Miami Dolphins: 3 Vital statistics for 2019 season

BUFFALO, NY - DECEMBER 30: Kenny Stills #10 of the Miami Dolphins dives with the ball for extra yardage in the second quarter during NFL game action as Tremaine Edmunds #49 of the Buffalo Bills defends at New Era Field on December 30, 2018 in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

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MIAMI, FL – NOVEMBER 04: Robby Anderson #11 of the New York Jets carries the ball against Jerome Baker #55 of the Miami Dolphins in the first quarter of their game at Hard Rock Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images) /

31

It’s somewhat interesting that Brian Flores comes over from the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots. This past season, that club’s defensive unit combined steady pressure with excellent coverage in the secondary to get the job done when it counted most.

Hence the Pats finished with only 30 sacks in 16 regular-season games, tied for the second-fewest in the NFL in 2018. It is worth noting that in New England’s three postseason wins that Bill Belichick’s club combined for 10 quarterback traps.

So how does that relate to the Miami Dolphins? Only in the fact that this club finished with just 31 sacks a year ago. And it’s safe to say that the team’s defense wasn’t necessarily on the same level as the Patriots. Only three teams in the league allowed more total yards per game while the Dolphins surrendered 48 offensive touchdowns. And only the Arizona Cardinals gave up more yards per outing on the ground.

Back to those 31 sacks. Last season’s pass rush was led by defensive ends Robert Quinn (6.5) and Cameron Wake (6). But the former was dealt to the Dallas Cowboys and the latter signed with the Tennessee Titans. So who will the pressure on opposing quarterbacks come from this season? Linebacker Jerome Baker is the team’s leading returning sack artist with three quarterback traps.

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