We've seen the 2024 Dolphins put together stretches of dominant play on either side of the ball at various stages of the season, but it hadn't yet come together like it did Sunday. The Dolphins scored touchdowns on three consecutive possessions while the defense forced the Patriots offense off the field without a first down on four of their first five drives.
The win gave Miami its first back-to-back sweeps over the Patriots since 1999-2000. It was the eighth win in the last nine games against New England and improved quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's career record against this division foe to a perfect 7-0.
Here are three takeaways from the Dolphins 34-15 victory.
- Waddle; again, again, again
Tagovailoa has dazzled in his return from the injured reserve by spreading the ball to the many dynamic play makers that this Miami offense features. Sunday, it was the Penguin's turn. Jaylen Waddle posted 118 of his 144 yards in the first half, the most by a Dolphin in the first half of a game since last December 17th, when Waddle had 118 at the break against the New York Jets.
The Patriots played man coverage at the highest rate the Dolphins have seen this year (66 percent of Tagovailoa's drop backs), with the majority of those reps calling for double teams on wide receiver Tyreek Hill. That allowed for a vintage Waddle game as he caught the deep ball, burned the defense after the catch, and made tough diving catches en route to his best performance of the season, hauling in eight receptions for 144 yards and a touchdown.
"Waddle has been (improving) his route running, his release work, the nuances of the receiver position," Head Coach Mike McDaniel said. "He's had so much growth over the last month and a half while also fielding questions left and right, whether it's in the media or even at home, like where is the production? To get better when the ball isn't coming your way so that you're aptly prepared when the ball does, it's everything that I believe in."
- Chopped 'Em Up!
According to ESPN analytics, outside linebacker Chop Robinson led the NFL the last two weeks in pass rush win rate. With 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits and two passes defensed, the rookie is enjoying a breakout November that has vaulted him into seventh in the league in pass rush win rate among edge rushers (21.2 percent).
His nine quarterback pressures on Patriots quarterback Drake Maye were the most by any Dolphin in a game this season. During Miami's three-game win streak, Robinson tallied 19 QB pressures (second in the NFL) and a 24.7 percent pressure rate (tied for best in the NFL).
The 21-year-old pairs exceptional physical skills with a sponge-like mentality. After a series in which Robinson had a pressure, a QB hit and sack on back-to-back-to-back plays, veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell had some words of affirmation for the rookie on the sideline. Robinson maintained eye contact and took it all in. He says this veteran group has aided him through this rookie campaign.
"Just taking everything from the film room to practice, from practice to on the field. It's showing now. It's showing me learning from (Bradley) Chubb, 'JP' (Jaelan Phillips), me doing extra work with my coach and everything and just taking from the guys who know the game so much and just executing it."
- Red Zone Execution
The Dolphins rank 11th in the NFL in red zone touchdown percentage at 57.6. The juxtaposition of the top touchdown makers in the red area is rather fascinating. Three of tight end Jonnu Smith's visits to paydirt have come in the red zone, a typical trend for a 6-3, 248-pound athlete. But he ranks second behind the 5-9, 188-pound leader in red zone touchdown receptions for Miami. Running back De'Von Achane scored two more times Sunday, on a screen and swing pass from Tagovailoa. One was a walk-in score while the other saw him weaving around the excellent blocking from the Dolphins offensive line.
Speaking of the quarterback, he's one a tear of his own. Since returning to the lineup in Week 8, Tagovailoa is completing 76 percent of his passes with 1,277 yards, 11 touchdowns and just one interception. His 116.2 passer rating over the five-game stretch is best in the NFL. Over the entire season, Tagovailoa's 106.2 passer rating is fifth-best in the league.
For more analysis, takeaways and breakdowns, download the Drive Time Podcast with Travis Wingfield, available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
