Another turnaround for Dolphins defense could cement Miami’s status as contenders

In 2021, a resurgence from the Dolphins defense — morphing from one of the worst units in the first half of the season to arguably the best in the second half — spearheaded a miraculous turnaround from 1-7 to nearly reaching the playoffs.

While the Dolphins fell short of the postseason, the defense’s play was enough to keep the core of the unit intact under first-year head coach Mike McDaniel.

At the halfway point of the 2022 season, the Dolphins again find themselves with a defense ranking toward the bottom of the league in most major statistical categories, including points per game (tied for 25th), yards per play (tied for 27th), and third-down efficiency (27th).

Entering the second half of their schedule, which begins with Sunday’s home game against the Cleveland Browns, a defensive turnaround could once again propel the Dolphins. But with the emergence of Miami’s now-prolific offense, the defense recapturing its late 2021 form could cement the Dolphins as legitimate contenders in the AFC.

“As a whole, we have an opportunity to be a very good defense,” defensive coordinator Josh Boyer said Thursday. “There are just some things that we got to get cleaned up. And I have the utmost belief in our players because they don’t flinch in big situations. ... Our guys are comfortable playing in those situations and we get some of our best ball that we just kind of need to put it all together.”

Boyer said the No. 1 point of emphasis for the defense the rest of the season is getting off the field on third down, which again was a struggle in the Dolphins’ win over the Chicago Bears. Chicago converted 10 of 16 third-down opportunities, including quarterback Justin Fields’ 61-yard touchdown run, which came on third-and-5.

“There were a lot of good things in last week’s game. I think we had plenty ample opportunities to get off the field,” Boyer said. “And when you do that, it kills drives, it kills points. It gives you an opportunity to play complimentary football, get the ball back to your offense, put them up in a good field position. It gives you an opportunity to rush a punt.”

Like last season, the Dolphins remain one of the most blitz-heavy defenses in the league. Miami has sent extra pass rushers on 36 percent of dropbacks, which ranks fifth-highest in the NFL. But unlike 2021, it hasn’t led to sacks — and now even pressures. Miami ranks 23rd in pressure rate (31 percent) and is tied for 20th in sacks (17).

More concerning, the Dolphins’ ace in the hole — their Cover 0 blitz — has gone from one of their most devastating calls to a liability. In 2021, no team used Cover 0 more than the Dolphins — 12.4 percent of opposing plays — or was as effective. According to TruMedia, the Dolphins were the most efficient Cover 0 defense on a per-play basis last season. The distance between the Dolphins and the second-most efficient team (Cardinals) was the same as the distance between the Cardinals and 15th (Raiders).

This season, the Dolphins are the least efficient defense when calling Cover 0, per TruMedia.

Opposing offenses have adjusted well to the Dolphins’ blitzes, using extra blockers to keep their quarterbacks protected and getting the ball out before pressure can arrive. The absence of cornerback Byron Jones has placed a greater strain on a secondary that is also playing without cornerback Nik Needham and safety Brandon Jones because of season-ending injuries.

While the return of Byron Jones remains uncertain, outside linebacker Bradley Chubb made his team debut in Chicago. Chubb played 54 defensive snaps and recorded two pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.

Cornerbacks coach and pass game specialist Sam Madison said Chubb’s ability to rush the passer will help the secondary “a lot.” He also noted defensive backs need to be a little tighter in coverage, as teams are chipping more often, using a running back or tight end to hit a pass rusher before running a route.

“If we can get those guys a couple extra seconds to get to the quarterback,” Madison said, “hopefully they can get the ball out, get the quarterback on the ground but yet still just be a disruptive force throughout the course of the game.”

One point of pride — and optimism — for the defense is the way it has played when the game is on the line. While the defense is 27th in Football Outsiders’ efficiency metrics, the unit has fared better in late, close-game situations, ranking 12th. In consecutive wins over the Bears, Lions and Steelers, the defense has delivered a late stop in a one-possession game.

Now the goal for players is to capture that late execution and perform over the duration of the game.

“What separates good and great teams is being able to dominate, game in and game out,” safety Jevon Holland said, “and cause turnovers and whatnot. Just completely nullify an offense both mentally and physically. ... [Late game execution] is definitely a part of it, being able to secure those games when it does fall on the defense.”