The Miami Dolphins won their seventh straight contest, defeating the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football. With the 20-3 victory over the host Saints, the Dolphins now hold the seventh and final playoff seed in the AFC. Let’s break down the four biggest Dolphins Week 16 takeaways.

Dolphins Week 16 Takeaways

1. Defense maintains dominance

The Dolphins have played terrific defense throughout their seven-game win streak. They have held opponents to 10 points or less in five of their past seven. Against the Saints, the defense yielded just three points and collected two interceptions. Cornerback Nik Needham intercepted Saints rookie quarterback Ian Book and returned it for a 28-yard touchdown in the first quarter.

In addition to the picks, the Dolphins accumulated a franchise-best eight sacks. They lead the league with 45 sacks.

The Dolphins held the Saints to a mere 164 yards of total offense. Miami has now held three straight opponents under 300 total yards.

New Orleans did not convert a single third-down attempt. According to the Miami Herald, the Dolphins are the first team in the Super Bowl era to record 8 or more sacks, score a defensive touchdown, hold their opponent under 200 yards, allow zero touchdowns and yield zero third-down conversions.

2. Jaylen Waddle continues masterful rookie campaign

The sixth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, Jaylen Waddle has lived up to his first-round hype. Waddle produced 10 receptions for 92 yards and a touchdown against the Saints.

For the year, Waddle has compiled 943 receiving yards—a Dolphins rookie record. The 23-year-old has 36 receptions (42 targets) with a pair of touchdowns across his past four games. Waddle is well on his way to breaking Anquan Boldin’s NFL rookie record of 101 receptions.

Second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completed 19-of-26 passes for 198 yards, a touchdown and an interception in the win. Waddle, by far the team’s best weapon, has established himself as Tagovailoa’s favorite target for the Dolphins’ slightly underwhelming offensive attack. A No. 1 option for years to come, the Dolphins struck gold with Waddle.

3. Rushing attack nonexistent

They were ineffective on the ground on Monday evening. They were held to 86 rushing yards on 30 attempts. Veteran tailback Duke Johnson had the longest run of the night with a 10-yard gain.

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Miami Dolphins general manager Chris Grier, head coach Mike McDaniel, and new draft pick Chop Robinson in front of Hard Rock Stadium.

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Gayle Benson looking with Pelicans and Saints logo in background

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Miami Dolphins head coach MIke McDaniel next to Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill. Mike McDaniel has a speech bubble with iMessage three dots/ellipsis.

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Held back by a porous offensive line, the Dolphins are averaging only 86.6 rushing yards per contest. The third-worst rushing attack in the NFL, the Dolphins have had just one player rush for over 100 yards in a game this season. That came in Week 15 when Johnson scampered for 107 yards against the New York Jets’ 30th-ranked rush defense.

The Dolphins’ next opponent, the Tennessee Titans, surrender the second-fewest rushing yards per game (86.7). It could be tough sledding on the ground again for the Dolphins in Week 17.

4. Control playoff fate

Miami, which hasn’t lost since Halloween afternoon, controls its own postseason destiny. The Dolphins wrap up the 2021 NFL season with a trip to Nashville to play the AFC South-leading Titans, before hosting the division rival New England Patriots in Week 18.

After starting the season 1-7, the Dolphins have a legitimate chance at reaching the postseason for the first time since 2016. The Dolphins are the first team in NFL history to lose seven straight and win seven consecutive contests in the same season.

The Dolphins, one of four AFC teams with an 8-7 record, will earn a playoff bid if they win their remaining two games.