The Miami Dolphins have been actually the group the NFL was speaking about heading into Week 3 — for all of the unsuitable causes. Coach Mike McDaniel was on the recent seat as Miami misplaced in a blowout trend to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1 and to the New England Patriots in Week 2. Two poor losses questioned the long run in Miami, sending the Dolphins right into a must-win scenario towards the Buffalo Payments.
Miami did not get the win in Buffalo, however the Dolphins put up a valiant effort earlier than falling to 0-3. The Payments improved to 3-0, having a commanding lead within the AFC East simply three weeks into the season.
The Payments have been examined, however they proved why they stands out as the group to beat within the NFL this season. The Dolphins did not appear like a catastrophe, in order that’s a win in Miami.
There have been loads of overreactions from the Payments’ win over the Dolphins. Which of them have been certainly overreactions and which of them held true?
Mike McDaniel ought to stay the coach of the Dolphins
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality
Regardless of how poor the Dolphins regarded the primary two weeks, and regardless of how scorching of a seat McDaniel is on — he should not be fired after the Dolphins fell to 0-3. The Dolphins performed arduous on a brief week, taking the Payments to the brink in Buffalo. That is no straightforward activity.
The Dolphins have been tied with the Payments within the fourth quarter, and had an opportunity to tie the sport for the third time with 3:06 left. Miami acquired all the way in which to the Buffalo 21-yard line earlier than Tua Tagovailoa’s interception basically sealed the win for the Payments, taking away a valiant efficiency by a Dolphins group that wanted one.
The 0-3 file appears to be like unhealthy, so does the 1-14 file towards groups that entered with a profitable file after Thursday’s loss to the Payments. The Dolphins nonetheless proved they have not given up on McDaniel but, so he purchased himself extra time as coach. However Miami cannot lose to the New York Jets at house on 10 days relaxation.
Tua Tagovailoa will not be the franchise QB in Miami
Overreaction or actuality: Overreaction
There’s a whole lot of criticism in relation to Tagovailoa, particularly given his concussion historical past. Even with all the top accidents, Tagovailoa has been a great quarterback in Miami — having an 10+ passer ranking in three straight years, whereas main the league in landing price (6.3%) and yards per try (8.9) in 2022, passing yards (4,624) in 2023, and completion price (72.9%) final yr.
This yr hasn’t been a fantastic begin for Tagovailoa, as his fourth-quarter interception with 3:06 left was his fourth in three video games this season. Tagovailoa threw for simply 146 yards and averaged simply 4.3 yards per try within the loss, numbers which were uncharacteristic for him. The 2 interceptions within the fourth quarter hasn’t helped Tagovailoa’s trigger both (80.2 ranking within the fourth quarter).
The Dolphins aren’t good, however they do not have an opportunity with out Tagovailoa. They may do higher, but it surely might get an entire lot worse as nicely. Is Tagovailoa elite? No, however he’s good.
Anthony Weaver will probably be fired earlier than Mike McDaniel
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality
How unhealthy has the Dolphins protection been via three video games? The Dolphins have allowed 30+ factors in all three video games, which included a season-low 31 in Thursday’s loss to the Payments. Their 32.3 factors per sport allowed is highest within the NFL, and the 370.3 yards per sport allowed are twenty fifth within the NFL.
The move protection continues to get picked on, has the Dolphins have allowed 8.9 yards per move try (twenty eighth in NFL) and the 128.9 passer ranking allowed is amongst the worst within the league (thirty first in NFL). They allowed the Payments to attain on 5 of seven possessions (not counting the top of half), and a kind of non-scoring possessions was a missed discipline aim.
Miami’s protection has considerably regressed from final yr. A part of that’s personnel, however Weaver hasn’t confirmed he can modify to what he has. The way in which this seaosn goes, his seat could also be hotter than McDaniel’s proper now.
Payments will not lose till November
Overreaction or actuality: Actuality
When will the Payments lose once more, in the event that they lose? After surviving Thursday’s win towards the Dolphins on a brief week, the schedule will get considerably simpler. The Payments get 10 days off earlier than internet hosting the Saints, then they host the Patriots in Week 5, and journey to face the Falcons in Week 6. These are all winnable video games.
After the bye week, the Payments journey to Carolina to face the Panthers. There is a reasonable probability the Payments are 7-0 by the top of October, heading into that November showdown with the Chiefs, who they often beat within the common season. Buffalo goes to be favored in loads of its video games, particularly after surviving Baltimore in Week 1.
It is arduous to see the Payments dropping a sport any time quickly, as their solely robust video games aren’t till late-November are each house — towards the Chiefs and Buccaneers. The Payments might very nicely be the final unbeaten group within the NFL.
