Buffalo, N.Y. (WGR Sports Radio 550) - What kind of a season has it been for the Miami Dolphins? This was an assessment of the 2-7 Dolphins in a recent article in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "This team is a disaster. This season is a disaster. The win now mentality that took over in 2022 failed. And the win with youth and draftees movement that started this season is failing. A much needed rebuild is coming in 2026."
It was less than two years ago the Dolphins were playing a home game with a chance to clinch the AFC East division. I'm sure you remember since they were facing the Bills in that week 18 matchup in the 2023 season. Miami was 11-5 and the Bills were 10-6. The Bills won that game. Miami still made the playoffs but lost in the wild card round at Kansas City and the Dolphins have gone downhill ever since.
There are a number of reasons for this season's complete collapse which led to the firing of General Manager Chris Grier last week. Injuries have been a key factor, especially on offense. Starting right tackle Austin Jackson and right guard James Daniels have both been out since week one making an already questionable line even shakier. Miami is also starting a rookie at left guard and Jonah Savalinaea has struggled along the way.
The big injury occurred in week four when Miami lost their big play wide receiver Tyreek Hill for the season. They still have another playmaker at the position in Jaylen Waddle but Hill demanded constant attention from opposing defenses and at times double teams. Tight end Darren Waller came out of retirement and was playing well before he went down in his fourth game.
On defense, the secondary took a major hit when arguably the best cornerback, Kader Kohou, was injured in training camp. Miami also lost cornerback Storm Duck. This would help explain why the defense has just one interception in nine games.
There is only so much Head Coach and play caller Mike McDaniel can do. His offense has been bad and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is part of the problem. He's thrown a league leading 11 interceptions and there's speculation in South Florida that a bad game against the Bills on Sunday could lead to his benching. Tagovailoa is averaging only 197 passing yards a game.
De'Von Achane is their only threat in the backfield. He leads the team in rushing and is averaging 5.0 yards per carry. The next best back is Ollie Gordon but he's 500 yards behind Achane. By the way, Achane is one of the top threats in the passing game too. He leads the team in catches and is second in receiving yards.
With Hill out, Waddle is now the go to guy in the wide receiver group. He is just behind Achane in receptions but he does lead the team in receiving yards with 586 for a healthy average of 14.3 yards per catch. Malik Washington is next among receivers with 28 receptions for 183 yards. The top tight end is Tanner Conner (9 for 91).
Miami's offense is in the bottom ten in league rankings in a number of statistical categories including points per game (26th), total yards per game (27th), rushing yards (25th). passing yards (23rd) and first downs (30th).
Based on the personnel in the front seven, you can definitely make a case that the Dolphins defense has underachieved. That front seven includes the likes of Zach Sieler, Bradley Chubb, Chop Robinson and rookie Kenneth Grant, a first round pick. But Miami's D is tied for 24th in points per game. They are ranked 30th against the run (hello James Cook!!), 25th on third down, 28th in passing average and 30th in percentage of passes intercepted. Miami has given up 30 or more points in four of their nine games. Opponents have scored at least 27 points in seven of the nine. That is a problem when your offense is only averaging 20 points an outing.
Linebacker Jordyn Brooks is the exception. He leads the team in tackles and tackles for loss and has 2.5 sacks. Former Bill Tyrell Dodson has the most sacks with three. Jaelen Phillips also had three but was traded to Philadelphia last week so the Bills don't have to worry about him.
The lone interception by the defense belongs to safety Minkah Fitzpatrick but he is no longer making game changing plays. Former Bills cornerback Rasul Douglas is tied for the team lead in passes defended with five.
With Jason Sanders injured, Riley Patterson has been handling the place kicking duties and has done a good job. Patterson has connected on all 19 extra point attempts and is 13-15 on field goal attempts. But he only has one attempt of 50+ yards, which he missed.
The Bills punt coverage team needs to be ready to go because Miami is third in the league in returns thanks to Malik Washington. He's averaging 16 yards a return and has a 74 yard touchdown this season.
Bills notes:
- The Bills have beaten Miami in each of the last seven meetings and 14 of 15
- The Bills have won five of the last six games in South Florida
- Josh Allen is 14-2 against the Dolphins including playoffs.
- The Bills have scored 30 or more points in 12 of the 16 games with Allen at QB.
- James Cook is second in the NFL in rushing, behind Jonathan Taylor. Cook has played one fewer game due to the bye.
- Dalton Kincaid leads the Bills in receiving yards (411) and is on pace for 998. He is averaging a career best 15.2 yards per catch which is third best among NFL tight ends with at least 10 receptions.
- The Bills have scored 68 points in back to back wins over Carolina and Kansas City after managing only 34 in back to back losses to New England and Atlanta.
One other note that I found very interesting. If the Bills win on Sunday, the all time series with Miami will be all even at 62 wins apiece. That's pretty impressive when you take into account the fact that the Bills went the entire decade of the 1970's without beating the Dolphins (0-20). From 1966(Miami's inaugural season) through 1986 the Bills were 7-34 against the Dolphins. Since 1987 the Bills have gone 54-28 against this division rival.
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