Marcel Louis-Jacques
INDIANAPOLIS — On the ultimate play of the primary quarter throughout Sunday's sport between the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts, Dolphins linebacker Jaelan Phillips sprinted previous Colts proper deal with Braden Smith and compelled quarterback Daniel Jones to shuffle round him — and proper into the trail of linebacker Bradley Chubb.
Chubb introduced Jones down for Miami's first sack of the season, respiration life right into a Dolphins protection that was hemorrhaging yards to that time.
On the subsequent play, Phillips was simply 1.6 yards from Jones when he launched a move, in accordance with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats; it did not cease Jones from hitting a wide-open Michael Pittman Jr. in stride for a 27-yard landing.
The 2-play stretch was a microcosm of one of the obvious issues in regards to the Dolphins' protection in 2025: How will their utterly rebuilt secondary maintain up if their move rush would not get dwelling?
Early returns from Week 1 weren't good. The Colts beat the Dolphins 33-8, with Jones passing for 272 yards and the one TD.
“I believe there was a variety of preparation for Week 1, and I do not assume it seemed prefer it,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel mentioned. “What does that imply? That implies that guys let Week 1 and the bells and whistles of the season beginning get the most effective of them. My job is to forestall that. I did my greatest — not ok.”
The Dolphins pressured Jones on eight of his 33 dropbacks however did not disrupt the quarterback past Chubb's sack. Jones accomplished 5-of-6 passes when pressured for 72 yards and a landing; in accordance with NFL Subsequent Gen Stats, he completed with a completion share over expectation of +16%.
He was additionally surgical when Miami did not stress him, finishing 17-of-23 passes for 198 yards. Total, Jones completed 22 of 29 and had a QBR of 87.6.
Chubb mentioned the Colts did not essentially take them unexpectedly, even in Jones' crew debut, however attributed Miami's loss to its protection not taking part in as a cohesive unit.
“They did a variety of the identical issues we thought was going to occur,” Chubb mentioned. “Us making up our personal stuff, not speaking in addition to we may have (is why we misplaced). So on the finish of the day, it is nearly studying from it and construct it from it and on to subsequent week.”
The Dolphins' cornerbacks room sustained myriad accidents this summer season and entered the season skinny after Ethan Bonner suffered a hamstring harm late within the preseason. They signed veteran Rasul Douglas on Aug. 27, however Bonner and fellow former UDFA Storm Duck are the one energetic returning cornerbacks from a season in the past.
Duck had a powerful coaching camp and earned the beginning Sunday however allowed three catches for 51 yards and a landing on 4 targets — good for an ideal 156.2 passer ranking. He injured his ankle within the third quarter and did not return, forcing Douglas into motion.
Cornerback Jack Jones, who signed with the crew in early August, began reverse Duck and allowed three receptions for 48 yards on 5 targets. He mentioned video games like Sunday's loss occur and wasn't involved about Miami's skill to bounce again as its secondary continues to jell.
“We have got the gamers, and we obtained the mindset,” Jones mentioned. “We have been doing this all coaching camp, so I imply it ain't nothing new. It is a part of the sport, you understand what I am saying? We're going towards good groups each week, so we have to learn to watch the movie, get higher, transfer ahead and make our performs that come to us.”
