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Entering Week 9 of the 2023 NFL season, no offense has been more impressive than the Miami Dolphins. Miami is first in the league in both yards and points scored. Additionally, the Dolphins have registered the most rushing yards and the most passing yards of any team so far this year. Considering the inconsistent nature of some NFL offenses, including the Kansas City Chiefs, it is awe-inspiring to see the full body of work of what Miami has done offensively.
For any defensive coordinator facing the Dolphins, there is a plethora of items that you have to think about in order to slow them down. Miami has speed at their offensive skill positions that is simply unmatched across the entire NFL. Moreover, the amount of motion, misdirection and play action that this offense utilizes can make your head spin.
How will Kansas City’s defense attempt to slow down this high-flying Dolphins offense? Here are three things that Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo could do to attempt to thwart Miami. Let’s kick it off.
Bring Pressure Up The Middle
Tua Tagovailoa is beginning to prove some doubters wrong. There is still some more potential growth that he has yet to unlock, despite his strong start this season, nonetheless. If you look at Tagovailoa compared to other top quarterbacks, there is a lack of confidence in his mobility. That is not to say that he is a complete statue in the pocket. Furthermore, Tagovailoa has displayed added toughness in past moments to go and get extra yards with his legs.
But when he is unable to identify or adjust to extra pressure, the escapability of Tagovailoa is simply not as prevalent as what other passers possess. Most people will say that you have to attack most quarterbacks by winning off of the edge. However, Tagovailoa is more susceptible to extra pressure that is coming from the middle or the interior. Chris Jones will be even more vital to Kansas City against this Dolphins offense for that reason. Elsewhere, Steve Spagnuolo has never been shy about bringing extra pressure from the second or third levels of the defense. Will he look to do that by shooting through the A or B gaps?
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Double Hill At All Costs
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Former Chief Tyreek Hill will be facing Kansas City for the first time since joining Miami. As we well know from his days wearing red and gold, you cannot just leave the Cheetah alone on an island, one-on-one. It will be fascinating to see how Spagnuolo handles defending him. Simply put, the Dolphins are still going to get theirs. There are other dynamic weapons to worry about, as well. But at all costs, you have to think that doubling Tyreek Hill will be a top priority.
Spagnuolo has generally played press man coverage on the outside. He has shown an ability to mix coverages and switch things up after the snap, so to speak. Displaying a different look post-snap, as opposed to what quarterbacks see pre-snap, are items that Spagnuolo and the Chiefs secondary showed in last year’s playoffs. Kansas City’s secondary likes to play physical, as we have seen this season. Will that, some varied disguises and mixed coverages be enough to slow down Hill?
Stack The Box Against The Run
It is probably easier said than done. But the Miami run game is simply too fast to not stack the box against it. This may be something that the Chiefs are comfortable doing, given the more physical nature of their front seven. Defending Miami in the run game really was not as challenging last year. But in 2023, head coach Mike McDaniel has found ways to get Raheem Mostert in space. Quietly, the Dolphins offensive line has played improved football this year, to boot.
This is a matchup where missing Nick Bolton due to injury will really hurt. Drue Tranquill is a capable run defender. Though, his game is more savvy, compared to the tenacious style of Bolton. Kansas City has some cornerbacks that can tackle well in space. Will Spagnuolo look to have them crash inward to help stop the run game against the Dolphins offense?
Be on the lookout for more FPC Chiefs articles and analysis throughout this week. For more great sports and NFL content, stay tuned to Full Press Coverage.
– Braden Holecek is the Kansas City Chiefs managing editor for Full Press Coverage. He covers the NFL. Like and follow on Follow @ebearcat9//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Follow @FPC_Chiefs//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js and Facebook.