With Xavien Howard on track to return for the Miami Dolphins‘ Week 9 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Vic Fangio will, for the first time, likely finally have the defense he envisioned all offseason.
That is a game-changer for the Dolphins — and probably the entire NFL.
Because the group has already shown great strides in recent weeks — even with injuries keeping one hand tied behind Fangio’s back.
Thursday afternoon Germany time, Fangio met with Dolphins reporters in Frankfurt about his improved and still-improving group — which, combined with the NFL’s best offense, could ultimately make the Dolphins the NFL’s best team.
Vic Fangio: Miami Dolphins CB Jalen Ramsey Should Get Even Better
Barring an unexpected setback, Sunday should bring the long-awaited debut of the Jalen Ramsey-Xavien Howard combo at cornerback.
And patrolling centerfield? Jevon Holland, the Dolphins’ “quarterback of the secondary,” who is out of the concussion protocol and should play as well.
If so, the Dolphins will have a back end to match their front seven, which ranks first in the NFL in quarterback hits (64), fourth in sacks (27), and fifth in sack rate (10%).
Really, the only weakness of this team in 2023 has been in coverage. Miami’s defense has the NFL’s fifth-worst interception rate (1.5%), seventh-worst completion percentage (69.5%) and passer rating (99.0), and 10th-worst yards per attempt average (7.3).
MORE: Miami Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill Reveals Intriguing New Details About Trade From Kansas City Chiefs
A healthy Ramsey and Howard on the field together should solve many of those problems. Ramsey in his first game back last week basically locked down the entire right side of the field — and he might only be scratching the surface.
Jalen Ramsey now has an INT and a forced fumble in his Dolphins debut. pic.twitter.com/KnACpSIkrS
— Mike Cugno (@MikeCugnoCBS4) October 29, 2023
Ramsey, Fangio said, is still not yet totally back, per the Palm Beach Post.
The next step for the six-time Pro Bowler? Position versatility. Fangio suggested that Ramsey could move around more in his second week back — and could potentially be assigned Taylor Swift’s boyfriend.
Travis Kelce is the Chiefs’ No 1 receiving weapon. A matchup of Kelce vs. Ramsey would be among the best of the week in the entire league in Week 9.
As for the Dolphins’ plans for reigning MVP Patrick Mahomes?
“Just trying to keep him from having an unbelievable game and hopefully limit the improvised plays,” Fangio said, per the Miami Herald.
Fangio added: “He’s really tough — you’ve got to defend the play they call in the huddle and then you’ve got to defend the play he calls when things break down.”
From the current NFL standings to team depth charts to coverage of every game in the 18-week NFL schedule, we have all the news from around the league to keep you up to speed!