1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Ajayi Rushing for 200+ Against the Jets

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by KeyFin, Oct 31, 2016.

  1. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Since this has been a topic of conversation for a week now since no NFL player has ever had three back to back 200 yard games, I thought it would make for an interesting conversation to set the tone for the week. So here goes nothing-

    On the plus side-

    • Our offensive line looks to be in the best form we've seen in DECADES. We have five healthy starters that are pushing people around and essentially bullying them, which makes every game a candidate for explosive runs.
    • Jay Ajayi is currently making a case as being the #1 back in the league and he's the AFC player of the week twice in a row. He is showing us a rare combination of power, agility and speed, so there's really no telling when he may break off a 50+ yard run.
    • While the Jets have stopped the run this year fairly well, very few teams have committed to the ground game like we have. For instance, we like to run on first down a lot, and we will follow that up with another run on 2nd and long. But what really makes this an interesting conversation is how well Tannehill has thrown deep off the play action- teams can no longer just stack the box and hope for the best. They have to give us something and that's going to be the run.
    • Finally, the Jets have essentially given up in multiple contests this season. They're not playing with much emotion, so if we can establish the run early and get up on them on the scoreboard, our offense could have a field day slashing them for big gains.

    On the negative side-

    • The Jets #1 priority will be to stop the run until Tannehill makes them see things differently. So Ajayi's fate is tied to RT as much as it is his offensive line.
    • Will we even play Ajayi all 4 quarters if we get ahead in the first half? If he's my stud back, I sit him down with a comfortable lead and tell him to rest up until further notice.
    • The Jets do stink at pass defense, so is it even in the cards to continue pounding the football? Most of us would assume the answer is "yes", but this game is a lot more important than a single record. We may well go pass heavy if the game is close or we're playing from behind.

    So what say you, Phins fans? Does Ajayi make history or not?
     
    Puka-head, Unlucky 13, Fin-O and 2 others like this.
  2. resnor

    resnor Derp Sherpa

    16,327
    9,874
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    New Hampshire
    You've got me so pumped up!!
     
    smckenna3 and KeyFin like this.
  3. argos31

    argos31 Member

    52
    17
    8
    Jan 2, 2014
    No, division rival with great run D not taking their run D for granted. Good chance he's well under 100 yards
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  4. Dol-Fan Dupree

    Dol-Fan Dupree Tank? Who is Tank? I am Guy Incognito.

    40,533
    33,035
    113
    Dec 11, 2007
    Yes! First guy who ever had two 200 yard games and then a bye week. It is too tempting to make awesome history! As long as O-Line does not get hurt, they can do it.
     
  5. dirtylandry

    dirtylandry Well-Known Member

    4,214
    1,750
    113
    Aug 2, 2015
    Im selling. He will be effective to help exploit their weak pass defense. He'll have 109 on 18 carries
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  6. firedan

    firedan Well-Known Member

    2,000
    826
    113
    Oct 31, 2008
    palm beach county fl
    They will more than likely have to throw it a little more against the jests but they should run it until they stop it.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  7. miamiron

    miamiron There's always next year

    2,354
    1,402
    113
    Jan 4, 2008
    Ajayi was the 4th running back to have back to back 200 yard rushing games
    [h=2]O.J. Simpson, Earl Campbell and Ricky Williams were the others[/h]
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  8. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

    72,252
    43,684
    113
    Nov 27, 2007
    WADR, you didn't read his post carefully.

    First to have back to back 200 yrd games AND then have a bye week. The point being the bye week gives him rest., which may increase his chance at getting a 3rd
     
    VManis and KeyFin like this.
  9. dolfan7171

    dolfan7171 Well-Known Member

    18,065
    3,629
    113
    Jun 12, 2009
    Arizona
    I'm going to say yes. He had a week to rest so let's pound that rock one more time!
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  10. smahtaz

    smahtaz Pimpin Ain't Easy

    I'm not sure how teams are going to defend the Dolphins when they go unbalanced with James next to Albert and Young at TE on the weak side. That is a load.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  11. Unlucky 13

    Unlucky 13 Team Raheem Club Member

    51,927
    63,005
    113
    Apr 24, 2012
    Troy, Virginia
    If you take away the Arizona game, when they allowed 171 yards, the Jets allow just 60 yards per game on the ground. I think that there's a good chance for Ajayi to get 100 yards, but if I were a betting man, I'd bet strongly against him getting 200. I think that a balanced game plan is more what's in store, especially since the Jets pass defense is poor, and we have talented receivers to attack them with.
     
    resnor and KeyFin like this.
  12. Fin-O

    Fin-O Initiated Club Member

    11,375
    11,392
    113
    Sep 28, 2015
    If he only ends up with 18 carries I dont like our chances of winning.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  13. Pauly

    Pauly Season Ticket Holder

    3,696
    3,743
    113
    Nov 29, 2007
    Whilst it is possible, there is a very good reason that it's never been done in the history of the NFL before.

