Dolphins top Texans: Here are our Snap Conclusions
MIAMI GARDENS — The Dolphins have won five straight games.
Miami is 8-3 and well positioned for the NFL playoff chase.
If the Dolphins can win the AFC East, they'll host a postseason game at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Texans are an embarrassment as a franchise. And yes, Miami was expected to rout Houston. It was 30-0 at half and a 30-15 final.
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When did Houston feel the game was getting away from them?
"From the moment we came out," Texans receiver Brandin Cooks said after the game.
Here are some snap conclusions after further evaluation from the box score:
OT Brandon Shell 39 snaps, 51 percent — Terron Armstead left the game with a pectoral injury, reportedly a strain, after playing 37 snaps, 49 percent. Shell has been very, very solid at right tackle but he hasn't had as many reps at left tackle and was thrust into that position. The line struggled after Armstead left. If Miami needs to go without Armstead on Saturday it will be interesting to see if McDaniel goes with Shell or Greg Little at left tackle.
WR Trent Sherfield 46 snaps, 61 percent — Sherfield has had a very good season after signing a 1-year deal for about $1 million. Sherfield is not only a good blocker but he's a very reliable pass-catcher. Sherfield has ever more snaps than Tyreek Hill and he's obviously ahead of Cedrick Wilson at this point. Fellow former 49ers River Cracraft also had 25 snaps.
RB Myles Gaskin 26 snaps, 34 percent — Gaskin had 972 and 846 yards from scrimmage in the previous two seasons so it's likely been tough to have only two games with carries this year. On Sunday, Gaskin took 6 carries for 17 yards, taking carries ahead of college teammates Salvon Ahmed. It's been Ahmed dressing more regularly this season, largely for special teams reasons.
LB Jerome Baker 34 snaps, 56 percent — Baker had a very strong outing, recording his highest career game grade, according to Pro Football Focus. Baker had 7 tackles, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble. Baker's skill set can really complement pass rushers like Jaelan Phillips (38 snaps), Bradley Chubb (38 snaps) and Melvin Ingram (36 snaps), who rotate through to provide pressure from the edge.
DT Justin Zimmer 13 snaps, 21 percent — In his Dolphins' debut, Zimmer played three snaps fewer than veteran John Jenkins. Zimmer, 30, is 6-feet-3, 300 pounds and played his college ball at Ferris State, just like Dolphins' lineman Zach Sieler. Zimmer had played 21 games in the NFL in four previous seasons with Atlanta, Cleveland and Buffalo.
Joe Schad is a journalist at the Palm Beach Post part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Snap Conclusions Miami Dolphins top Houston Texans, Joe Schad
