Miami Dolphins: 3 Things that need improvement to contend

Stop the scat backs

This has been an issue for years with the Dolphins defense. They struggle mightily against quick pass-catching backs that make quick cuts and catch passes out of the backfield. Both Dion Lewis and Bilal Powell had their way with the defense. Even an improved defense against just these types of players isn’t good enough. They’ve simply gone from terrible to bad.

Derrick Henry was virtually shut down Week 1, which is great. He managed just 2.6 yards per tote, rushing for 26 yards on 10 carries. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case for Lewis. The scat back managed 75 yards on the ground with a touchdown on 16 carries and tacked on five receptions for 35 yards.

It was much of the same Week 2. Isaiah Crowell managed just 35 yards on 2.9 yards per carry and Powell didn’t fair much better on the ground, totaling just six yards on five carries. It was a different story in the passing game though. Powell caught five passes for 74 yards and the Jets only touchdown.

Combine these backs gashing them along with the fact that they are allowing over 60 yards per game to tight ends so far, Miami has to figure out a way to get these guys blanketed. It’s easier said than done, and Lewis and Powell are very good players. Still, the Dolphins must get better in this area. Especially when you look ahead and backs like James White, Giovani Bernard, Tarik Cohen and Theo Riddick are on the docket in the next four games following the Raiders.