    What he has done in the last 2 games doesn't prevent him from having another 200, its a bit like betting on a single number to come up three times in a row on a roulette wheel.

    The one thing i don't want is a Lamar Smith like 40 carry 200 yard game. We need him for the rest of the season
     
    dolphin25, KeyFin and Unlucky 13 like this.
  14. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    Thanks for replying everyone! I figured I'd let others share their thoughts first instead of giving my opinion in the opening post.

    Personally, I think that there's only one way Ajayi gets 200 yards this week, and that's for Tannehill to come out strong and make them forget about Miami's true identity. If we can get a quick strike to Stills and that secondary has to take a few steps backwards, it's setting up a 2nd half explosion for running out the clock. Because you have to realize, Ajayi was busting out 8-10 yards on first down consistently over the past few weeks- he could easily break 100 yards on 10 carries alone. So we need two huge runs and ten more typical explosive plays- that puts him right at his 200 mark. Twelve solid carries.

    Now, if it's a close game, then we will probably stick with the 50/50 offense and it's a toss-up. So we need to hope for an early lead in the South Florida heat since we know we can run on ANYBODY at home in the later quarters.

    My prediction- I think he takes around 22-25 carries and sets the record in "garbage time" as we are running out the clock in the 4th quarter. As long as he has 70+ rushing yards in the first half, I think it will be very interesting down the stretch. Welcome to the history books, Mr. Ajayi!

    One final thought- as a former offensive lineman, I can tell you firsthand how much it means to be successful in the run. We can pass block perfectly on 19 of 20 plays, yet when we blow that one and the QB gets leveled...that's all anyone remembers. But when your RB can consistently place you in 2nd and short, nobody forgets that. That's your identity, your legacy as a lineman. Those are the plays you remember.

    So as good as our line has played the past two weeks, I'm afraid that we haven't seen nothin yet folks- they are going to be warriors next Sunday and you're going to see some gaping holes to run through. I don't care how good the Jets D is supposed to be.
     
    Puka-head likes this.
  15. Puka-head

    Puka-head My2nd Fav team:___vs Jets Club Member

    8,605
    6,743
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    Slightly left of center
    First off, just beat the flippin jetsters. Nothing else matters.

    But if they can beat them by giving the ball to the J-train til he drops...go for it. Immortality awaits. Think about it, only four men in the history of the NFL, since 1920, have rushed for over 200 yards in consecutive games. That means only four men in history have had even the opportunity to rush for 200 yds in three consecutive games. If they don't give everything they have as an offense and a team to make sure he breaks that record then shame shame shame on them!
     
    resnor and KeyFin like this.
  16. Conuficus

    Conuficus Premium Member Luxury Box

    18,044
    19,676
    113
    Dec 8, 2007
    Well away from here
    Then we spread them out and run stretch plays and reverses. Get the ball on the perimeter, and if we do so you could see either Drake or Williams handling that aspect of the ground game.
     
  17. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

    72,252
    43,684
    113
    Nov 27, 2007
    or Grant
     
  18. Pauly

    Pauly Season Ticket Holder

    3,696
    3,743
    113
    Nov 29, 2007
    It's time to start putting the ball in his hands. Other teams will discount his threat if we keep using him as a decoy.
     
    Fin D likes this.
  19. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    I read that they've been working on a whole package built around Grant, so it's entirely possible that happens this week.
     
    Fin D likes this.
  20. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

    19,127
    11,058
    113
    Apr 22, 2014
    Not a chance.

    There's a reason that getting a double was hard enough in the first place. Even on a good day (and after a bye week) getting a third is highly unlikely. Remember, there's a difference between playing well and making the record books - you don't have to do make history to just play well.

