Miami Dolphins Update

There is only one word that could possibly describe the Dolphin’s season thus far: unpredictable.

The Dolphins began their season hot, jumping off to a quick 3-0 record. However, that all changed during week four and five when the Dolphins lost to the Bengals after blowing a 17-0 lead, and then getting blown out by Tom Brady and the Patriots. The season got off to a great start, but things started to look like the same old Dolphins as the season progressed.

Miami went into week three facing the formidable Chicago Bears, led by star defensive tackle Khalil Mack. The Bears came into week three as heavy nine point favorites, especially considering that the Dolphins were without their starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill. That meant that Brock Osweiler would get his first start as a Dolphin against one of the best defenses in the league. Most ESPN broadcasters saw this as an easy win for the Bears- with the exception of Dolphins fans.

Brock Osweiler torched a strong Bears defense with a long and well executed first drive. After that, it was back and forth between both teams, coming down to an eventual overtime where the Dolphins had an opportunity to end the game on the Bears half yard line. However, in Dolphins fashion, starting running back Kenyan Drake fumbled allowing the Bears to drive back and have the opportunity of a 52 yard field goal. The Bears kicker missed and the Dolphins drove back and hit a game winning field goal as time expired to improve to 4-2.

This past week, we got back to the usual Dolphins. With a mix of poor play and being plagued by injuries, the Dolphins are deteriorating. The Detroit Lions, led by quarterback Matthew Stafford, defeated the Dolphins 32-21, dropping Miami to 4-3. Startin Dolphins wide receiver DeVante Parker remained out with injuries and Albert Wilson suffered what seems to be some kind of season ending injury, according to his agent Drew Rosenhaus.

Now the question becomes, where will the Dolphins go from here? According to ESPN, the Dolphins are ranked as the 15th best team in the league, with plenty of teams ahead of them with weaker records, such as the Jacksonville Jaguars and Philadelphia Eagles. ESPN only gives the Dolphins a 20.9 percent  to make the playoffs. The Dolphins have also had a tough time protecting their quarterback, as shown by Ryan Tannehill having to throw the ball 2.5 seconds after he hikes it, on average. These statistics are the second worst in the league.

As Dolphins receiver DeVante Parker continues to sit out and both lines are plagued by injuries, the record may not be an indicator of eventual success. The Dolphins are heading into a short week against the Houston Texans and will play star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins which will either put the Dolphins at even for the year, or two games over 500. Only time will tell and forever and always, PHINS UP!