Dolphins vs. Chiefs: Keys to Potentially Beating Kansas City

Dolphins vs. Chiefs: Keys to Potentially Beating Kansas City

The Miami Dolphins have fallen to 0-2 on the season and are finally heading home to face the Kansas City Chiefs. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, this looks like the Chiefs from the early 2020s, while Miami looks like the team from 2019.

After a successful first half against the 49ers on Sunday, Miami collapsed from the top down and lost in a massacre. Can the offense find a spark? Will the defense earn their first sack of the season? Here are the keys to a potential win against the red-hot Chiefs.

More 11 Personnel for Passing

11 personnel refers to the players in formation, and it accounts for the number of backs and tight ends. Miami has been rolling out in 12 or 21 personnel more often than not, with undrafted rookie fullback DJ Herman getting significant playtime in both losses. The offense clearly hasn’t found its rhythm, and it doesn’t help when the tackle play has been below average and the receivers are inexperienced. Giving Malik Willis a limited number of receivers on a given play isn’t ideal, and the Chiefs love to send pressure whenever they can.

On running plays, Indianapolis found great success in heavier sets. But in passing sets, the Colts found soft spots by running 4 routes and a checkdown to the running back. Miami is in no position to be letting undrafted fullbacks be primary targets, and only 2 below-average receivers are running deep developing routes. Spread the defense out, get the ball to the receivers quickly.

Just Sack the Quarterback

It may be easier said than done, but the Dolphins had way more opportunities to sack Brock Purdy than expected; they just couldn’t deliver. They decided to spy linebackers, knowing Purdy finds success on boot actions, but the spy in question (often Willie Gay) couldn’t make the plays. Rushing 4 won’t get home often, but a delayed blitz may be the answer to pressures and an inevitable sack. Patrick Mahomes doesn’t historically take many sacks, but he’s been one of the worst deep passers in the league since Tyreek Hill was traded. Letting a delayed linebacker enter either the A or B gap may speed up his processing and keep deep plays from succeeding.

If the Dolphins desperately want a sack during quick game, they’ll need to rush 3 through the middle and blitz an outside defender (slot corner, safety, corner) and play tight zone. This would hopefully make the quarterback double-check his first read, giving the blitzer time to get home. Miami found success from these types of calls during Vic Fangio’s short tenure as defensive playcaller.

Be Brazen

This was never the likely win for Miami. It was a very tough first stretch of games for the team, with Las Vegas being the only matchup they looked to be contenders for (on paper). It is no time to be soft – Miami needs to play hard. Bobby Slowik needs to lock in with his playcalling and have explosive plays. Defense needs to force turnovers, and offense needs to subsequently go all out to score. Settling for field goals, especially with the 66% rate Riley Patterson is currently offering the team, is not how you win games.

Miami really hasn’t had much to be happy about through 2 games. Safeties Zayne Anderson and Michael Taaffe look solid, rookie backer Jacob Rodriguez is a future star, and edge rusher Josh Uche is a pleasant surprise. Outside of that, nothing jumps out on film. They need to be consistent and come out hot every drive.

On a positive note, the 2019 team this current roster draws many comparisons to started off way worse in the first half of the season. Playoffs were always out of the equation, but building a solid foundation for this rebuild will happen week by week.

Let’s see if the Miami Dolphins can shock the world and follow the 3 keys to the game to beat the Kansas City Chiefs.