Touchdown pass to Darren Waller helped the Dolphins to a big early lead at Carolina, but then they stopped throwing to him.

Pressure Point: Dolphins’ collapse at Carolina signals change inevitable

/0 Comments/in , /by

The Miami Dolphins lost a lot when Tyreek Hill blew out his knee in week 4.

His absence is not the reason the Dolphins’ season is a lost cause five weeks in following a dispiriting 27-24 loss Sunday at Carolina.

Not with the timely arrival of another former All-Pro receiver, Darren Waller, providing a dynamic new weapon for Tua Tagovailoa (5 receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown). And with Jaylen Waddle doing his part to fill the void (6 catches for 110 yards including a 46-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter).

No, the absolute failure of this poorly constructed Dolphins team isn’t about having enough play makers on offense.

It’s about the must fundamental aspect of the game. If you can’t man up on at the line of scrimmage, you’re a pushover.

The Dolphins have been just that, bowled over and bludgeoned on both sides of the ball, week after week.

Dolphins out-muscled at line of scrimmage

Two stark numbers succinctly summarize how the Dolphins lost this battle of 1-3 teams after building a 17-0 lead:

Miami mustered only 19 yards rushing on 14 attempts.

Carolina rushed for 239 yards on 32 attempts.

It was a simple matter of brute force and the ability (and will) to block and tackle. Each category was no contest in favor of the Panthers.

Carolina achieved that despite missing starting running back Chuba Hubbard. That proved no impediment with backup Rico Dowdle running wild for 206 yards while averaging 9 yards a carry.

Dowdle went 53 yards untouched around the right side before Mincah Fitzpatrick made a touchdown-saving tackle on one third-quarter run.

There is no apparent solution to the inability to run the ball or stop the opponent from doing so.

No easy fixes for Dolphins’ shortcomings

These are the players that were chosen to fill this deeply flawed roster. It’s not a matter of watching the video and making adjustments. This group simply is not good enough.

The gap just to attain mediocrity is a wide chasm.

Consequently, the Collapse at Carolina has the look of a regime-ending defeat. It’s a matter of when, not if, heads will roll.

The remainder of the season will be more about what team owner Steve Ross decides to do than about how coaches and players adjust. Because drastic change is inevitable now.

While fans are chanting for firings, beginning with the coach and general manager, the state of the franchise is disheartening for everyone who still cares about it.

The latest so-called rebuilding effort, convened after the 2019 season, has produced nothing more than two one-and-done playoff appearances. This season is destined to be the second in a row without an extra game.

The drought without a postseason win since 2000 is no closer to ending. It will be a long climb from starting over again.

Dolphins squander early lead

Sunday’s loss was a prime example of how the Dolphins build up hopes, only to let their followers down. They took advantage of two turnovers by Panthers quarterback Bryce Young to build a 17-0 lead.

But after Waller caught a 4-yard pass from Tua in the back of the end zone early in the second quarter, the big tight end wasn’t targeted again the rest of the game.

Meanwhile, the Panthers realized they could run with ease through Anthony Weaver’s defense and the outcome appeared inevitable even while the Dolphins clung to the lead.

Tagovailoa, as he often does, won the stats game with 256 yards passing, three touchdowns and a 122.0 passer rating. But his day ended with a high throw off Waddle’s fingertips and a sack.

Ultimately, his accomplishments in the game — including the long TD heave to Waddle to reclaim the lead with less than five minutes remaining — had a hollow ring, much like his career.

Watching it unfold was like witnessing a crash in slow motion. With 12 games left to be played out, it remains to be seen how much of the audience bothers to keep watching.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for more than four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

Tua Tagovailoa has thrived in coach Mike McDaniel's offense with the Miami Dolphins.

The Key’s to a Miami Dolphins Victory in Carolina

/0 Comments/in , /by

Coming off of their first win of the 2025 season and the loss of their biggest superstar, the Miami Dolphins will look to stay on track as they travel to Bank of America Stadium to take on the Carolina Panthers.

For the Dolphins it’s about making a statement and getting their season back on track and for the Panthers it’s about responding and finding some consistency following two interesting football games.

So here are three keys to victory for the Miami Dolphins.

