, the Dolphins defensive line was impressive. Despite having only two sacks, Miami still disrupted Oakland's passing attack.

According to PFF, the Dolphins’ defensive line created eight quarterback hurries, which had a major impact on the Raiders young quarterback duo of Derek Carr and Matt McGloin.

Carr appeared to be rattled in the pocket, especially on deeper passing plays. His 5.8 yards per pass attempt was largely caused by the ability of the Miami defensive line to get pressure in his face. Take a look at the screenshot below, which features star defensive end Cameron Wake jumping off the snap with excellent speed.

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With Wake constantly creating pressure, the Raiders offense had little opportunity to take downfield shots. They completed just two passes longer than 20 yards, one of which required a tremendous one-handed catch.

Jared Odrick, the Dolphins’ versatile and valuable pass-rusher, was also a menace for the interior offensive line of Oakland. His ability to penetrate blew up multiple running plays before they could ever get going. The Raiders averaged just 2.9 yards per carry on 18 attempts, which is indicative of the impressive play of the Dolphins front seven.

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Linebackers

Despite missing middle linebacker Koa Misi for the fourth consecutive week, the Dolphins linebackers were able to take advantage of the lanes created by the defensive line's dominant play.

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Very quietly, strong side linebacker Philip Wheeler has been much improved since he took over for Dannell Ellerbe, who was lost for the season to injury. Despite starring at the position with the Oakland Raiders in 2012, Wheeler had been situated exclusively on the weak side prior to Week 2. Wheeler often appeared to be lost in space at the weak side, struggling to diagnose plays instead of playing instinctively. Since moving to his more natural spot, he’s earned PFF’s third-highest grade of all 4-3 outside linebackers.

The film on Wheeler has been as impressive as his grade. His much-maligned open-field tackling seems to have improved since being moved closer to the line of scrimmage, as he hasn’t yet missed a tackle since the switch. Wheeler also improved his pass coverage, which was a liability a year ago. In 2014, however, he’s allowed just four receptions for 32 yards, per PFF.

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The surprise of 2014 has been weak-side linebacker Jelani Jenkins, who continues to be graded as PFF’s top 4-3 outside linebacker in the NFL. Jenkins was brilliant against the Raiders, constantly filling running lanes and staying disciplined with his gap integrity. Despite logging just three solo tackles, Jenkins was in excellent position throughout the game and was a major reason why the Raiders couldn’t run the ball effectively.

At middle linebacker, Jason Trusnik was able to recover after Raiders’ tight end Brian Leonhardt beat him on a crossing route in the end zone. Trusnik is a physically limited player, but the Raiders were unable to reach the second level of the Dolphins defense on running plays because of the pressure created by the front seven. That’s the power of 11 players executing, and the linebacker unit took full advantage of the stellar play in front of them in Week 4.

Secondary

Entering Sunday’s contest, the Dolphins had been unable to force an interception. The inability of the defense to create takeaways meant that the defense couldn't get off the field and that the team was usually losing the field-position battle. After signing veteran Louis Delmas and Cortland Finnegan to start in the secondary, the Dolphins were expecting to force more turnovers, not fewer.

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In Week 4, Miami saw their investments pay off, as the D recorded three interceptions and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. Whether the turnovers will jump-start more aggressive play from the secondary remains to be seen, but the turnover explosion was a welcomed sight.

Despite lining up in off-man coverage for 28 of 38 passing plays, according to my own charting, the Dolphins plucked two interceptions on comeback routes. Through the first three weeks, the Dolphins often played so far off opposing receiver, that it was simple for opposing receivers to run quick-hitting underneath routes such as slants or hitches.  The results were ugly; the short completions ensured that the defense couldn’t get off the field.

The Raiders were unable to exploit Miami’s cornerbacks in Week 4 because of a better mix of alignment by defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle. By playing press man and on-ball coverage 10 times, the cornerbacks were at least closer to the receiver, forcing more difficult throws.

It won’t be possible for the Dolphins to be overly physical in their secondary because of the size of cornerbacks Brent Grimes and Cortland Finnegan, but being less predictable is necessary. Week 4 was the first step to that.

Second-year cornerback Jamar Taylor also continues to separate himself from his main competition, Will Davis, for playing time. Davis was beaten for a 22-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, as he again showed a poor technique. Meanwhile, Taylor didn’t allow a completion on any of the three passes he was targeted, per PFF.

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Davis fits best in a Cover 3 or Cover 2 zone, where he can avoid turning his head and running with the receiver downfield. When he can stay facing the quarterback, he's been around the ball.

Rookie safety Walt Aikens showed his immense physical talents when he joined the interception party in the fourth quarter. Aikens read McGloin’s eyes perfectly, and then jumped the receiver’s route as the ball arrived. The fourth-round pick from Liberty could develop into an impact player in time, and his debut only reaffirms that.

The Dolphins defense was able to match a solid game plan and tremendous execution against the Oakland Raiders’ offense. Although the Raiders aren’t a very good team, the Dolphins defense showed that it was able to recover from an early touchdown drive, and that Miami defenders are capable of forcing turnovers. That win and the performance by the defense could give Miami the type of momentum it desperately needed entering its Week 5 bye week.

And the bar has been set for the Dolphins defense, as Miami must continue to execute at a high level the rest of the season.

All stats used are from Pro Football Focus' Premium Stats (subscription required) or sports-reference.com. All contract information is courtesy of Spotrac.com.

Ian Wharton is a Miami Dolphins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, contributor for Optimum Scouting, and analyst for FinDepth. 
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