Defense rescues Dolphins in Atlanta

Oct 17, 2017 - 12:52 AM DAVIE, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins (3-2), who had their week begin with a scandalous video of its former offensive line coach, had a remarkable comeback in its 20-17 victory at Atlanta on Sunday.

The Dolphins were down 17-0 at halftime and scored on their last four possessions to record the victory. Head coach Adam Gase wasn't nearly as amazed as outsiders, however.

"We live in a different world in our building," he said. "What everybody else thinks and what we think are way off. We felt good coming into this week. We felt good coming in the week before. We've been practicing hard. Guys have been doing well in practice."

The Dolphins shut down a dangerous Atlanta offense in the second half and got their running game going, led by Jay Ajayi's 26 carries for 130 yards.

But the defense might have been the most impressive aspect of the victory. Gase didn't say much to them at halftime. He let defensive coordinator Matt Burke do all the heavy lifting in that area.

"I was talking to the offense," Gase said of halftime, "and the only thing I heard him say was, 'Alright, we gave up all the points that we can, so we've got to pitch a shutout.' That's what they did. They found a way to do it. They tightened a few things up.

"They just made sure that they were very sound versus the run game and they just stayed as tight as they could. (They) executed the defense. That's what they've been doing all year and it's been impressive to watch. It's fun to watch."

The Dolphins, who have won back-to-back games after a sluggish 1-2 start that saw the offense do almost nothing, seem to be gaining confidence slowly.

But they're also trying to be careful to stick to the "one game at a time" theme. Miami is one of six AFC teams with a winning record.

"We're not worried about the AFC, the NFC, the playoffs, anything that you brought up," wide receiver Kenny Stills said to a questioner. "I just know the next opponent and we'll focus on them, starting on Wednesday."

--Wide receiver Kenny Stills, safety Michael Thomas and tight end Julius Thomas are part of a contingent that will travel to New York on Tuesday to meet with league officials about the national anthem protests and where they go from here.

"I think that this is great that the NFL, the owners, are taking the time to speak with us," Julius Thomas said. "I think there's really no wrong that can come from having a conversation. I'm just going to pray on it and really try to communicate my feelings and some of my viewpoints. We'll see how it goes but it's definitely encouraging."

Stills was a bit more reserved.

"We'll see how everything goes," Stills said. "I honestly can't really tell you too much. But you'll hear from us after the meeting."

--The Dolphins had T-shirts made that read, "We are not normal."

Head coach Adam Gase said the shirts are a reflection of how much this team has been through. He got the idea from Kaleb Thornhill, the team's director of player engagement, who found those words on a sign in the facility. They put the sign up in a meeting room.

"I just remember (defensive end) Cam (Wake) walked by me and goes, 'Now that's a shirt,'" Gase said. "I just banked that one.

"When things start going in different directions and the sky is falling for everyone else and our guys are just plugging along, I felt like it was a good week to give those out and see what happened. I think those guys embraced that. They know a lot of the things they've been through and a lot of the things they've fought through, a lot of people wouldn't have done what they've done so far."

--Head coach Adam Gase liked what he saw from the offense this week, especially up front with the offensive line, the group Gase blamed for most of the offensive issues.

"They put a big emphasis this week - including the coaching staff - of strain and finish and making sure that if we make a mistake, we're at least going 100 miles an hour," Gase said, "and we're just trying to find a crease to create for (running back) Jay (Ajayi) and trying to keep the pocket firm for (quarterback Jay) Cutler and give him a chance to make some throws.

"Jay (Cutler) was getting the ball out quick. Jay Ajayi was doing a great job of he saw a hole, and he hit it and, he ran through arm tackles and he fought. I thought the receivers did a great job of blocking. Tight ends were trying to finish every block. I just thought the whole group did a better job of trying to finish the plays."

NOTES: C Mike Pouncey (concussion) is questionable for Sunday's game against the New York Jets. Pouncey was injured late in the second quarter of the Atlanta game and didn't return. ... WR DeVante Parker (ankle) missed the Atlanta game and his status isn't known for Sunday's game against the New York Jets. Parker is second on the team in receptions (28) and yards (236). ... WR Rashawn Scott is eligible to return this week after starting the season on the PUP (Physically Unable to Perform) list with a foot injury. The problem is there doesn't seem to be room for Scott on the roster. But it must be noted Scott overtook WR Leonte Carroo late last season for a spot on the 53-man roster. ... RB Jay Ajayi had 26 carries for 130 yards against Atlanta. Miami is now 11-0 since last season when Ajayi has 18 or carries. "Hey, man, I'll let the stats speak for themselves," Ajayi said when informed of the statistic. ... WR Jarvis Landry had three drops against Atlanta. Landry ended with eight receptions for 62 yards and a touchdown. ... CB Xavien Howard shadowed Falcons WR Julio Jones and held him to six receptions for 72 yards, including two receptions for 32 yards in the second half when the Atlanta offense was held scoreless. ... S Reshad Jones had the game-clinching interception against Atlanta, catching a pass intended for TE Austin Hooper that CB Cordrea Tankersley deflected. It was Miami's first interception of the season. The Dolphins were the last team in the NFL to record an interception. ... K Cody Parkey booted a 38-yard field goal with 2:30 remaining that provided the winning points in the Dolphins' 20-17 victory over Atlanta. Parkey is now 7 of 7 on field-goal attempts. ...

QB Jay Cutler (19 of 33 for 151 yards, two touchdowns, one interception) did well against Atlanta, according to head coach Adam Gase. Cutler had five dropped passes -- three by WR Jarvis Landry and two by RB Jay Ajayi.



REPORT CARD VS. FALCONS

--PASSING OFFENSE: C - QB Jay Cutler (19 of 33 for 151 yards, two touchdowns, one interception) overcame five dropped passes to have a productive day. WR Jarvis Landry (eight receptions, 62 yards, one touchdown) was good but he had three dropped passes. The line didn't allow a sack. This was a huge improvement in an area Miami has struggled.

--RUSHING OFFENSE: A - RB Jay Ajayi (26 carries, 130 yards) was good. But the much-maligned line was even better. And the line played the entire second half with C Jake Brendel substituting for Mike Pouncey (concussion). Miami imposed its will on the Falcons defense and that was a huge key to the victory.

--PASS DEFENSE: C - Miami allowed a 40-yard TD pass but overall the Dolphins did a fairly good job. One of the big keys was the pass rush, which produced two sacks and five QB hits. Coverage was good in the second half. S Reshad Jones clinched the victory with his interception off a deflected pass by rookie CB Cordrea Tankersley at the Miami 6-yard line with 39 seconds remaining.

--RUSH DEFENSE: B-minus - The Falcons rushed for 100 yards and averaged 5.3 yards per carry. But RB Davonta Freeman only had nine carries, totaling 68 yards (7.6 yards per carry) and RB Tevin Coleman also only had nine carries, totaling 32 yards (3.6 yards per carry). Run defense has been the best part of the defense. It wasn't the best Miami did this season, but it was a winning effort.

--SPECIAL TEAMS: B - K Cody Parkey made the game-winning points on a 38-yard FG with 2:30 remaining. Miami also limited Falcons KOR/PR Andre Roberts. The Dolphins didn't spark much with their return game but they also didn't give up much with their coverage game.

--COACHING: A - Miami went on the road during a tumultuous week and found a way to win, overcoming a 17-0 deficit against the defending NFC champions in the process. It was a masterful job by head coach Adam Gase and the entire coaching staff. They even made the NFL's worst offense productive. This was definitely their best performance of the season and possibly the best of Gase's 22-game coaching career.