Here’s how the Dolphins can make up for Jaylen Waddle’s absence vs. Baltimore

MIAMI GARDENS — It’s the biggest game in the AFC this season — the Miami Dolphins (11-4) at Baltimore (12-3) on Sunday — and one of the Dolphins’ game-breaking wide receivers, Jaylen Waddle, who has 1,014 yards receiving, won’t play due to a high ankle sprain on his left leg.

On top of that, fellow wide receiver Tyreek Hill, the NFL’s leading receiver with 1,641 yards, might be slowed by a left ankle injury. Yet another wide receiver, Robbie Chosen, is questionable to play as he recovers from a concussion.

So how does pass-happy Miami defeat Baltimore if its electrifying passing game is forced to play with a battery-powered wide receiving corps?

The Dolphins’ best hope might be doing what they’ve been doing well recently — playing complementary football.

In other words, don’t rely solely on the offense. Besides, it’s unlikely any Dolphins wide receiver, despite how well Miami’s backups have played this season, can come close to doing what Waddle does.

The best things Miami could do in Waddle’s absence is rely more heavily on its defense to keep the game low-scoring, and get another outstanding performance from special teams, such as last week when kicker Jason Sanders hit five field goals and defeated Dallas, 22-20, on a 29-yarder as time expired.

“That’s what I’m really, really happy about with the Miami Dolphins team,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “Our team is a collection of people and a lot of people contributing, and when one guy goes down, another one steps in and rises to the challenge. The locker room that the players have built is really strong, and guys are playing well with each other.”

For the record, you’ll recall Miami roared to a 70-20 victory when Waddle missed the Denver game with a concussion. But in that game the Dolphins were at home, had rookie running back De’Von Achane healthy and rushing for 203 yards, and Denver playing one of the worst games in its franchise history.

You’ll also recall Miami scored 30 points when Hill missed the New York Jets game. But in that game the Dolphins were at home, had Waddle turn in an eight-reception, 152-yard performance, and had cornerback Jalen Ramsey shut down Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson. 

The Dolphins will need a different approach against Baltimore.

Offensively, perhaps the Dolphins rely on the run game more than usual.

Baltimore is 12th in run defense (103.4 yards per game). Statistically, that might be Miami’s best chance to make up for what could be an abbreviated passing game. Baltimore is No. 5 in total defense, No. 6 in pass defense, and No. 1 in sacks (54).

And perhaps the Dolphins spread Waddle’s receptions among tight ends and running backs instead of solely giving them to other wide receivers such as Braxton Berrios (23 receptions, 219 yards, one touchdown), Cedrick Wilson Jr. (19 receptions, 245 yards, two touchdowns), River Cracraft (eight receptions, 103 yards, one touchdown) and Chase Claypool, who only has 37 snaps from scrimmage to go along with three receptions for 23 yards.

However, the Dolphins want to avoid a scenario where quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is constantly trying to force the ball to Berrios, Wilson, Cracraft or Claypool. 

Offensive coordinator Frank Smith said it won’t get to that point, because they’ve been working on such scenarios since the offseason.

“We try to make sure that we always are moving guys around and getting guys to work with things so we all can be connected for the time that we’re going to have to show up and do what’s required for Sunday,” he said.
“So again, we have contingencies to work through so we can make sure that we’re putting our guys in the best position possible.”  

For the record, Baltimore, which has allowed 297.3 yards per game, said Waddle’s absence won’t make a big difference in its gameplan.

“It doesn’t change much,” Ravens safety Marcus Williams said. “We already had our gameplan set, and we’re not going to change anything else just because one guy goes down. We’re just going to continue (to work) on our gameplan, lock in and just do our details. Then, everything else will be all right.” 

But it will make a big difference in the Dolphins’ gameplan.

Speaking of the gameplan, perhaps the Dolphins get a big boost adjusting to Waddle’s absence because of McDaniel. At least that’s the way Cracraft sees things. He said it was a factor in the Denver game when Waddle was sidelined with a concussion.

“I think you have to credit the play-calling,” Cracraft said. “I think Mike does a really good job of calling plays for the personnel that’s on the field. I think he’s got a real good feel for that. That’s the reason we’ve been able to run the ball well when we have, and throw the ball well when we’re missing guys.

“It takes everybody, but I think it starts with the playcalling and Mike. I just think he’s really good at it.”