Dolphins defense has a surprising edge in critical matchup that can help shut down Baker Mayfield and the Bucs offense
The Dolphins defense can key in on one of the sore spots of the Bucs offense and there’s a good chance for success.
The Miami Dolphins defense is facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense at a time when the skill players are 100% healthy and making plays in both the passing game and on the ground.
Something still seems off, however, as the Bucs offense has failed to string together consistent play despite the returns of Mike Evans, Bucky Irving, and others.
When taking a look, it’s easy to identify one of the problem spots, which is the interior offensive line. The Dolphins’ interior defensive line, while young, can really have some success if it plays up to its standard on Sunday. Let’s talk about how and why it can happen.
Dolphins have a prime opportunity against the Bucs’ interior OL
Kyle: It’s all about Zach Sieler and “the young guns” inside for the Dolphins defense. Sieler has come alive as of late after a rough first month of the season. He’s a “chemistry” rusher who thrives with stunts and games and all of Miami’s young talent inside caused some growing pains. But Miami is rolling with rookies Kenneth Grant, Jordan Phillips, and Zeek Biggers at high volume rates alongside Sieler and the group appears to be a foundational piece of the future in Miami. Grant has been making headway as a splash player — but that’s the next step for this entire group.
Evan: Man, the last thing this Bucs interior offensive line wants to hear is a defensive line/lineman that tortures opponents via stunts and games. That’s been a major struggle for the iOL all year long and Baker Mayfield was even sacked on a 3rd and 13 by a looping Christian Rozeboom in last week’s loss against the Panthers.
The Bucs have two practice squad-type players starting at both guard positions and a regressed Graham Barton starting at center. The interior offensive line has turned into a weakness after everything and it’s prevented a now-healthy set of skill players from really taking off like they should. Mayfield and Co. will have another inconsistent day if the ‘Fins can get a push up the middle and stuff the inside run.
Zeek Biggers continues to push for more playing time
Kyle: Biggers got his first prominent game action in an upset win against the Bills in Week 10. The former seventh-round rookie has been praised for how he’s acclimated to the NFL, evolving his preparation and body composition after getting the call as the 255th pick in this year’s draft. He’s now run his consecutive games streak with 20+ snaps to five — although Cincinnati kept him quiet last week and was able to get him moved in the run game. Miami’s been playing him predominantly as an odd-front end, allowing him to live in the B-gap and stack guards and tackles at the point of attack.
Evan: If Biggers lines up on the defensive left for the majority of his snaps, then Dan Feeney will be his primary assignment. He’s been exactly what most thought would be when the Bucs signed him off the Buffalo Bills’ practice squad earlier in the year: a stopgap and nothing more.
The same goes for Mike Jordan at the other guard position – Biggers should be able to keep the arrow pointing up on Sunday.
It’s all obscure if Miami’s DL can’t get off its blocks, though
Kyle: The Dolphins’ defensive effort has been at it’s best when their interior players have discarded blocks with authority. They’re not a bunch of long-limbed tacklers inside who can consistently stop the momentum of backs if they’re not in front of their tackle challenges. That means for Miami, their ability to get off of blocks cleanly and square up their challenges is going to help decide if Miami will be porous against Tampa Bay or if they’ll regain the mid-season form that helped them turn their season around.
Evan: Football can be a complicated game, but it’s a lot simpler in the vacuum of 1-on-1 matchups. Even though the Dolphins have young guys in the middle of the defensive line the quality of their opponent isn’t worth a regular spot on a 53-man roster. Meaning, the youth and inexperience doesn’t really matter when considering they’re better overall players than 2/3 of the guys on the Bucs’ side of the ball.
Therefore, holding blocks will be a lot harder for the Bucs offensive line. So, Jordan and Feeney must use their veteran wits to help balance the scales, because that’s where their one advantage lies. It’ll be a long day if they’re unable to win the mental side of the game.
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