The Miami Dolphins (7-7) still have a long-shot chance at making the playoffs, but of course crazier things have happened. The only thing the Dolphins can control in the complicated scenario is finishing the season with wins against the Minnesota Vikings (6-8) this week and the New York Jets in Week 17. The Vikings will look to play spoiler as they continue to assess the development of their rookie quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater.
Of the three rookie quarterbacks who have played significant snaps this year, Bridgewater leads the group in accuracy under pressure, overall accuracy, and overall QB Rating. He has also been afforded the most time in the pocket where he has averaged 2.84 seconds until attempting a pass, getting sacked, or scrambling. His Accuracy Percentage when under pressure (72%) is the best for a rookie quarterback since Robert Griffin III and Ryan Tannehill finished their rookie campaigns with 75% and 72.9%, respectively. In that season, Russell Wilson finished with 66% and Andrew Luck 54.9% in accuracy when under pressure. The last rookie quarterback to see significant snaps, Christian Ponder, finished his rookie season with an Accuracy Percentage of just over 50%. Bridgewater hasn’t made a lot of the big plays that garner media attention, but his accuracy this season gives the team reason for optimism going forward.
The Dolphins possess one of the best pass-rushing defensive lines in the league. Cameron Wake leads the Dolphins' defense and all 4-3 defensive ends in rushing the passer this season. He has put pressure on the quarterback 55 times in his 383 pass-rush snaps. On the other side of the defensive line, Olivier Vernon has also been productive in rushing the passer, generating pressure 48 of his 395 pass-rush snaps. The two have combined for 17 sacks on the year, and will look to add to that number against Bridgewater and the Vikings.
Miami Dolphins
Jarvis Landry – In a year filled with great performances from rookie wide receivers Landry has been left out of much of the conversation, but he leads the league in Target Percentage and Catch Rate from the slot position.
Ryan Tannehill – Tannehill ranks sixth in the league in Accuracy Percentage on the year. His 75.9% ranks him just ahead of Teddy Bridgewater who has posted a 75.6%.
Jelani Jenkins – After missing the game last week it appears Jenkins is on pace to return to the starting lineup. He has led the team in tackles (77) and stops (45) this season.
Minnesota Vikings
Everson Griffen – In his first season as a full-time starter, Griffen leads 4-3 defensive ends in stops, and is second in sacks.
Joe Berger – In the last five games, Berger has been a Top-5 right guard earning a +8.6 rating overall.
Xavier Rhodes – Since the Vikings' Week 10 bye, Rhodes has been the second-best corner in the league in coverage. In that same time, opposing quarterbacks have an passer rating of 34.6 when throwing into his coverage.
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