Miami Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins surges to career-high 6.5 sacks in win over New York Jets

Christian Wilkins, a defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins, gambled on himself by finishing out his rookie contract rather than agreeing to a long-term one before the 2023 campaign began; all indications point to a huge payoff drawing near.

Wilkins led a defense averaging 3.5 sacks per game with his second two-sack effort in Friday’s 34-13 victory over the New York Jets. On October 15, he got to rookie quarterback Bryce Young of the Carolina Panthers twice.

With 4.5 sacks during the season as of Week 12, Wilkins had matched his career high, which he had established back in 2021. Linebacker Jaelan Phillips, a 2019 first-round selection, leads the club in sacks each with 6.5. Vic Fangio’s defense ranks third in the NFL with 38 sacks and features six players with at least four sacks.

After the victory on Friday, head coach Mike McDaniel remarked, “I think our defense was overlooked for a while.” Additionally, this season didn’t begin precisely like they had hoped, but things will improve. We have led the league in run-stopping defense since Week Eight, and I believe that this performance embodies the entire squad.

As the season goes on, they are continuing to improve, which is exactly what we have defined as what we want to achieve.

Late in the game against the Jets, Phillips had an Achilles injury, according to McDaniel.

Wilkins, with pass rushers Andrew Van Ginkel and Emmanuel Ogbah, must continue recent momentum through the season’s final stretch in order to fill the void left by losing one of the team’s top pass rushers.