The most erudite in the room may remember… In a galaxy far, far away, the Miami Dolphins put on week after week the most explosive offensive spectacle in the NFL. In the past, they had even scored 70 points in a match and seemed set for glory. It was a lifetime ago, maybe two.
After checking, these moments of great rejoicing and wildest hopes for the Dolphins were not that long ago. It was only two years ago, in fact.
This team has taken such a nosedive since then that we could easily forget that, on September 24, 2023, the Dolphins put 70 points in the Broncos’ noses.
The Dolphins, in Year 2 of the Mike McDaniel era, were smoking hot with Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane. Eight times that season, they scored at least 30 points.
All these beautiful people are still present, but nothing clicks anymore.
Broken-down
Tagovailoa saw his contract inflated big time when he signed a four-year, $212 million extension last summer.
Next season his 56.4 million salary will be guaranteed, but it becomes clear that after that the Dolphins will make another call. It will be a long time until then and he could even become a heavily compensated reservist.
Hill is in the infirmary after a devastating injury from which he may not recover, having shown alarming signs of slowing down before falling.
Waddle saw his average yards per reception drop from 18.1 in 2022 to 13.5 this season.
Achane plays relatively well in a context where the Dolphins (1-6) lose repeatedly, but he has never shown that he can take on real big responsibilities.
And McDaniel in all this mess? Each day that passes and at the end of which he still clings to his job is a providential blessing.
Mediocre defense
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The offense, of which McDaniel is the mastermind, has eclipsed the 30-point mark only three times in 24 games since last season. It’s sad, but the worst part is that it’s nothing compared to the heartbreaking performance of the defense.
The Dolphins give up 29.3 points per game, which is 29the rank. Their opponents gain an average of 159.3 rushing yards per game against them, so it’s an open bar.
Considering the talent on the defensive line with Jaelan Phillips, Zach Sieler, Bradley Chubb and first-round pick Kenneth Grant, it’s unacceptable to be so slack.
Moreover, it is time for the coach who will replace McDaniel next season to bring about a drastic change in culture. For too long, it hasn’t been intimidating to face the Dolphins. Their approach focusing on finesse and speed loses all meaning in December, when key matches are played outside the comfort of Miami. Under McDaniel, the Dolphins went 7-12 in December and January.
Tagovailoa, as a quarterback, did try to denounce the behavior of players who do not have the team’s cause at heart, but he did so in an extremely clumsy manner by publicly throwing his teammates under the bus.
The real leadership should come from McDaniel and him. However, it seems more and more obvious that they do not have the respect of the locker room. Many veterans will become tradeable material in preparation for the November 4 trade deadline.
Thursday evening duel
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As for the Thursday night game, both the Chargers (4-3) and the Vikings (3-3) are looking for each other.
The Chargers started the season well with three wins, but have been shaky since. Justin Herbert has had six interceptions in his last five games and the offense has committed eight turnovers in that stretch. This is a dangerous proposition against the Vikings defense.
The “Mauves” attack, still led by Carson Wentz, will do better than a single touchdown in six appearances in the paying zone like Sunday against the Eagles.
What about home-field advantage for the Chargers? Their 2-4 record in their last six games in Los Angeles says it all.
MY PREDICTION FOR THURSDAY
Vikings 24 Chargers 22
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