Miami Dolphins

Miami Dolphins defensive recap Vs Bills week 6

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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This makes the second week and win that this defense has shown up with this victory over the Bills. The odds of it being an aberration are declining as the odds of saving the season rise.

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While the absence of Reshad Jones certainly was felt, the defense held together. They were able to hold the Bills to just 267 total yards, with just 3 average yards a carry running and just 3 of 13 per third down attempts. This now ranks them number one for third down efficiency (31.3% for opposing offenses). Only allowing the number one ranked running team a total of 67 yards is quite a feat.

The defensive resurgence started with the additional playing time of Cameron Wake and the pairing of him with Andre Branch. These two have shown a propensity to get after quarterbacks and gaining sacks (1.5 Wake. 0.5 Branch this game) the pressure they bring on quarterbacks is instrumental as well. For this last game the pair had welcomed company in Mario Williams who even played some at DT. This appears to be an attempt by DC Vance Joseph to get all he can out of Williams and find the best match of players to provide penetration into the backfield.

Having a duo of Wake and Branch going forward is advantageous however the most formidable attacking defenses have a three-pronged attack and even four at times. This is a sign that the defensive front is hitting on all the cylinders. It also makes things very ineffective for opposing offensive quarterbacks.

Not only did many different players step up this game they did so at crucial times to keep the advantage on the side of the Miami Dolphins. Ndamukong Suh had a sack to keep the Bills out of field goal range. When the Bills went to the wildcat late in the game it was Mario Williams there to hold it back with a tackle for a loss and then pressure on 3rd down. Isa Abdul Quddus provided help on a deep pass attempt that held the Bills back deep near their own end zone and going 3 and out. Byron Maxwell defended his receiver on a third down red zone play in the end zone forcing the Bills to settle for a FG.

Team Stats

Bills

First Downs 16
Rush-Yds-TDs 22-67-2
Cmp-Att-Yd-TD-INT 14-28-221-1-0
Sacked-Yards 4-21
Net Pass Yards 200
Total Yards 267
Fumbles-Lost 0-0
Turnovers 0
Penalties-Yards 6-45
Third Down Conv. 3-13
Fourth Down Conv. 0-0
Time of Possession 22:58

.@TyrodTaylor sold it.
Everybody bought it.

Touchdown, @BuffaloBills! #BUFvsMIA https://t.co/3fWCN5xLOy

— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) October 23, 2016

Tyrod Taylor scores running on a nice play action.

Game notes

• Kiko Alonso was all over the field in pursuit once again gaining the most tackles.

• Tony Lippett had one less tackle than Alonso to help fill the void of Reshad Jones.

• Jason Jones was credited for a sack in this game.

• Tyrod Taylor was sacked four times.

Final notes

This was a nice total effort from the defense. They needed to play in this fashion in order to mask the absence of one of their best players in Reshad Jones. With the week off they might be able to bring back players to add to the mix and keep working on finding the winning combination in rushing the passer as well as other accepts on the field.