Dolphins Hit Rock Bottom in Latest NFL Power Rankings

The Miami Dolphins are quickly making a case for being the NFL’s worst team.

After Sunday’s 31-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami dropped to 0-5, leaving it among three winless teams entering Week 6.

The Dolphins share the league’s worst record with the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers. But considering their struggles in all three phases of the game, it’s difficult to argue that Miami isn’t the NFL’s worst team through five weeks.

With the Dolphins entering an early bye week, let’s take a look at where they stand in this week’s power rankings from several publications.

CBS Sports: No. 32

“They stay in their spot as they lost to the Bengals. The question is will they win a game.” — Pete Prisco

Fox Sports: No. 31

“The Dolphins head into their bye week 0-5, which is exactly what everyone expected. Head coach Jeff Hafley’s defense has been OK, but they’re one of the worst offenses in the league and there isn’t a quarterback anywhere playing as poorly as Malik Willis.

“Bright sides? There are a few. RB Ollie Gordon has 188 yards and two TDs in two starts since they lost De’Von Achane. And on Sunday, they scored a season-high 24 points and out-gained the explosive Bengals 331 yards to 307. Want another one? When they come out of the bye, they get the Jets twice in a month span, which might be their only two chances for wins this season.” — Ralph Vacchiano

Yahoo Sports: No. 32

“The good news for the Dolphins is they won’t lose in Week 6. They have a bye. Good for the Dolphins to lose by only seven points against the Bengals on Sunday, but the true story of the game was a 28-10 deficit after three quarters. The Dolphins have trailed by at least 14 points in four of five games.” — Frank Schwab

ESPN: No. 32

“It took the Dolphins until the first snap of their fourth game of the season to record their first sack; they have the NFL’s second-worst sack rate. Their issues pressuring opposing quarterbacks has compounded into easy completions — Miami ranks last in both opposing QBR and completion percentage. Going into the season, the Dolphins were thin at pass rusher behind Chop Robinson, but the 2024 first-round pick also started slow. With one of the NFL’s youngest secondaries, Miami will continue to struggle against the pass until it can impact opposing QBs more consistently.” — Marcel Louis-Jacques

Three of the four publications rank Miami dead last, while Fox Sports places the Dolphins at No. 31. The consensus is clear: Miami has a long way to go before it can be considered competitive.

The bye week offers the Dolphins a chance to regroup, but the problems go far beyond a rough start. With a struggling offense, mounting questions about Willis and a defense that has struggled to consistently pressure opposing quarterbacks, Miami has plenty of work to do.

The Dolphins may get a couple of opportunities to turn things around when they face the New York Jets twice in the coming weeks. Until then, they’ll have to live with an ugly reality: Five games into the season, the Dolphins are already playing like the NFL’s worst team — and they have a lot to prove before that perception changes.