MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was jammin’ within the postgame locker room Sunday. He wore a giant smile and danced a bit as “By Your Aspect” by Florida hip-hop artist Rod Wave was taking part in on his transportable speaker.
He was glad. I appreciated seeing that.
Accordingly, I appreciated what I noticed within the Dolphins’ locker room Sunday after their 34-19 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
Gamers had been glad however subdued.
And that’s just about the outline of how I really feel in regards to the Dolphins offense the previous few weeks.
I’m glad that the offense has scored 27, 27, 23 and 34 factors within the 4 video games since Tua has returned from his concussion.
The offense, which has been severely restricted because of the two-high security schemes defenses have used to close down the large passing performs, has advanced from the one-dimensional big-play crew we’ve seen the previous two years to a gaggle that may make the most of a floor recreation in addition to a managed passing recreation.
However I tremendously doubt that this offense is nice sufficient to defeat Inexperienced Bay, Houston or San Francisco — the three largest opponents remaining.
In spite of everything, this offense wasn’t adequate to beat Buffalo in both recreation this yr.
Recall that final yr the Dolphins had been 1-6 in opposition to playoff groups and the offense averaged simply 16 factors per recreation.
Past that, the Dolphins’ run recreation that had compiled 5 consecutive 100-yard dashing efforts this season has nosedived with fullback Alec Ingold being sidelined with a calf damage. The Dolphins have rushed for 67 and 82 yards the previous two video games.
And huge receivers Tyreek Hill (seven receptions for 61 yards, one landing in opposition to the Raiders) and Jaylen Waddle (two receptions, 37 yards) have virtually been non-factors all season.
Tight finish Jonnu Smith (six receptions, 101 yards, two touchdowns) is the brand new star of the offense.
Even operating again De’Von Achane (17 carries, 73 yards, one landing; 4 receptions, 32 yards), who has been extremely efficient, doesn’t appear as electrical as he was final yr.
This current spate of 12- and 14-play landing drives reveals a distinct aspect of this quick-strike, big-play offense that didn’t exist beforehand underneath coach Mike McDaniel.
That’s a very good factor.
However I nonetheless don’t suppose it’s adequate.
I nonetheless have to see extra.
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I have to see extra huge performs (I do know Smith had the 57-yard landing and Achane had a 30-yard run and a 32-yard reception). I have to see cleaner execution (Tua once more had a fumble). I have to see extra consistency.
Simply as final yr, and two years in the past, I don’t belief the Dolphins offense to win a recreation in opposition to a high quality opponent, and I’m referring particularly to the Packers (Nov. 28 highway recreation), Texans (Dec. 15 highway recreation) and San Francisco (Dec. 22 house recreation).
Left deal with Terron Armstead tells me it doesn’t matter that the 2024 Dolphins offense isn’t as harmful because the 2023 or 2022 offenses.
“We’re not attempting to be like a duplicate of something earlier,” he stated. “We’re attempting to ascertain this yr’s identification. We’re trying to assault in numerous methods — run recreation, cross recreation, horizontally, vertically. We’re simply attempting to be a whole offense.”
I notice I’m getting in direct distinction to Dolphins gamers and followers with my rivalry.
I requested operating again Raheem Mostert if the Dolphins offense, which was No. 1 within the league final season and No. 6 in 2022, is again.
“It appears to be like prefer it, yeah,” he stated. “I imply, we did a hell of a job. We put some good factors on the board. Yeah, it appears to be like like we’re again in our groove.”
I’d be thrilled if the Dolphins offense was again to its earlier McDaniel ranges.
This 2024 offense is boring.
It’s becoming that former Dolphins coach Joe Philbin was on the opposing sideline Sunday. It appears to be like as if the Dolphins are operating his offense these days.
This Dolphins offense doesn’t have the big-play pleasure of earlier McDaniel offenses.
It’s not enjoyable, it’s not thrilling, and it’s not profitable.
The Dolphins common a glitzy 28 factors per recreation since Tua’s return, however they’re simply 2-2 in these 4 video games.
I don’t need to be “that man,” the one who poo-poos the win over the Raiders.
So I received’t do this.
That victory, which everybody assumed would occur, simply as everybody assumes the Dolphins will defeat New England subsequent week, stands by itself benefit.
Once we have a look at the large image, nevertheless, I feel this offense will nonetheless battle in opposition to high quality opponents — I’m speaking about Inexperienced Bay, Houston and San Francisco, specifically — as a result of its high gamers don’t shine underneath the intense lights of the NFL’s largest video games.
Verify the numbers. Tua. Tyreek. Waddle. Mostert.
None of them have huge video games within the largest video games.
That’ll have to vary if this offense goes to thrive in opposition to Inexperienced Bay, Houston and San Francisco.
Within the meantime, the Dolphins will use subsequent week’s New England recreation to place the ending touches on the issues it must get achieved offensively.
Will this offense ever get again to its harmful, high-scoring methods of yesteryear? Will this offense be adequate to hold the Dolphins to wins within the largest video games on the schedule?
“We’re nonetheless working, man,” Waddle stated. “We’re nonetheless working. We’ve acquired an extended season forward, however we’re on course.”
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