Pressure Point: Run game, defense keep Dolphins in the running

Kudos are absolutely in order for the Miami Dolphins.

From dead team walking at 1-6, have played themselves into the playoff hunt, at least mathematically, at 6-7.

With Sunday’s 34-10 whooping of the oh-so-woeful New York Jets, the resurgent Fins have won four in a row and five of their past six.

Notably, they rushed for 239 yards, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. Oh, and Tua Tagovailoa can finally say he’s quarterbacked the Dolphins to victory when the temperature is 46 degrees or below on his eighth try — the 41-degree weather at the Jersey Meadowlands was really quite conducive for football, though. But still …

Dolphins avoid bad break on Achane’s injury

The highlight of a dominant win came afterward when coach Mike McDaniel said the rib injury that sidelined star running back in the first half was not a break.

“We got it looked at. He was hurting. He was available to come back in the game in an emergency,” McDaniel said. “I chose not to put him in there.”

Whew! That is a collective sign of relief echoing through Dolphinland.

Let’s face it, however legitimate the hopes of this team to claw its way into the postseason rides with Achane. The newly crowned AFC offensive player of the month for November has fueled the Dolphins’ resurgence.

Achane came into the game with 1,034 yards rushing and was on his way to another dominant performance when he walked off gingerly after a 29-yard run. He left with 92 yards rushing on nine carries, including a touchdown, and a 13-yard reception.

I can not get over this run

De’Von Achane is very literally one of the best Miami Dolphins ever

I’ve never seen a Dolphin put together a season like this in my lifetime pic.twitter.com/3yGNQ8i5lK

— Big Will (@BigWillLevenson) December 7, 2025

Jaylen Wright has first 100-yard performance

Achane’s absence provided an opportunity for second-year back Jaylen Wright to have his best game as a pro with 107 yards on 24 carries (4.5-yard average) and his first career touchdown. Rookie Ollie Gordon II added a hard-nosed 7-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The three-back attack was reminiscent of the Dolphins’ winning formula from the distant past.

That was noted by one of the men most responsible for that success, Hall of Fame fullback Larry Csonka, who tweeted, “Opening drive today brings back memories — ball control, down the field w/first possession. More of that please.”

More of that sort of production running the ball will be vital over the final four weeks of the season. It has been made possible by significant improvement by the offensive line. That includes much-maligned rookie left guard Jonah Savaiinaea, who had some key blocks that led to significant gains.

While they can lean on a three-back attack, Achane is the difference maker. He has shown to be a remarkable talent while putting together an All-Pro worthy season.

After scoring touchdowns with Achane on their first three possessions, they didn’t get into the end zone again until they ran it down the Jets’ throat in the fourth quarter —Wright and Gordon accounted for 61 of 69 yards on the drive.

Opening drive today brings back memories – ball control, down the field w/first possession. More of that please #MIAvsNYJ #FinsUp

— Larry Csonka (@Larry_Csonka39) December 7, 2025

Dolphins’ O-line shows major improvement

“Going into the season, we felt like we have a strength in the offensive line unit. Just to be able to manufacture that type of success on the ground, that’s December football, and that’s how you win,” McDaniel said.

Keep in mind, this December win on the road came against a Jets team that has now been eliminated from the playoffs for the 15th consecutive season. And of Miami’s five recent wins, the only one against a playoff-caliber opponent was the rout at home against the Bills.

The home stretch will be more challenging, and the Dolphins will probably need to win all four to have a chance at a wild card. That begins with a Monday Night date (Dec. 15) at Pittsburgh against the Steelers, who are also in the hunt at 7-6.

Then it’s home against the Bengals, who have Joe Burrow back at quarterback, followed by the 7-6 Buccaneers, and finishing at the AFC East-leading Patriots.

“That’s the formula for winning games in December.”

Mike McDaniel after the Dolphins rushed for 239 yards in a win over the Jets pic.twitter.com/xLpxTwggW7

— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) December 7, 2025

Dolphins’ defense fuels hope for late-season run

The Dolphins too often have gotten to this crossroads, only to lose their way. So I must abstain from labeling them legitimate contenders.

But the factors that could make the outcome different this time is the running attack and Anthony Weaver’s defense, which has become an absolute beast.

Granted, the Jets were forced to use rookie quarterback Brady Cook, who had never appeared in an NFL game, after veteran Tyrod Taylor went out early with a leg injury. They intercepted Cook three times and sacked him six times while holding the Jets to 207 net yards and 1-for-12 in third down conversions. The only New York touchdown came on a punt return.

However it plays out from here, it must be acknowledged the way these Dolphins have pulled together since the dreadful performance in Cleveland that prompted the firing of general manager Chris Grier and left McDaniel’s future dangling.

The players rallied around their coach, and McDaniel has done a better job with the offense since then.

Can they keep it rolling at Pittsburgh in prime time against a Steelers team also desperate to keep their season alive?

It’s a trap door the Dolphins have fallen through countless times, so we’ll see. Still, they have our attention.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for more than four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.