  1. Run the Ball: I have repeated this key each and every week of the Miami Dolphins season. And now with Tyreek Hill out it is even more important. The Miami Dolphins most talented offensive weapon is their tailback (Devon Achane) and the offensive line has done much better in run blocking versus pass blocking. Running the ball will enable the Dolphins to follow their success from last week in the play action game and help alleviate this offensive line. The Dolphins are top 10 in yards per attempt, but bottom 5 in rushing yards per game. Establish the run, control the clock.
  2. Pressure Bryce Young: Bryce Young has yet to show that he can be a top quarterback in this league. He struggles under pressure, turns the ball over, and will be without his top back this week (Chuba Hubbard). For the Dolphins, the pass rush that everyone raved about in the offseason has been nonexistent. Last week the Patriots got 4 quarterback hits and one sack on Young in their 42-13 rout. On top of pressuring Bryce Young, it will be essential for the Dolphins to contain first round pick Tet McMillan, the only true game changer the Panthers have.
  3. Get Malik Washington Involved: Malik Washington can do it all, and without Tyreek Hill I expect him to benefit most. Washington has been seen on punt/kick return, in the receiving game, and in the rushing game, even lining up in the backfield. Washington is dynamic and throws a good wrinkle in there, making it hard to contain the Dolphins offense.

Some other keys:

  • Win the turnover battle. The Dolphins generated their first turnovers last week and look, they won the game.
  • Time to let McDaniel and Tua shine. Without Tyreek, the Dolphins offense loses the over-the-top explosiveness, but this offense is still talented and could benefit in a way without Tyreek.

Miami will look to their next man up without Tyreek Hill and should be able to handle an inferior opponent. That being said it’s the NFL, and on any given Sunday, anyone can come out on top.

Dolphins Loss Chiefs

Longtime Dolphins Corner Xavien Howard Abruptly Retires

/0 Comments/in , /by

While seeing Xavien Howard in a Colts jersey was a weird feeling, it didn’t last long. Howard had a rough start with the Colts and after four weeks he has abruptly retired. Howard made his announcement October first via his Instagram:

Image

Xavien Howard is arguably the best corner in Dolphin’s history, up there with franchise icons Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison. As a Dolphin Howard tallied:

  • Achievements: 5× Pro Bowl (2018, 2020-2022), First-team All-Pro (2020) 100 games
  • Stats: 29 interceptions, 4 touchdowns, 95 passes defended, 331 tackles

Over 100 games. Howard was a bright spot in the rough Dolphins years, forming a fierce duo with the likes of Byron Jones and Jalen Ramsey, holding down the Dolphin’s secondary. Howard was a playmaker, a ball hawk and should have been the defensive player of the year in his 2020 campaign where he recorded:

  •  10 interceptions (led NFL)  
  • 20 passes defended (led NFL)  
  • 1 forced fumble
  • 51 total tackles

Howard came third in the voting that year and led the Miami Dolphins to a top 10 defense.

Now Xavien Howard will get to spend more time with his kids and be a father. At 32 Howard has plenty ahead of him and will look forward to his next chapter in life.

After nearly a decade in the NFL, Howard believes he has “fulfilled his purpose” with football and it’s hard to argue against that. His 8 seasons in Miami contain some of the most dominant stretches from an NFL corner and make a strong case for the best tenure in Dolphin’s history.

A corner has yet to make the Miami Dolphins ring of honor, but it will be difficult not to make a case for Xavien Howard. Below are his best highlights. https://x.com/FinsPhanatics/status/1973516416528818230

Howard’s career might feel like it ended suddenly, but his place in Dolphin’s history is anything but fleeting. For nearly a decade, he was the heartbeat of Miami’s defense, the rare player who could tilt a game with one play. Few corners in the league could match his instincts and ability to bait quarterbacks into costly mistakes, and for Dolphins fans, his interceptions were often the lone sparks in otherwise lean years.

Whether or not he becomes the first cornerback in the team’s Ring of Honor, Howard has already secured something harder to earn–lasting respect from the fanbase and a spot in the conversation with the Dolphins’ all-time greats.

Why Cameron Wake Belongs in the Dolphins’ Ring of Honor

 

The Miami Dolphins must quickly fill the void after losing Tyreek Hill to a serious knee injury.

Pressure Point: Dolphins must adjust quickly to reality without Tyreek Hill

/0 Comments/in , /by

Granted, any win in the NFL is a hard day’s work.

The Miami Dolphins can feel accomplished that they are finally proud owners of one in 2025. It came with a steep price, though, losing their most impactful player in a 27-21 conquest of the winless New York Jets on Monday night.

The term for that is pyrrhic victory.

This one will be remembered only for the loss of five-time All Pro receiver Tyreek Hill to a devastating knee injury, certainly for the season, quite possibly forever.

