The Miami Dolphins may have escaped with a 15-10 victory over the New England Patriots in Week 5, but let’s be honest, it was far from a confidence booster. This was their first game without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, and the offense sputtered more often than not. Sure, they pulled out the win, but the Dolphins’ performance was riddled with sloppy play in all phases of the game that nearly cost them against a beatable Patriots team.
Offensive Woes and Special Teams Disasters
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—the passing game, or lack thereof. Tyreek Hill, the speedster they call “Cheetah,” was more like a house cat in this one.
He managed 69 receiving yards, his highest total since Tagovailoa’s injury, but it was his fourth straight game under the century mark. It’s clear that the absence of a consistent passing threat is hindering the entire offense.
And Miami’s special teams? They endured a disastrous first half before evening out after halftime.
We’re talking about two missed field goals and a blocked punt, blunders that directly cost them six points. You can’t expect to win consistently in this league when you’re leaving points on the field like that, especially against a team like the Patriots who thrive on capitalizing on mistakes.
A Glimmer of Hope: The Run Game
The Dolphins scored 15 points in their win against the Patriots. That may not seem impressive, but incredibly, it marked their second-highest point total of the season.
The good news for Miami is that they found a way to win against New England, and it might be a long-term formula the Dolphins can use to spark their stagnant offense. That glimmer of hope comes in the form of their rushing attack.
The Dolphins ran for 193 yards during their game against the Patriots despite losing De’Von Achane to a concussion early in the contest. Six different players contributed to that rushing total, showcasing a level of depth that could be crucial moving forward.
Can the Run Game Carry the Dolphins?
While it’s unrealistic to expect the Dolphins to become a run-first team overnight, their Week 5 performance showed that they can have success on the ground even without their starting quarterback. If Miami can stay creative with its running game and rely on several different contributors, that could allow them to more consistently generate yardage and win the time of possession battle.
It’s a long season, and the Dolphins are facing an uphill battle without Tagovailoa. But if they can clean up the special teams miscues, find a rhythm in the passing game, and continue to pound the rock on the ground, they might just be able to weather the storm and remain competitive.