Offensive Measuring Stick

The Dolphins will be facing off against the Detroit Lions this upcoming weekend, and most football gambling fans would say that the Lions have one of the best defenses in the entire league. Miami’s offense is much improved from last year, which is most evident from their huge jump in the vital statistic of average points per game, which is 26.4 (9^th best in league) up from 19.8 (27^th best in league). So this upcoming game will be a huge chance to see how good Miami’s offense really is.

The Lions are ranked number one in total defense, which ranks defenses by how many yards they allow per game. They are allowing 290.4 yards per game, which is very stingy. I would say that the more important stat of a top defense is how many points they allow per game, and unfortunately for the Dolphins, the Lions are also ranked first in points allowed per game with only 15.8. The Lions have the 5^th best pass defense allowing 216.4 yards per game, and the 2^nd best rush defense allowing 74.0 yards per game.

For starters Philbin and Lazor need to spend some extra time in the film room this week, so they can discover some weaknesses in the Lion Defense that they can exploit. Next they need to come up with a solid offensive game plan to take advantage of these weaknesses. I believe the read option may get some extra use this week, because that has the potential to open up this Detroit defensive line. Tannehill has been excelling each week in his reads, and his ability to make plays with his legs has been a positive result each week. If Tannehill can make some plays on the ground against the Lions, then it will allow them to have a more balanced offensive attack.

The defensive line for the Lions is very good and are ranked 9^th best in sacks with 23. Lazor should incorporate more screens and quick hitch passes into this game, so the Dolphins offense can use the Lions aggressive pass rush against them. Tannehill needs to continue spreading the ball around the field, so the Lion defense will not have the ability to shut the passing game down by shutting down one pass catcher.

Charles Clay has had his two best games this season against the Bears and the Chargers. Is it a coincidence that those two games were Miami’s offense’s best performances? I would say that this is not a coincidence, and shows how important it is that our tight end Charles Clay gets incorporated in the game plan. Clay had a breakout year last season, but has just recently began to get fully healthy, which is obvious in his better production in the last 3 games. Clay is a play-maker, which means Tannehill and Lazor need to find clever ways to get him the ball. When the Patriots had Aaron Hernandez, they were constantly creating special plays to get him more involved in the offense. Lazor may want to take a page from Belichick’s playbook, and start coming up with more creative ways to use Clay, since he has the ability to be a dynamic player.

The offense is going to have a tough test against the Lion defense, and it will be a great measuring stick to see how good this offense really is. What do the phins fans think about Miami’s offense being successful against one of the best defenses in the league?