The Dolphins will have this weekend to relax, recuperate and re-focus on being a more consistently better team. After a roller coast start to the season, the Dolphins luckily, and surprisingly find themselves tied for first in the AFC East, and most football gambling fans would say that this division is wide open for the taking. The Patriots have displayed quite a few chinks in their Armor, and this is the season where the Dolphins can make a long term statement that they are ready to be the new Kings in the AFC East.
The Dolphins biggest need going into the bye week is to be able to learn to play with more consistency. The entire team has flashed the potential to be a playoff team, however the entire team has flashed the potential to be a below .500 football team. The Dolphins need to find an identity. Amazingly the most consistent aspect of the Dolphins season so far has been their running game. The running game is surprisingly ranked 5th overall in the league averaging 142.3 yards per game, and this is without their stud running back Knowshon Moreno. Kudos must also be given to the revamped, and improved play of the offensive line, which also has been without its best player in Mike Pouncey. This should make any phins fan excited about the potential running attack of the Dolphins when these two key players return from injury.
However, the rest of the team has not fared as well in the consistency department. Ryan Tannehill and the passing game, has yet to provide any big down the field plays. In addition Tannehill has struggled with accuracy and his receivers have struggled with catching the ball. Tannehill and his pass catchers need to get on the same page, because the potential is there for this offense to light up the score board. In a total of 4 games so far this season the offense has scored more than 30 points in 2 of the games, which is already double the amount of times of last season, and there is still three quarters of the season left to play. However, in the other two games the offense has twice been unable to score more than 16 points. If that trend continues, then the result is most likely an 8-8 non-playoff record.
The Defense has been equally inconsistent allowing over 28 points two times and under 21 points two times. A huge reason for the inconsistency has been the Dolphins ability to stop the run and get off the field on third down. To me it looks like a focus problem, because at times they play very aggressive and get into the opponents backfield to disrupt plays, but other times they seem lost and are playing on their heels. The pieces are there to have a stout stingy defense, but the puzzle has not been figured out by the coaches or the players as of yet.
Lastly the special teams has been down right erratic. Some games they are blocking punts and having 74 yard returns, and other games they are allowing kick off returns for touchdowns, and fumbling and turning the ball over during punt returns. The special teams unit needs to tighten up as a whole.
The talent and ability is there for this team, but it is up to them and the coaching staff to find a way to consistently play at a higher level. If they can find a way to do that, then the door is open and waiting for a new AFC East Champion.
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