Harsh reality sets in rapidly in a league whose initials could stand for Not For Long.

The 1-3 Dolphins can point to improvement over the past six quarters of play, including the second half at Buffalo. Whether that is a genuine turn for the better is inconclusive at best.

As for Monday, the difference was a recovered fumble at the goal line against a team whose performance was so inept its coach could be heard afterward by media members bellowing behind closed doors.

Rarely does an NFL team play as stupidly for 60 minutes as the Jets did Monday. They had 13 assessed penalties, three turnovers and committed a slew of mental errors.

Jets’ epic ineptitude aided Dolphins

Jets fans were calling for the head of Isaiah Williams, who fumbled away the second-half kickoff and called for a fair catch at his own 2 yard line in the final minute.

Jets running back Breece Hall summed up the evening well with “Teams shoot themselves in the foot, then we come back and shoot ourselves in the head.”

Quite frankly, the Dolphins also were beneficiaries of several questionable rulings by the officials.

What, then, was revealed about the Dolphins in holding off one of the league’s most dysfunctional teams?

Again, inconclusive.

One thing to say with conviction, I actually liked the Dolphins’ “Dark Water” rivalry uniforms. They looked badass, a quality this team has lacked.

The defense did answer coordinator Anthony Weaver’s demand for a more “violent” approach. They created turnovers for the first time this season. Cornerback Jack Jones punched the ball free just before Braelon Allen crossed the goal line on the Jets’ opening drive and Minkah Fitzpatrick recovered.

But prior to the fumble, Fitzpatrick accurately noted, “They were running the ball with ease.” The safety acknowledged, “When a team is running the ball like that, especially on the first drive of the game, it can be super deflating.”

Dolphins defense still getting run over

Although they got better after that, Miami’s defense still allowed 404 yards total offense, including 197 on the ground (7.1 yards per attempt).

There was a lot of violent head turning as Jets backs ran past.

The pass rush had trouble reaching and containing Justin Fields, who scampered away for a 43-yard touchdown.

The Miami defense needs more examples like linebacker Jordyn Brooks (18 tackles). Cornerback, a position of concern, has actually been passable with Jones and Rasul Douglas.

But whether the Dolphins can beat anyone better than the Jets with this defense is: inconclusive.

That their grip on this one remained uncomfortable until the end is concerning. But there are positives to cite.

In the immediate aftermath of Hill’s departure on a cart, joking and waving, the Dolphins responded with back to back touchdown drives. They uncovered an intriguing new offensive force in the Dolphins debut of massive tight end Darren Waller, a target so expansive that Tua Tagovailoa will be hard pressed to overthrow him.

“I mean I can’t remember the last time I’ve thrown the ball to dang near the goal post and somebody catches it like that,” Tua said of Waller’s jaw-dropping grab at the back of the end zone for the first of two touchdown catches. “So, that’s the kind of guy that we have in Darren Waller.”

Tight end Waller has immediate impact for Dolphins

So, Waller becomes exhibit No. 1 of how the Dolphins will cope with the loss of Hill, who has missed only one game in his four seasons with Miami. He is their leading receiver this season and even claimed that distinction for this game (six catches for 67 yards) despite his early departure.

Througouth his tenure, the Dolphins have gone best when Hill is going well.

Even with the void Hill’s injury leaves, there is reason to be encouraged by the potential of McDaniel’s offense. It looked more like the 2023 version than we’ve seen since then with the combination of pre-snap motion, deception and speed bringing positive results. It was evident they had 11 days to prepare.

For the first time this season Tagovailoa didn’t have a turnover or a sack. I liked getting him out of the pocket, where he’s been vulnerable if his first read isn’t open, and having him throw on the run.

Best of all was the balance with 31 rushes (123 yards) and 25 passes. The makeshift offensive line did a good job of opening lanes for De’von Achane, including Cole Strange getting his first start at right guard.

But is that a reflection of general improvement or status quo by facing the Jets, who have lost 10 in a row at Hard Rock Stadium? Again, inconclusive.

Jaylen Waddle must lead Dolphins receivers

What matters now is how they go forward without Hill. Is Jaylen Waddle ready to step into the featured receiver role? He has moments of brilliance, but now he must emerge as the go-to guy.
Malik Washington will have the chance to play a bigger part and there should be opportunity to finally  take the wraps off talented Tahj Washington.

