I cannot lie. I was ready to bash this team and show pics of dolphins getting brutally mutilated in Japan when this team was sitting at 1-7. I’d probably have posted that video of Andy Sandberg yelling because there is no other way to explain how this team was sitting 6 games under .500. This was supposed to be the season where there would be no hiccups. A season where the Dolphins wouldn’t finish 8-8, or 9-7 and just miss the playoffs. This was supposed to be the season where Miami would comfortably finish second, make the playoffs and maybe win a playoffs game or two. Of course, history of this impotent franchise laughed at my optimism and made it quite clear this team wasn’t ready to challenge for anything.

Five victories later and the team has me begrudgingly excited yet again. Give credit to the players who could have just packed it in, but they didn’t. Brian Flores kept them on track and the team is looking pretty damn good heading into their bye.
How the Dolphins have looked so far:

Offensive line: F-

I think we’re going on 12 straight years where the line has ranged from awful to mediocre. But this year’s O-line, they’re missing blocks on every play. It’s as if Brissett and/or Tua owe each guy a million bucks and they also banged the O-line’s parents.

The funny thing is, each lineman’s grade is bad, but could be worse if not for the fact Tua averages under 2.5 seconds before the ball leaves his hand, mainly to avoid becoming the new David Carr.

It’s hard to imagine this o-line getting any worse. But if they could improve their protection by about 5%, that could actually make this offence a legit concern for the D-coordinators. The scary thing is, this might be as good as this line gets.

QB: B+

One of the main reasons that Miami fell to 1-6 is because Tua got hurt twice and missed several games. Now that he’s back, Tua has been fantastic and the Dolphins keep winning. For the season, PFF ranks Tua 10th in passing grade and 13th in total grade– among the 28 QBs who have taken 50% of the snaps.
Furthermore, PFF ranks Tua ahead of Matt Ryan, Russell Wilson, Patty Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, Stafford and Wentz. Tua Tagovailoa has posted a 100-plus passer rating in each of his last four games. The only player in Dolphins history with a longer such streak within a season was Hall of Famer Dan Marino, who did so in six straight games during his 1984 MVP season. Now, I’m not saying Tua is the next Marino by any means. But holy shit, this is incredible when you realize that his offensive line looks like the DFO flag football team trying to stop an NFL team’s d-line.

Running Back: RIP.

At the bye, the Dolphins are ranked No. 31 in the league, with an average of just under 79.2 rushing yards per game this season. Not a single back has stood out above the rest to take over. To make matters worse, the Dolphins’ top 3 RBs–Gaskin, Ahmed, and Lindsay– are all out of with Covid. That leaves not Edmonton Elks player, Duke Johnson, as the only healthy back on the roster. Things are so dire, Miami is trying to sign Lamar Miller to a spot. I’d rather Miami get creative and throw a million at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ way so that they can loan out Andrew Harris.

Sadly, I see the running game getting worse.

Wideouts: C+ for, I’m positive you all need to CATCH THE FUCKING BALL!

Jaylen Waddle has already broken Miami’s rookie record for targets in a season with 114, which ranks sixth in the NFL. He is 15 receptions from tying Anquan Bolden’s record of 101 receptions as a rookie. Waddle has established himself as a featured player on offense and the chemistry with Tua is undeniable. Mike Gesicki is on pace to break Randy McMichael’s All-Time Dolphins TE receiving yards record of 791yds. Gesicki is averaging 49yds/game and has 642yds with 4 games to play. After that though, it’s on par with a boy in the 8th grade fumbling around, trying to unhook a girl’s bra for the first time: not very good. Every week, if seems like at least two or three receivers–one of whom is Parker– has a case of the dropsies. Combine that with the receivers unable to create seperation of space for plays 30 yards and longer, and it’s been a struggle for Tua to make plays. Especially with the backs about to drop off, the wideouts need to step up their game for the Dolphins to win out. That means no more dropping catch able balls and getting open for longer passing plays.

Defense: B

It’s interesting to note that each of Flores’ seasons has gone this way (to an extent) so far: Slow start and strong finish. I suspect it’s due to the constant rotation of assistants and a necessary adjustment period each year to the new system(s). Unfortunately, a slow start was an understatement for this defense early on.They were more akin to a dumpster fire outside of an abortion clinic.

However, around the trade deadline, this defense has significantly reduced the big /free plays, the D-line are constantly winning the trench battles, and the blitz and cover schemes have gotten more complicated as the defense became more comfortable with the playbook.

Jaelan Phillips broke Miami’s rookie record for sacks in a season — with four games to play. Phillips has 8.5 sacks on the year, which is currently No. 11 in the NFL and he has at least three tackles in each of the last four games. Phillips getting to the quarterback for six sacks in three games was the first time it happened since Julius Peppers back in 2002.

The secondary team of Jevon Holland, Byron Jones and Xavien Howard have been fantastic lately. The Dolphins have allowed an average of 190 passing yards over the last three games, which is good for an average of 12 points per game. Holland is doing a bit of everything with 51 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions and nine pass breakups.

As long as the defense stays healthy and plays mistake free football, Miami absolutely has a shot at making the playoffs.

Special Teams: D-

Jason Sanders seems to be an even year kicker-he hit 90 and 92.3% in 2018 and 2020. In 2019, Sanders finished with a 76.7 field goal percentage while missing seven field goals. Through 13 games in 2021, Sanders has already missed six field goals. Additionally, he has missed two field goals between 30 and 39 yards this season — more than his previous three seasons combined. Perhaps more troubling is that the Dolphins have lost four games by three points or less.

As the room for error slims, it’s going to be hard to trust Sanders when he’s having an off year. Because this is totally how it works, if Miami wins their next 2 games, the remaining games are in an even year, where his kicking game dramatically improves, which means they can trust him again.

What should happen:

While they’re not knocked out of the playoff conversation yet, the Dolphins have a small chance of making the postseason because their remaining games are winnable:

They should beat the Jests at home.
The Dolphins will be playing a reeling and offensively inept Aints match in Nawleans and should win.
Then Miami is @ the Tits, whom will not have Henry and are really banged up, which should be another Dolphins win.
Finally, Miami plays @ the P*ts. With how they’re playing, Belichick will likely field their bench warmers as they’ll have nothing to play for, meaning Miami should win this game.

What will happen:

Either Miami loses to the Jests with a missed game winning field goal or they lose to the P*ts on a missed game winning field goal. Either way, they aren’t making the playoffs this year.

Final Thoughts:

I see and like where this team is going. I’m all in on this vision. As a result, I would like to see Grier and Flores stay on as GM and Coach and see what they can do next year with Tua. I’d also like to see Tua keep up his great play, which would likely end the Watson rumours, which I think hurt the team early on. Finally, and for the love of God, I want to see this franchise break the bank and sign 2 elite linemen. Miami tanked for 2 years to ensure they got Tua. It’s about time that they spend the money needed to ensure Tua can stay upright and healthy for a whole season.

If you’re feeling adventurous, I’d put $20 on Miami making the playoffs. You’d fetch a high return for something that could actually happen.

Go Phins!