NFL News & Analysis

Refocused: Miami Dolphins 30, Minnesota Vikings 9

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - AUGUST 10: David Fales #9 of the Miami Dolphins throws during warmups before play against the Atlanta Falcons during a preseason game at Hard Rock Stadium on August 10, 2017 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Joe Skipper/Getty Images)

In spot duty as the team's likely third-stringer for the regular season, Miami Dolphins QB David Fales put up big numbers in the team's preseason finale, a 30-9 win over the Minnesota Vikings. Fales completed 12 of 20 pass attempts for 193 yards and 3 touchdowns.

On the Minnesota side of things, WR Cayleb Jones hauled in 9 of his 10 targets for 127 yards and a score. With that, we give you our PFF exclusive takeaways from the contest for each team.

Top 5 grades

QB David Fales, 90.2 overall grade

CB Torry McTyer, 89.5 overall grade

LB Chase Allen, 88.2 overall grade

LB Trevor Reilly, 87.9 overall grade

WR Jakeem Grant, 86.3 overall grade

Performances of Note:

QB David Fales, 90.2 overall grade

Fales had one of the best nights of the preseason for any quarterback and he did it through the deep ball. On passes that traveled 20 yards or more, Fales was 3-4 for 128 yards and a touchdown. Fales also performed well when pressured, On his five dropbacks under pressure he was 4-5 for 100 yards and a touchdown, good enough for a perfect 158.3 QB rating

WR Jakeem Grant, 86.3 overall grade

Grant’s speed was an absolute difference-maker in Minnesota Thursday night. He smoked multiple Viking corners on go routes and it looked as if no one on the field could match his speed. Grant was targeted six times, catching four for 141 yards and a touchdown. When targeted, his quarterbacks had a passer rating of 149.3. If not for a drop down the sideline where he had another Viking corner beat deep he would have graded even higher

CB Torry McTyer, 89.5 overall grade

McTyer had an outstanding game in coverage for the Dolphins Thursday night. In his 31 snaps in coverage he was only targeted four times, only one of which was caught. McTyer added two pass defenses to a stop on third down. His effort was good enough to earn a coverage grade of 89.3

LB Chase Allen, 88.2 overall grade

Allen was the definition of a linebacker who was all over the field against the Vikings. It seemed that he was involved in every play for the Dolphins defense. Allen finished with nine tackles, five of which resulted in an offensive failure. Allen was particularly great in run defense, where he earned a grade of 91.4

Top 5 grades

WR Cayleb Jones, 91.5 overall grade

G Danny Isidora, 82.7 overall grade

OT Willie Beavers, 82.3 overall grade

CB Mackensie Alexander, 81.0 overall grade

DI Dylan Bradley, 80.5 overall grade

Performances of Note:

WR Cayleb Jones, 91.5 overall grade

Jones, who signed onto the Viking practice squad last winter, had a phenomenal final preseason game for the Vikings. His 10 targets were more than double that any other receiver on the Vikings had, and he caught nine of them for 127 yards. When targeted his quarterback’s had a rating of 152.1

G Danny Isidora, 82.7 overall grade

Isidora was very good run blocking on the interior for the Vikings Thursday night. He showed off his strength on double teams, moving Dolphin defensive linemen back to the second level, his efforts earned him a run-blocking grade of 90.0. But the Dolphin interior linemen got the best of him rushing the passer as he allowed one hit and one hurry in 28 snaps in pass protection, which gave him a poor 46.2 pass-protection grade.

CB Mackensie Alexander, 81.0 overall grade

Alexander, who was drafted in the second round of the 2016 draft, excelled in coverage against the Miami backups. He was targeted only twice in 24 coverage snaps and he did not allow a reception. Alexander also added in a batted pass. His overall play will be a bit tarnished after he showed he was the one person on the field who could cover Jakeem Grant tonight. After forcing and incompletion, Alexander received a taunting penalty giving the Dolphins a first down in the Vikings’ red zone after they had been stopped on third down

DI Dylan Bradley, 80.5 overall grade

While Bradley was just a bit above average in run defense (70.5 run dense grade), he was outstanding getting to the quarterback. On 13 pass rushes, Bradley recorded one sack and two hurries earning a pass rush grade of 80.0.

PFF Game Ball: QB David Fales, 90.2 overall grade

*Grades subject to change pending review

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