There is speculation about using running backs Achane and Ollie Gordon II together, with Achane lining up as a receiver. But Achane is too valuable as the featured runner for that to me more than a variation.

How will this Dolphins team respond to the post-Tyreek reality? The weeks ahead will reveal a lot more than Monday’s win over the self-destructible Jets.

A good starting point would be to throw to Darren Waller as often as possible.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for more than four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

The Edge of Collapse: Dolphins Seek First Win Against Rival Jets

/0 Comments/in , /by

The Miami Dolphins are 0-3 and come home to face their division rival New York Jets (0-3). A rivalry long rooted in history, at one of its darkest points. Both teams come into the game at a crossroads, the Jets in a transition year, with a new coach and quarterback, while the Dolphins continuity is seeing its chapter come to a close. For this Dolphins chapter, a win is necessary, go to 0-4 while being 0-3 in the division — change is imminent — win and maybe they can right this ship.

So here are the keys to a Miami Dolphins victory.

  1.  Establish the run. The Miami Dolphins rushing attack has actually been among the NFL’s best and with a young, struggling offensive line, the run can help build that unit, and also alleviate some pressure on passing downs. Miami is averaging 5.2 yards per carry which is good for third in the NFL. The Jets are allowing 4.1 yards per attempt and 133 yards a game. Ollie Gordon and Devon Achane must have a big role in tonight’s matchup, allowing Miami to keep their struggling defense on the sideline.
  2. Contain Justin Fields. The Jets offense has been heavily reliant on the run, whether it’s been Tyrod Taylor, Justin Field, Breece Hall, or Braelon Allen. The Jets are only averaging 144.7 passing yards while running for 127 per game. Their best offensive performance came in week one against the Steelers when the Jets ran for 182 yards, with 48 of those coming from Fields (12 carries). The Dolphins defense must hold their gaps, and I would expect them to try more of Willie Gay this week to combat Field’s elusiveness.
  3. Win the turnover battle. I have said this every week, but not it has become a glaring issue and cause of loss. The Miami Dolphins have yet to force a turnover and currently hold a second worst -5 turnover differential. This formula just doesn’t in football games. The Jets are also not very good in this category, so as coach Weaver said “”At some point it comes down to changing the math through violence… I need you to do more than your job, I need you to whip that guy’s a– in front of you.” The Dolphins defense needs to come out fast and ferocious this week and get Hard Rock Stadium involved.

For the Dolphins this really is their season, 0-4 everything spirals, sell the assets and get ready for the next build. Win. And maybe there is a reason to believe.

Austin Dobbins – Sports Illustrated

PrizePicks

Off the Floor

Miami’s Crossroads: Mike McDaniel and the Fight to Save a Season

Miami’s Crossroads: Mike McDaniel and the Fight to Save a Season

/0 Comments/in , /by

The Miami Dolphins are now 0-3 in “franchise” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s 6th NFL season, and the fourth season under head coach Mike McDaniel. 0-3 is not the place any organization wants to be and currently puts the Miami Dolphins in the same boat as the Jets, Saints, Texans, Titans, and Giants. The only team similar to Miami here is the Houston Texans, who hope that they found their guy in C.J. Stroud.

For the Dolphins, this rebuild has failed. The draft capital, the opportunity, the triumphs, and the tragedies have all led to the same story, the “Same Old Dolphins,” the team that holds the second longest playoff win drought of the four major U.S. sports.

Now, for many, this season is a wash, an opportunity for the Dolphins to hit the reset button once again. But for those in the building, it is the last chance to prove their worth and change the narrative surrounding themselves and the Miami Dolphins. Which brings us to the New York Jets and Monday Night Football, where the Miami Dolphins go, depends on that game’s result.

Dolphins Remaining Schedule

Week 4 — vs. Jets (MNF), 7:15 PM
Week 5 — at Panthers, 1:00 PM
Week 6 — vs. Chargers, 1:00 PM
Week 7 — at Browns, 1:00 PM
Week 8 — at Falcons, 1:00 PM
Week 9 — vs. Ravens (TNF), 8:15 PM
Week 10 — vs. Bills, 1:00 PM
Week 11 — vs. Commanders (Madrid), 9:30 AM
Week 13 — vs. Saints, 1:00 PM
Week 14 — at Jets, 1:00 PM
Week 15 — at Steelers (MNF), 8:15 PM
Week 16 — vs. Bengals (SNF), 8:20 PM
Week 17 — vs. Buccaneers, 1:00 PM
Week 18 — at Patriots, 1:00 PM

