Much improved Defense a Good Sign for Dolphins

Earlier in this season, Anthony Weaver‘s defensive group kept underachieving and cost the team wins against the Panthers and Chargers.

Yet, over the last two weeks, there have been signs of progress in his unit.

Today, Weaver’s defense had its best day and resembled the unit that was so strong in the back half of last year.

Along with the rushing defense holding a vaunted Falcons running attack to just 10 yards in the first half, Miami also finally got consistent pressure on the opposing quarterback.

Coming into the year, it looked like the front seven was going to be the team’s biggest strength, and for the first time this season in the win today, it was.

Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson, and Bradley Chubb each showed up with multiple pressures, while Jordyn Brooks maintained his brilliant play with multiple tackles for loss and a sack.

Even rookies like Kenneth Grant and Jordan Phillips showed their continued improvement on the interior.

It was not just the front seven that showed up, as the secondary also had a strong day.

Minkah Fitzpatrick continues to play like one of the best players on the team, while Rasul Douglas seems to make a big play every week after only being added one week before the season.

Dante Trader Jr., after being benched last week, redeemed himself with a couple of big hits on the day as well.

Miami will need this defense to continue to be strong if they want to dig themselves out of this huge hole they find themselves in.

However, there is some precedence for this as when the Dolphins were 2-6 a year ago, it was the defensive resurgence that led the charge.

They will have to take on a bigger role this year as the Dolphins offense will be without Tyreek Hill for the season and Darren Waller for an extended period of time, while the offensive line is also missing both James Daniels and Austin Jackson.

The Dolphins’ defense has made big strides in the last two games.

If Miami wants to really make a strong push over the second half of the season, that unit will have to become one of the best in the league.

They did that a season ago.

Can they replicate that?

We shall see.