    On top of that, this is a division game and this is exactly the sort of scenario the Dolphins have struggled with in the past. It has the makings of a challenging win, if not a trap game. The Jets defensive line has talent - Leonard Williams by himself is disruptive and could be a challenge for our OL. Consider also the crap Revis has been taking. A game against the Dolphins might be just the sort of thing this Jets team wants to prove itself and let off some steam. So consider, if Revis turns back the clock, even for just one game, if Sheldon Richardson also gets back to form, and if on the offensive side of things Fitzpatrick runs hot instead of cold, this game turns from a cake-walk to a bear-trap.

    Now, having said that, this sort of game and scenario is exactly what the Dolphins need to overcome. They need to be able to go on a run, take a week off, learn to handle both the victories and the rest, and then come in against a divisional opponent, and no matter how they play, put them down like the struggling team they are. Last year's Dolphins couldn't do it. Nor the previous year's....and so on. If this team is different. If Gase is really changing the culture, then the divisional games are the place to prove it, and especially this game against the Jets. A win will be very good. A big win excellent. But ultimately, we want to see a Dolphins team that handles each opponent without underestimating them, and yet sets their sights upon and walks with the big boys.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  21. Fin D

    Fin D Sigh

    72,252
    43,684
    113
    Nov 27, 2007
    While I don't think its likely he'll threepeat, I also don't think "divisional game" has anything to do with it. We did, after all, put 200 on Buffalo.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  22. Rocky Raccoon

    Rocky Raccoon Greasepaint Ghost Staff Member

    30,224
    36,965
    113
    Dec 2, 2007
    Jersey
    Slim to none. It's hard enough to rush for 200 yards against ANY team, but to do it for a third straight game against one of the best run defenses in the NFL? I highly doubt it.

    Honestly, I would be impressed if he even gets to 100. Though I really hope he does. I'd love to shove it down their throats.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  23. Galant

    Galant Love - Unity - Sacrifice - Eternity

    19,127
    11,058
    113
    Apr 22, 2014
    To clarify, my meaning was that just because the Jets have struggled so far doesn't mean they won't be a tough opponent for us - history should teach us that those in our division, even if weak elsewhere, can be difficult for us, at least partially, I suspect, because they toughen up mentally too. So, no-one should count the Jets out, or as an easy target for another 200 yards, just because they've struggled.
     
    Finster, KeyFin and Fin D like this.
  24. Tin Indian

    Tin Indian Rockin' The Bottom End Club Member

    7,929
    4,404
    113
    Feb 10, 2010
    Palm Bay Florida
    I will be thrilled with a 100 yard game which with the way our oline has been playing and coming off a bye is completely doable. I think we will see more passing in this game than the last 2 because as everyone knows the Jets pass defense has been awful.
    I really wish that Culver was ready to go because he would upgrade our secondary immensely.

    What we have to watch out for is Fitzgerald, the guy ALWAYS seems to go off on us for some reason.
     
    KeyFin and dolphin25 like this.
  25. keypusher

    keypusher Well-Known Member

    1,351
    448
    83
    Nov 29, 2007
    No. Even if we were playing the worst run defense in football and Ajayi were OJ Simpson reincarnated (yes, I'm aware OJ isn't dead), his chances of running for 200+ yards would be very small. It's really hard to do even once. That's why it almost never happens, and why many great backs never did it.

    But it would be great to be wrong.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  26. invid

    invid Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    9,149
    9,868
    113
    Dec 9, 2012
    I just really don't want to see any soul-crushing 3rd down conversions where he runs right through the middle of the LOS.
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  27. cdz12250

    cdz12250 Season Ticket Holder Club Member

    10,265
    7,907
    113
    Nov 28, 2007
    Coconut Grove
    He is not going to get 200 yards, but I would love to see us sucker the JEST into thinking that's our game plan and then hit them with lots of play action.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro
     
  28. Vertical Limit

    Vertical Limit Senior Member

    12,162
    5,057
    113
    Nov 25, 2007
    Ill be happy with 90 yards and two touchdowns..
     
    KeyFin likes this.
  29. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

    10,488
    12,821
    113
    Nov 1, 2009
    That's my line of thinking as well...if we don't come into this game with a pass-heavy game plan, then we just aren't taking advantage of a huge opportunity.

    Then again, if we do get a few TD's through the air and take an early lead, we will be running the ball to wear out the clock and that's where a lot of the magic has happened so far. So I'll never say that we can't get to 200 yards- it's just unlikely.
     

Share This Page