With a Loss to the Jets

If the Dolphins lose to the Jets, they will be 0-4 before facing an inferior opponent in the Panthers. But at 0-4, would that even matter? Only one team has ever made the playoffs after going 0-4. The 1992 Chargers went 11-1 over their final 12 games. San Diego won in the Wild Card round, 17-0 over the Chiefs, but ended up losing in a 31-0 blowout against the Dolphins in the Divisional Round. If the Dolphins move to 0-4 with the Chargers, Ravens, Bills, Commanders, Steelers, Bengals, and Bucs on deck, chalk the season up and move on to the next. At that point, you explore selling high on assets. Tyreek Hill could bring back serious draft capital from a contender, and others could be on the table as well.

0-4 would bring serious conversations about firing McDaniel. Tua would still likely get the nod.

With a Win to the Jets

In all honesty, a win does nothing except get the Dolphins back on track. A win Monday is expected, but helps the team believe again, and with the Panthers on deck there would be real optimism in turning their season around. With the talent of this team and their backs against the wall, there is no reason that they should not be 4-4 by Week 9 against Baltimore and getting healthy on the offensive line. For the fans, opinions will not change, and they have no reason to until the Dolphins prove their worth against the NFL’s best. Beating bad teams means nothing.

For the Dolphins

At some point, Tua Tagovailoa has to find himself again. The flashes that once made him the unquestioned franchise quarterback have faded into inconsistency, and the Dolphins cannot afford to wait forever. This roster still has enough talent to compete, but Miami needs to lean into what is working. Their rushing attack is averaging 5.2 yards per carry, fourth-best in the league, and it has been the one reliable spark in an otherwise disappointing start.

The Dolphins can either keep trying to force the passing game to define them, or they can embrace balance, protect their quarterback, and play to their strengths. Monday night against the Jets is more than a test of will. It is a moment of truth for Tua, for Mike McDaniel, and for a franchise desperate to escape the shadow of the Same Old Dolphins.

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is 1-9 against the Bills after Thursday's defeat at Buffalo.

Pressure Point: Dolphins at bleak crossroads after 0-3 start

/0 Comments/in , /by

If the NFL graded on a curve, you could make a case for giving them a pass on their performance in Thursday night’s 31-21 loss at Buffalo.

Almost.

But there is no curve in the NFL. The lines are straight and laid out in a grid. You either cross them or you don’t.

0-3 is 0-3, however you want to sugarcoat it. And nobody really does.

Even Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel: “We came here to win and I refuse to take moral victories as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. It wasn’t good enough, so that’s where I’m at.”

The question is, how long does he stay where he’s at as coach of the Dolphins?

Three games into a season with everyone’s job on the line, facing a mandate of playoffs or else, this team is already in deep dung.

Since 1990, 162 NFL teams have started a season 0-3. Of those, only four have made the playoffs. Since 2000, only the 2018 Houston Texas have done so.

Dolphins haven’t quit on McDaniel

The positive to point out from another wrenching loss is that McDaniel hasn’t lost the locker room. Yet.

The beleaguered coach had the team ready off a short week and led a strong effort that had a major upset within reach at one of the toughest buildings in the league.

“His piss was hot,” receiver Tyreek Hill said of McDaniel. “The way he coached and the way he led men today was a beautiful thing.”

Ultimately, the Dolphins did what they always do at Buffalo: They made the fatal mistakes while the Bills made the needed plays.

With the score tied, Zach Sieler roughed the punter and virtually gifted the go-ahead touchdown to the Bills. Then, Tua Tagovailoa threw the inevitable coup-de-grace interception deep in Bills territory.

So a team having to rely on inexperience at too many positions was done in by cornerstone veterans on defense and offense.

There were also too many undisciplined penalties, including rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea flagged for being downfield on a pass play to negate a first-down completion.

These are all signs of a bad team, because they are not isolated incidents.

Tagovailoa continues to regress

Most troubling is Tagovailoa’s regression. As the franchise quarterback, this team is going where he leads them, which right now is down the tubes.

Most telling are Tua’s numbers in the fourth quarter after three games: a completion rate of 65.5 percent (19 for 29) and a passer rating of 80.2, while throwing two touchdowns, two interceptions and taking four sacks.

Mystifying is why a receiving corps loaded with speed has so much trouble getting open, forcing Tagovailoa to check down and dump it off for short gains as protection breaks down.

