The Miami Dolphins received one of many ugliest video games of the season, however their report doesn’t care how they do it. All of them depend the identical. Although that’s true with a workforce’s report, it’s the alternative amongst the minds of media members who vote in energy rankings.
Similar to the AP ballot in school soccer, the way you win and the way a lot you win by issues. With the just about unwatchable 15-10 win over the New England Patriots, it left the media extra assured that the Dolphins are a backside 5-10 workforce with out quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
I might advise Dolphins followers to simply be glad that the workforce left Sunday with a win and relaxation up by the bye week in time for one more massive recreation for them. It will not be do or die in two weeks in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts, however the distinction between 3-3 and 2-4 with Tagovailoa coming again could possibly be huge by way of a packed playoff image.
Even when it was an unsightly win, a win is a win. The Dolphins are actually 2-3 and heading into the bye. The media might not consider in them, however they’re surviving the storm till they get the ship’s captain again.
Let’s see how the media ranks the Dolphins in the previous few weeks of the Tyler Huntley expertise.
NFL
Ranked #28 – Beforehand ranked #30 (+2)
“The excellent news is that the Dolphins discovered methods to generate some offense with their third-string quarterback in Sunday’s win over New England, even when the passing recreation had loads of dud performs and early penalties set them again. Regardless of De’Von Achane being dominated out within the first quarter, Miami discovered a solution to run for 193 yards, largely due to rookie Jaylen Wright and veteran Raheem Mostert. Wright had his breakout recreation, dashing for 86 yards (+21 yards over anticipated, per Subsequent Gen Stats), with most of his manufacturing coming after halftime. He had runs of 12, 17 and 16 yards and confirmed spectacular physicality within the course of. Miami’s protection additionally did what it needed to do after a sluggish begin. That stated, what’s going on with the particular groups? A blocked punt, a missed field-goal attempt plus a penalty previous to an aborted FG try all got here within the first half. Towards a greater workforce, the Dolphins most likely lose.”
ESPN
Ranked #23 – Beforehand ranked #23 (<—>)
“Hill began the season with a classic seven-catch, 130-yard efficiency in Week 1, however he recorded 16 catches for 156 yards over the Dolphins’ subsequent 4 video games. With beginning quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve and fledgling rapport with present starter Tyler Huntley, Hill is on tempo for 972 receiving yards, his fewest as a Dolphin. He’s presently WR26 in normal leagues regardless of being drafted as WR3 — though his 69 receiving yards in Week 5 had been his most since Week 1. Hill has obtained 25% of his workforce’s targets this season, which could not get again to the 30% vary he’s used to till Tagovailoa returns.” — Marcel Louis-Jacques
CBS Sports activities
Ranked #28 – Beforehand ranked #28 (<—>)
“Discovering a solution to win an unsightly recreation at New England was massive for this group. They’re nonetheless approach too restricted on offense.”
Bleacher Report
Ranked #27 – Beforehand ranked #26 (-1)
“One ugly win over a good uglier New England Patriots workforce shouldn’t be going to avoid wasting Miami’s season. And the Dolphins made each effort to lose Sunday, whether or not it was a blocked punt, two missed subject targets, a foul snap that knocked Miami out of field-goal vary or two turnovers and 6 penalties.
Towards even a mean workforce, that might have gotten Miami beat. However to their credit score, the Dolphins gutted it out—and now they are going to hit the bye week only one again of the Buffalo Payments within the AFC East.
Fullback Alec Ingold, who scored Miami’s solely landing, instructed reporters after the win that the Dolphins are effectively conscious that Sunday’s spotty effort received’t be adequate two weeks from now in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts.
“A number of the issues that we’re taking pictures ourselves within the foot with proper now, it was a full workforce win to have the ability to overcome these points,” Ingold stated. “We all know that that’s not acceptable. It’s lower than the usual. Everyone knows we have to tighten that up.”
The Dolphins obtained the bottom recreation going Sunday, and head coach Mike McDaniel instructed the media that could possibly be a recipe for fulfillment shifting ahead.
“I feel we had been upset with what we’ve produced on the bottom simply typically,” McDaniel stated postgame. “So, it was an enormous level of emphasis to essentially hone in on our fundamentals and the approach. To the credit score of the offensive line, they punched some holes. I feel the working again room was able to put the workforce on their again, so to talk.”
The query now’s whether or not De’Von Achane (who suffered a concussion Sunday) shall be on the market in Week 7 and (extra importantly) whether or not Tua Tagovailoa shall be below heart when he’s eligible to return from injured reserve in Week 8.
“The Dolphins’ passing recreation is proscribed with out quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, however whereas he’s out, the offense could possibly muster up sufficient manufacturing on the bottom to eke out wins,” Moton stated. “Miami rushed for 193 yards in a victory over New England. Rookie Jaylen Wright led the way in which with 86 yards. With an growing older Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane (concussion) banged up, Wright would be the key to the Dolphins’ floor assault. Nonetheless, Miami is a workforce that must be ranked exterior the highest 20 till Tagovailoa returns to motion.””
Sports activities Illustrated
Ranked #26 – Beforehand ranked #27(+1)
“The ugly win over the New England Patriots comes at a really perfect time. Relying on the results of Monday’s Payments-Jets tilt, the Dolphins may stroll again into the AFC East in a really perfect place to chip away on the division chief with a more healthy roster. Odell Beckham Jr. has returned and, whereas we don’t know something about Tua Tagovailoa but, may the bye week give Mike McDaniel an opportunity to search out himself a greater QB choice? Veterans like Joe Flacco and Andy Dalton are cooking proper now. I’ll guess Ryan Tannehill has one thing left within the tank and has been profitable in an offense with comparable roots.”
Fox Sports activities
Ranked #31 – Beforehand ranked #31 (<—>)
“Apologies to Dolphins followers, however I’m simply not moved by Sunday’s win in Foxborough. This simply isn’t a watchable workforce proper now. However on the brilliant facet, even an unsightly win helps maintain the season afloat till Tua Tagovailoa can return.”
Like Mike Singletary says, “They had been who we thought they had been,” and the media isn’t any exception. With ugly wins comes no confidence, particularly in opposition to a worst workforce.
With all of the struggles and accidents the Dolphins have already endured within the first quarter of the season, they’re only one win away in opposition to an below .500 workforce from being 3-3 simply in time for a Tua Tagovailoa return.
As soon as he’s again, the Dolphins are primed to shoot again up the rankings. They solely have to survive till then.
Tell us within the feedback the place you assume the Miami Dolphins must be ranked within the NFL energy rankings.
