Last Updated: November 21, 2023, 03:30 IST
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.: Jalen Ramsey has a brand new nickname within the Dolphins’ locker room.
“As advertised,” linebacker Jaelan Phillips stated. “That was Jalen Ramsey. He can call his shots, so we call him ‘as advertised.’”
The All-Pro cornerback jumped in entrance of Tre Tucker and intercepted a go from Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell within the third quarter Sunday towards Las Vegas. Then Ramsey sealed Miami’s 20-13 victory along with his second choose, a leaping catch at the back of the tip zone with 32 seconds remaining.
For as soon as, the Dolphins’ protection outshined their offense. Miami turned the ball over thrice for simply the second time this season. But the protection has improved to the purpose that it may climate that adversity.
The Dolphins (7-3) restricted Las Vegas to 36 yards speeding and 260 yards passing, intercepted O’Connell thrice and stopped the Raiders on two fourth-down makes an attempt. The Raiders hardly ever threw the ball in Ramsey’s path, however he nonetheless deflected two passes alongside along with his pair of picks.
“I’m really hoping they throw at him, honestly,” coach Mike McDaniel stated. “I mean, both interceptions were out of control in difficulty level. … I think the whole team has gotten a little bit better to a degree since he’s been on our team or since he’s been back, and that’s the type of effect that players of that caliber can have on people.”
The Dolphins entered Week 8 — Ramsey’s season debut — with the twenty first-ranked protection within the league, permitting slightly below 350 complete yards and 233 passing yards per recreation. Since then, they’ve improved to No. 12 and are a prime-13 unit towards the push and go.
That bodes properly for Miami because it tries to take care of its maintain on the AFC East. The Dolphins play on the division rival New York Jets on Friday.
Phillips stated Sunday’s defensive battle might be a preview for future video games.
“We might have to win the rest of the season like that,” he stated. “You never know how it goes, and on any given Sunday in this league teams can bring their best stuff and we might not have our best stuff. I think the key is to just keep our head down and have that confidence in each other — defense, offense, special teams — and no matter what the situation is we’re going to pull it out.”
WHAT’S WORKING
Miami’s protection was capable of defend a one-rating lead regardless of the Raiders having a number of pictures at a comeback. Down 7, Las Vegas had three alternatives to tie the sport within the last 10 minutes. The Dolphins compelled a turnover on downs and intercepted O’Connell twice on these drives.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
Ball safety and third-down effectivity. The Dolphins surpassed 400 yards of offense for the fifth time this season however had their third-lowest scoring output. Turnovers and ineffectiveness on third down had been massive causes for that. Tua Tagovailoa misplaced his third fumble of the season on a scramble on Miami’s opening possession, and he threw an interception on the primary play of the second half. Miami had a number of turnovers for the second time in three video games and went 3 for 11 on third down.
STOCK UP
The secondary. The Dolphins have solely had the cornerback duo of Ramsey and Xavien Howard for 2 video games, and so they’ve held their opponents scoreless within the second half of each contests.
STOCK DOWN
Jason Sanders entered the sport with the fewest area aim makes an attempt of any kicker within the league, and he missed a 50-yard kick with the Dolphins forward 14-13 within the third. Sanders transformed from 41 and 51 yards later within the quarter, however he’s 5 of 15 on makes an attempt of fifty-plus yards since 2021.
INJURIES
RB Devon Achane re-injured the identical knee that induced him to overlook the earlier 4 video games. McDaniel stated he’s thought of each day.
KEY NUMBER
1,142 — The quantity of yards the Dolphins have outgained opponents by, which leads the NFL. They outgained the Raiders by 126 yards Sunday.
NEXT STEPS
After a brief week to organize for the Jets, the Dolphins will play at Washington in Week 13. After that, 4 of their final 5 video games are at residence, the place they’re undefeated.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
