Patterson, Falcons Looking to Run Over Depleted Dolphins Defense

No easy games remain on the Miami Dolphins’ schedule with the way they’re playing.

In what began as a promising, hard-fought, nail-biter in the season opener against New England, the Dolphins (1-5) haven’t won since.

Yep, that marks five straight losses, including two to winless teams, only one year removed from Miami having one of the best secondary’s and biggest turnarounds the NFL has seen.

Brian Flores Isn’t Attacking, Coaching Like He Did in 2020

Head coach Brian Flores isn’t having his defensive veterans attack like they did last year. He isn’t having them disguise their coverages like he did last year. They aren’t blitzing like they did last year. But why?

I don’t know. The team doesn’t know. He doesn’t know. And it’s making them look like one of the worst teams in the league. A complete embarrassment for a 10-win team who narrowly missed the playoffs in 2020.

“I mean we’ve still got 11 games left so it’s not too late. We can still turn this thing around. Like I said, come to practice every day ready to work,” defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah said. “Just got to push each other at practice. You’ve got to be better every day. You’ve got to go watch extra film. Just got to be the best you can be for yourself to just help the team win.”

This Week Is Supposed to be Easy…But it Won’t be

Teams like Miami play the Atlanta Falcons (2-3) this week, who were supposed to be an easier one on the schedule.

The Falcons were gashed all of 2020 on defense, surrendering, at most times, insurmountable yards against that they couldn’t come back from. Atlanta left gaping holes for receivers and couldn’t stop the run no matter how it loaded the box.

But with losses to the winless Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars already, who had similar problems, and are much more inexperienced teams, it doesn’t seem to matter what problems Atlanta will bring to the table.

Dolphins Have No Bye-Week Following London Game

The Dolphins have also added unnecessary complications for themselves this week: traveling home from London, England, and not taking a bye week following their overseas game. If their legs were tired on the journey over, they’re definitely more tired now. 

Miami is the only team so far this season to not take its bye following the London trip.

Miami Allows Nearly 400 Yards to Winless Jacksonville Last Week

The Dolphins allowed 392 total yards of offense to a Jacksonville team on Sunday who had lost its previous 20 games dating back to the 2020 season opener. They also failed to intercept pick-machine rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence who had eight interceptions in six games coming into the contest.

Giving up major yards has been a theme for Miami this season, after doing well in the department last year. 

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Dolphins Rank Near Bottom of League in Defense Through Week Six

Miami has allowed 1,755 total passing yards and 752 total rushing yards this season through seven games.

A winless Lawrence got well above the 250-yards-allowed-per-game mark and took advantage of a battered Dolphins lineup who was missing both its starting cornerbacks.

Ridley, Pitts, Patterson to Give Miami Problems

Although not a knock on wide receivers Marvin Jones Jr. and Laviska Shenault Jr., they’re nowhere near the caliber of talent coming Miami’s way this Sunday. WR Calvin Ridley and tight end Kyle Pitts, teamed up with offensive utility specialist Cordarrelle Patterson, will look to wreak havoc on a secondary who could still be out injured. 

Both CBs Xavien Howard (shoulder/groin) and Byron Jones (Achilles/groin) are again officially questionable for Sunday.

Matt Ryan is Still Matty Icy

QB Matt Ryan and Atlanta has mustered less passing yards than Miami on offense, 1,427 to 1,332, but the Falcons have also played one less game, as they’re one of the teams who took a bye following their game in London (week five). Not only has Atlanta had one less game and fresher legs, it’s coming off its bye while Miami is on its longest road trip of the season.

“They’re a different team. They improve every week. They do a lot of good things and we’ve just got to do a good job stopping the run, rushing the passer well this week,” Ogbah said. “We’re definitely going to use some film during joint practices, but they’re a different team now so we’ll see.”

Cordarrelle Patterson is the Real Deal, Will Look to Run All Over Fins

Patterson’s eruption into their team’s rushing game has also elevated the Falcons’ total rushing yards to 455 on the season – another marker past the Dolphins’ (429).

While Patterson’s rushing eruption has been the talk of the NFL, the Dolphins’ has been the talk in another way, the bad kind, as their leading rusher hasn’t eclipsed more than 26 yards in four games.

“They are very versatile. They have a lot of different groupings and they do a good job in each one of those groupings. They create matchups or try to create matchups or mismatches,” Flores said. “They are balanced. They do a nice job really across the board offensively, defensively and in the kicking game.”

Dolphins’ Top Two WRs Still Questionable for Contest

Additionally, wide receivers DeVante Parker and Preston Williams remain on the injury report again this week, also officially questionable, after being absent in London. If the starting duo misses for a second straight week, along with the CB-duo, Miami again will have a slim chance.

Furthermore, backup CB Noah Igbinoghene, who was taken advantage of last week, appeared on the injury report, too, as of Friday’s practice. He is one of 15 players on Miami’s injury report. 

Atlanta Enters Game Basically 100-Percent Healthy, Flores Gives Many Players ‘A Shot to Play’ Tag

As for Atlanta, only outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. (knee) has been ruled out after not participating all week. CB Avery Williams (hamstring) is doubtful, but no one else is in danger of missing the contest for the Falcons.

“They’ve got a chance, yeah. They’ve got a chance – Byron (Jones), ‘X’ (Xavien Howard), (Adam) Shaheen, Preston (Williams) and DeVante (Parker). All five have a chance,” Flores said. “But they’re all doing everything they can do to get back as quickly as possible and hopefully they do well today. We’ve still got a couple of days before the game.”

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. eastern in Miami.

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– Kayla Morton is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins. She is also competing in the national #SFB11 — if you’d like to make a donation with her please reach out to her via Twitter. Like and follow on Follow @northdakayla74 Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.