The Good

Ryan Fitzpatrick looked a lot better this week against a very good Bills defense. 65% completion, 328 yards and 2 TDs each week would typically mean a win if the rest of your team does its job. But they didn't so....

The running game was more productive, with Myles Gaskin continuing to lead the way. The Dolphins averaged 4.5 ypc. However, the Dolphins chose to throw 47 passes versus 22 runs in what was a close game all day. In a game like this, why not run the ball a bit more, take more time off the clock, give your defense more of a rest and keep the opposing offense off the field? Back to Gaskin, he also caught 6 passes for 36 yards.

Mike Gesicki having the breakout game! Good to see. 130 yards and a TD.

The Bad

This defense was designed to stop the run first. But it allowed 111 yards and 4.8 ypc. On top of that, Josh Allen had a career game with 417 yards and 4 TDs. The defense has more of a "read and react" feel, which I think is a terrible way to run a defense. I prefer "seek and destroy". The Dolphins, specifically their coaches, need to make some adjustments and soon on this side of the ball.

The Ugly

Despite good production on offense, the Dolphins lost. They start the season 0-2 and it is in large part because their defense still cannot stop the run. For a QB like Josh Allen, the running game sets the table. The Dolphins have to start shutting down the run, or this will be a long season.

Overall

Not an unexpected start against two tough AFCE opponents. I believe most reasonable people would have had us at 0-2 at this point. But the concern is how badly the defense has played thus far, with spending big bucks on a shutdown corner and adding a bunch of players that specialize in stopping the run first, so far the blueprint is a failure. Let's see if some of the issues can be addressed against the Jaguars.

The Good

About the only positive in this game was the play of Jerome Baker, who was all over the field with 16 tackles, 1 sack and forced fumble that prevented a New England score.

I guess we can thrown in that the pass protection did not look atrocious as it has so often over the past decade. Something to keep an eye on with another revamped offensive line.

The Bad

This list will run long and deep.

Fitztragic was on full display with 3 interceptions and leading an anemic offense that only produced 11 points.

The running game struggled, although Gaskin and Breida did show some bright spots. But Jordan Howard was invisible.

Devante Parker injured again.

While the Dolphins were incapable of stopping what is essentially a college offense, the Dolphins wide outs aside from Parker were incapable of creating separation.

It is not even an exaggeration that the Patriots were running a college offense. They literally were. Most decent NFL defenses would know to penetrate and disrupt. The Dolphins defense hung back, misread plays and let Cam Newton do whatever he wanted.

The Ugly

I guess the quality of play was a symptom of the times. Shortened training camps and no preseason games due to the pandemic. The Dolphins are a young team that benefit more from that type of activity. Now they have to learn on the fly. And it may be this ugly for a couple more weeks before some players get their legs under them.

Overall

Great to have football and a little bit of normalcy back in our lives. The Dolphins are a very young team that may struggle early. Up next are the Bills, who will present another tough opponent. The Dolphins need to get their run game and run stop game going to be able to compete against these teams. If they are not able to improve in these areas, it will be another long season. The other question is, how much Fitzmagic vs Fitztragic will we get? If we keep seeing more of the latter, how quickly can we expect Tua to see the field? And how will he perform given the abridged training camp? In my opinion, it is only a matter of time before a quarterback controversy materializes.