Is it the pass routes? Does Tua not see receivers who are open? He certainly didn’t see Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard breaking across in front of Jaylen Waddle for the fateful interception.

“It’s a tough job to do when there’s someone in your face,” McDaniel said. “Everybody needs to do better. And if you’ve gotta ditch the ball to the flat in moments like that, then that’s what you have to learn from.”

Tagovailoa was under pressure when he made the throw. But here’s the thing, the Dolphins never force Josh Allen into that mistake.

The quarterback the Dolphins chose to invest $53,000,000 a year in is now 1-9 against Allen and the Bills.

Dolphins’ vertical passing game absent

He did throw touchdowns to Hill and Waddle, and the offense converted 10 of 15 third-down chances. But he averaged a paltry 4.3 yards per pass.

McDaniel’s once acclaimed high-octane passing game is plodding along like a dump truck.

Where do they go from here?

On the plus side, for the first time in three games they showed up with a sense of urgency and opened with an impressive touchdown drive.

As TV analyst Kirk Herbstreit put it, “This is a team that’s shown up in a bad mood.”

About time they showed some mettle.

They finally took the reins off rookie running back Ollie Gordon II — and what the hell took so long? — and he showed the impressive inside running evident in preseason, including bulling for the touchdown and a stunning 7-0 Miami lead.

But the defense still doesn’t have an interception or fumble recovery. They can’t stop the run. The pass rush, which was supposed to be a strength, has been inadequate.

Bottom line is they’ve allowed more than 30 points in each game so far.

The upcoming schedule offers opportunities with three of the next four games against teams that are 0-2. The Jets are up next, a Monday night date at home.

Dolphins season already seems broken

Another prime time date on the hot seat with the McDaniel/Chris Grier regime on the brink of joining a growing pile on the junk heap this century.

The evidence of failure is stark and damning. It is painfully apparent Tua was not worth the staggering investment and McDaniel’s way is not working.

What is not known is the limit of owner Steve Ross’ patience.

Hill laid out the crossroads this team faces: “Do you want to be the 0-3 team that just, hey, we’re going to throw in the towel … or are we going to be remembered as the team that started 0-3 and found a way to turn it around?”

There’s no way to skirt around it. Either cross the lines or get knocked back. Simple as that for the Dolphins on the rough road ahead.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for more than four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

Can the Dolphins Upset the Bills on Thursday Night Football?

/0 Comments/in , /by

The Miami Dolphins are off to their worst start since 2020, when they ended the season 10-6. But this season doesn’t appear to be heading in that direction; unless they can pull off a miracle upset against the Buffalo Bills, in Buffalo, a place they haven’t had much success. For many fans this game may signify the beginning of the end, but for the Dolphins’ personnel, this game is a chance to flip the script and turn the tides on an abysmal start to this 2025 season.

So how can they do it?

  1. Run the Ball: The Miami Dolphins are averaging the most yards per carry in the NFL this season on the fewest attempts. Buffalo has allowed the second most rushing yards per game at 169 yards and will be without defensive tackle Ed Oliver. For Miami establishing the run does so many things, especially this week, it keeps the ball out of Buffalo’s hands, enables the Dolphins to open up the passing game for their speedy receiving core, and can take some of the pressure of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Miami gets back some reinforcement in the half back room as Jaylen Wright is good to go, and I expect Miami to run a lot of two back sets today. Go back to the run game roots McDaniel and go win a football game.
  2. Win the Turnover Battle: This is a key to victory for every game but especially when you are 12.5-point dogs. The Dolphin’s defense has yet to force a turnover this season, and the Buffalo Bills have won the turnover battle in 24 straight games, the longest such streak in NFL history. For the offense ball security will be key, and for a defense that has mighty struggled, this is a way to gain some confidence and catch a groove not only for tonight but the rest of the season. Zach Sieler and Minkah Fitzpatrick have to show up against Buffalo, and The Dolphins must get off the field. Dolphins Defensive Statistics
  3. Eliminate the Pre snap Penalties: On the road, a place you haven’t won, it’s going to be loud as always. Miami has to be clean and get off a smooth operation. McDaniel said that the coaches came together for a fix, but they need to prove it, make it happen and eliminate the costly self-inflicted penalties.
  4. Change the Brand, Get Physical: The Dolphins are long known as soft, the Bills are not, the Dolphins are long known not to block well, run well, play well in primetime, beat good teams, everything. Miami has to come ready to play, with a chip on their shoulder and remind the league, and their very own fan base what they are capable of.

