The Tape Don't Lie: Miami Dolphins beat Houston Texans, a Review

MIAMI GARDENS — Let's skip to the good part.

Yes, Miami routed Houston 30-15 on Sunday.

Yes, the Dolphins led 30-0 at halftime at Hard Rock Stadium.

Yes, Miami is 8-3 and tied atop the AFC East with Buffalo (Miami holds a tie-breaker edge).

And yes, the Dolphins have won five straight.

But what lies ahead is much more difficult.

A three-game road trip to San Francisco, the Chargers and Buffalo.

Then Green Bay on Christmas, at the Patriots and the Jets.

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But let's take a moment to appreciate what coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Miami have been able to do after sliding from 3-0 to 3-3.

The Dolphins have done all that was expected of them. And more.

And let's also take a moment to confirm the franchise has turned its corner. What if I told you that only Kansas City has more wins than the Dolphins (16-4) in their last 20 games played?

16-4! 16-4! 16-4!

Are you kidding me? Playoffs? Playoffs? Yes, playoffs. It's time for the Dolphins to go to the playoffs. It's time to even maybe host a playoff game.

Keep in mind, the Dolphins have won the AFC East only twice since 1994.

Ugh. That hurts to type. And read. And hear.

But things are different now. Everyone's having fun.

Miami is fast and dynamic and exciting and dangerous and confident, too.

Let's turn the page to December football. I just ordered a North Face Winter coat. Hey, it was a Black Friday deal and have you seen where I'm scheduled to travel?

I'm ready for Buffalo and Boston. But what is this low of 35 degrees in Santa Clara, Calif.?

Anyhow, let's also pause to take a look at what stood out from the Houston contest.

As Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel agrees, "The Tape Don't Lie."

Here are some things we noticed in watching back Dolphins vs. Texans:

Melvin Ingram Impact

Melvin Ingram has had a greater impact on a 1-year veteran deal than some of Miami's previous swings in similar situations.

Ingram is second on the Dolphins to Jaelan Phillips in both quarterback hits (8) and sacks (4).

And while he may not be as explosive as he was when going to Pro Bowls, Ingram brings consistent effort and an array of crafty veteran pass-rush moves. And he holds up against the run.

Tua, McDaniel, Play-Action

The way Mike McDaniel has blending Tua's strengths in the play-action with the offensive scheme he's adapted from San Francisco is impressive.

Miami has not had a very impressive rushing attack this season. Yet defenders still bite the many times Tua hides the ball from their sight and turns his back to pretend to hand off.

And this is accomplished despite the fact the Dolphins are a shotgun-formation-heavy team.

As if players like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle didn't have the speed and the solid route assignments to consistently get open, now defenders, often in zones, are questioning themselves and that creates even more space.

Also, Tua is a masterful ball-handler on play-action. It fits into the theme that he plays the quarterback position like a point guard.

Another thing that was noticeable about Tua on Sunday was how much more comfortable and confident he is moving around the pocket to avoid pressure as well as keep plays alive. If Tua can balance extending plays while also protecting himself, that's an important weapon.

Tyreek Hill irreplaceable

It's true that when the Dolphins drafted Jaylen Waddle they were hoping for a reasonable facsimile of Hill.

And it is true that Miami is extraordinarily blessed to somehow have both on their roster.

It got me thinking about the most irreplaceable people on this Dolphins team.

Here's what I would say:

1. Mike McDaniel

2. Terron Armstead

3. Tyreek Hill

4. Tua Tagovailoa

5. Xavien Howard

This is not a knock on Tua or Xavien. After all, they're Top 5.

But there is a huge drop-off from Armstead to whoever goes in at left tackle.

And Hill completely changes the complexion of Miami's offense. Everything about him being on the field makes things easier, and better, for every other person affiliated with the Dolphins.

Tyreek is everything they hoped he'd be. And more.

Rowe makes things happen

Eric Rowe isn't as young as Brandon Jones and probably not as fast or explosive at this point of his career.

But Rowe is a solid veteran and Miami is fortunate to have had him available after Brandon's season-ending injury. He makes plays.

On Sunday, Rowe came flying in to force a fumble recovered by Xavien Howard for a touchdown.

Last season, Rowe forced three fumbles. Two years ago, Rowe had two interceptions and one fumble recovery.

Rowe can cover receivers and tight ends and running backs and can provide run support. It will be interesting to see how Rowe is deployed against San Francisco weapons like tight end George Kittle and running back Christian McCaffrey.

We have to figure we'll continue to also see some of athletic and versatile rookie safety Verone McKinley, who had his first career interception on Sunday.

Left guard impacted by left tackle

Left guard Robert Jones had a few subpar reps after Armstead went out of the game at the end of the second quarter on Sunday.

The loss of Armstead could potentially impact the rest of the line.

Jones, for example, has cited how much Armstead's veteran presence is a stabilizing force.

Maybe Greg Little gets another shot at left tackle. He has more experience and a higher comfort level at left tackle than Brandon Shell, who has been solid when called upon to play right tackle for the Dolphins.

Shell also had a few supbar reps that contributed to sacks of Tagovailoa.

This looming matchup with Nick Bosa of the 49ers is an extraordinary concern.

Who to thank for the cover

The Dolphins won by 15 and were favored by 14.

Who to thank?

Well, the Texans tried a 2-point conversions rush in the third quarter. But Raekwon Davis had the biggest impact on a stuff, with help from Big John Jenkins and Little Kader Kohou.

And you can thank Chris Grier for the cover, too. Come again?

Well, Grier once traded left tackle Laremy Tunsil to the Texans.

And Tunsil dropped a 2-point conversion pass at the start of the fourth quarter.

If those plays are made, Miami wins, but does not cover.

Bad game, Texans. Bad beat, Texans bettors.

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: The Tape Don't Lie: Miami Dolphins beat Houston Texans, Joe Schad