Dolphin’s passing game aided by runners for another Jets obstacle

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newspress collage pfpmshinz 1702688466375

The Dolphins’ explosive offense is much more than Tyreek Hill.

Most of the attention on the offense, which ranks second in the NFL with 411 points scored this season, goes to the receivers and the passing game.

Hill, who head coach Mike McDaniel said will be listed as questionable for Sunday’s clash against the Jets in Miami with an ankle injury after missing all three practices this week, is on a historic pace with 97 receptions for 1,542 yards and 12 touchdowns.

He’s on pace for 2,016 yards, which would make him the first to surpass 2,000 receiving yards.

Jaylen Waddle has tallied 63 receptions for 822 yards and three touchdowns, and Tua Tagovailoa’s 3,697 passing yards are most in the NFL.

But all that is only one half of the league’s most dynamic offense.


Raheem Mostert runs the ball in for a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Jets. Robert Sabo for NY Post

The Dolphins also have an elite rushing attack, with the second-most yards (1,878) and most touchdowns (24).

“Their run game is grossly underrated,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said Friday. “… It’s not like you can just focus on Tyreek. If you do, they’ll run the ball and pound you into the dirt. … It’s cat and mouse, it’s chess, and it’s one of those games where for all four quarters you’ve got to be on your Ps and Qs.”

It’s come in large part on the back of Raheem Mostert, a career journeyman enjoying a renaissance at 31 years old.

His 924 rushing yards are second-most in the league, and his 16 rushing touchdowns lead the NFL. Both are career highs.

Rookie De’Von Achane has been one of the league’s most feared big-play threats, though he’s been hampered by injury.

He’s recorded 581 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, and his four rushes of over 40 yards lead the NFL.

He practiced Friday, though his status for Sunday’s game is in question because of a toe injury.

Like their receiver counterparts, what makes Mostert and Achane so dangerous is their speed.


De'Von Achane (28) rushes with the ball against the Tennessee Titans.
De’Von Achane (28) rushes with the ball against the Tennessee Titans. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

They collectively own four of the NFL’s 20-fastest recorded speeds this season, per Next Gen Stats.

“I feel like it’s fast and faster,” Jets defensive lineman Quinton Jefferson told The Post. “They both have great vision, they find the holes, they hit the holes 100 mph. They both can get to the edges quickly. … It’s one of those, we know it’s a track meet that week. We gotta be running sideline to sideline. It takes a toll on you as a defensive lineman, it’s a high-effort game.”

Mostert and Achane are also aided by the Dolphins’ creative offensive scheme.

They’re constantly in motion before the snap and rarely simply run it up the middle, instead feasting on the edges.

Both are often utilized in the passing game as well and line up out wide as receivers.

“It’s a little tricky because you gotta always identify where they’re at,” Jefferson said. “They have a bunch of bizarre looks and find creative ways to get them the ball and get the looks they want.”

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