Can the Dolphins win? Of course, it’s the NFL, it’s a short week, and it’s an interdivision matchup. The Miami Dolphins have to come into this game and take their media answers seriously, play together, put the past behind and get started fast.

The Dolphins can’t erase a rough start overnight, but they can set the tone for the rest of 2025. Beat Buffalo in their house, and suddenly the conversation changes from a season slipping away to a season worth fighting for.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said he's focused on preparing the team, not his job security.

Pressure Point: Heat is on 0-2 Dolphins, McDaniel with Bills up next

/0 Comments/in , /by

That wasn’t merely a crushing defeat for the Miami Dolphins against a division rival they hadn’t lost to at home in six years.

It had the look of a regime killer.

The home opener against the New England Patriots was prefaced by a plane pulling a banner over Hard Rock Stadium calling for firing of Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel and GM Chris Grier.

That sentiment is certain to grow louder after a fourth quarter collapse resulted in a 33-27 loss that exposed glaring deficiencies on offense, defense and special teams. And most notably to coaching.

Especially with a prime-time date at Buffalo in four days where odds favor the Fins falling into a 0-3 hole to open the season.

Sunday’s game was a wild and fascinating afternoon of football. But there is much more than entertainment value at stake for a Dolphins franchise lost in the woods for a quarter century.

This is a team that is obviously regressing despite having a $200 million veteran quarterback and a coach in his fourth season.

Asked if he was concerned about his job, McDaniel said, “I think if I worry about my job security, I won’t be doing my job, and I think that inherently is against all things that I believe in.”

Dolphins dig early hole again

The apparent lack of preparation and level of incompetence evident in both season-opening defeats is inexcusable.

On their final two possessions, needing a touchdown to win, the Dolphins not only couldn’t handle the Patriots, they literally sabotaged themselves with mindless penalties – four of them for false starts or delay of game – and incompetence.

Tua Tagovailoa was sacked three times in those two possessions – five times total in the game – and threw an interception directly to a defender.

Tagovailoa, who was on the losing end against New England for the first time in his career, said he plans to talk to McDaniel and the offense about those failings, “because what we put out there, that was [unsatisfactory].

“Anyone who knows football and anyone who doesn’t know football, just knows that was not clean and that was not right what we were doing at the end of the game. We’ll get that fixed and communicate that to those guys and we’ll move forward from there.”

Part of the problem was the patchwork right side of the offensive line with starters at guard and tackle on injured reserve for at least a month.

Still, there is no masking Tagovailoa’s own shortcomings, notably his lack of mobility and inability to improvise and save a play when it goes awry.

Former Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard said last week that Tua went into panic mode when the Colts took away his first look. That was evident at times against the Patriots.

Notably, Tagovailoa expressed frustration with communication from the sideline at the end of the game. This speaks of a team out of sync.

“That was really frustrating. It was frustrating with the communication, with the guys inside the huddle and then what the personnel is, then the play for those guys,” Tagovailoa said. “Do we have too many guys in, why do we have another guy running in. Just the whole operation of that was not up to standard, was not up to par and I’ve got to do a better job with our guys in that sense.”

Dolphins’ woes on defense tough to overcome

Meanwhile, the ineffectiveness of Anthony Weaver’s defense has been astounding. After giving up points on every Colts possession in week 1, the defense was burned for two touchdowns and a field goal by the Patriots before getting its first stop five minutes into the third quarter following a sack by Jordyn Brooks.

After being embarrassed on the road at Indianapolis, the Dolphins, inexplicably, looked just as unprepared for their home opener. They fell behind by two touchdowns while being outgained 143-5 in net yards to open the game.

As for special teams, the Dolphins got a 74-yard punt return for a touchdown by Malik Washington to reclaim the lead in the fourth quarter. Only to give it back by allowing a 90-yard return on the ensuing kickoff.

“Ultimately, I look at absolutely everything falling on me,” McDaniel said. “That being said, I’m very frustrated with some coaches and players that did not [execute] with the game on the line. Our communication and substitution was up to par.”

Nonetheless, McDaniel’s Dolphins let a winnable game get away at home after rallying to lead twice in the second half.

Vrabel has Dolphins’ number

The win was the first for Mike Vrabel as coach of the Patriots. But he is 3-0 against Tua-led Dolphins including his tenure with the Tennessee Titans.

If the season continues to unravel for Miami, the turning point of the Tagovailoa and McDaniel era may be traced to the December 2023 defeat at Tennessee when Vrabel’s Titans rallied from a 14-point deficit in the final three minutes.

It was difficult to look at Vrabel on the Patriots’ sideline Sunday and not feel some envy from a Dolphins perspective.

Nonetheless, the Patriots are a rebuilding team with a long way to go to challenge Buffalo in the AFC East.

The Dolphins seem farther from being up to that task than at any time under McDaniel, and they’ve never been close.

Tagovailoa was asked if he was aware of the banner that flew over the stadium before Sunday’s game.

“I didn’t see any of that but I did hear the boos,” he said. “That’s part of the game. It’s all understandable and it comes with the game.”

The Dolphins have now lost to two middling teams with undistinguished quarterbacks to open the season. The Patriots’ Drake Maye, at least, is young, mobile and demonstrated potential Sunday. But he’s a long way from Josh Allen, the long-time nemesis the Dolphins must quickly prepare to face on Thursday night at Buffalo.

It’s been quite awhile since there has been so much at stake for the Dolphins this early in a season.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for more than four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

Miami Dolphins Face Early Season Gut Check vs. New England

/0 Comments/in , /by

The Miami Dolphins open up their 2025 home games this Sunday against the New England Patriots, one week after getting embarrassed by the Daniel Jones led Colts. This loss has caused an immense ripple effect from the national/local media and fans. Mike McDaniel is now a huge betting favorite to be the first coach fired, Tyreek Hill trade rumors are swirling, and their entire identity is once again being questioned.

Now for Dolphins fans this shouldn’t be anything new, 25 years of the same story, the same finish, and the disrespect regarding their favorite team. But the Dolphins must do something to change this and it starts Sunday, otherwise the most exciting build in recent Dolphins history, the Super Bowl window, Mike McDaniel, Tua, Grier, Tyreek, all of that, is over; and the reset button will once again be hit for a team that sports the second longest playoff win drought (advancing to the next round) in the four major U.S sports.

But what can the Dolphins do to try and get back on track this Sunday.

  1. It starts with showing up ready to play. The Dolphins got punched in the mouth last week, and if it weren’t for Devon Achane they would have been shut out. They played without energy, lacked the will to win, and were unprepared, which is quite unacceptable for the first game of the season, a game that McDaniel had yet to lose. So, this week, with another perfect record on the line (Tua is 7-0 vs New England) the Dolphins must start fast, get the fans behind them before Hard Rock Stadium lets out relentless chants that will be hard for the team to ignore.
  2. Play Together. This sound silly but it’s true. The Miami Dolphins must be a team, the team of 2023 played together, had fun, and most importantly had each other’s backs. After a loss like last week, it’s easy to get off track, try and pin the blame on another teammate and lose belief but the Dolphins have to play complementary team football. From communication to accountability, it all needs to be on display this Sunday vs their rival (Let Jordyn Brooks Explain).
  3. Tua must play well. Quarterback one has been acting quite defensive with the media recently (My Observation). Tua is under heavy scrutiny from both the fan base and the national media, even though he insists he is not on social media. Many critics question whether he is truly a franchise quarterback, and after what might have been the worst performance of his career, he needs to respond. The talent is there, the intangibles are there, but the only way to silence the noise is to bounce back and prove it on the field.
  4. Get Tyreek Involved.This has to happen for several reasons. First, Tyreek Hill is Miami’s best offensive weapon, and since 2023 the team is 11-0 when he records 100 or more yards. Second, keeping him engaged is crucial. He has started the season focused and seemingly free of distractions, but if the Dolphins keep losing and fail to feature him, frustration could build and eventually lead to trade demands. The irony is that proving he is still one of the league’s most dangerous weapons also boosts his trade value. Getting Hill involved keeps the offense explosive while also giving Miami leverage for the future.
  5. Win. Miami has to win, if they lose, they are staring 0-3 right in the face as they have a Thursday Night Football matchup with the Bills next Thursday. To make matters worse the noise will be even louder from fans and media alike. Winning builds culture as much as coaches and captains, keep losing and the “players only meeting” will be all for not.

The Dolphins have no margin for error. They need to show up Sunday, play with urgency, and remind fans why this was supposed to be their time. If they fail, McDaniel and the entire leadership core could find themselves on the hottest of hot seats and Miami will once again be forced to hit reset on a franchise stuck in a 25-year cycle of disappointment.

Austin Dobbins – Sports Illustrated

Five Takeaways from the Miami Dolphins Embarrassing Week One Loss