Dolphins Show Signs of Progress Despite Loss to Chiefs

Dolphins Show Signs of Progress Despite Loss to Chiefs

As crazy as it sounds, Miami Dolphins fans should feel encouraged after the team’s latest loss.

Yes, the Dolphins are 0-3, and they’ve lost their third straight game by double digits to start the season. Miami is the only team in the NFL that has yet to lead a game this season, and it’s clear that they’re the NFL’s worst team.

That said, you’re seeing steady improvement since the first week of the season, which is something you look for from a team with the youngest roster in the NFL. Furthermore, the Dolphins have at least 12 rookies on their roster.

They were competitive in the 24-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, a score that is highly misleading. Miami was within striking distance for much of the game, trailing 17-10 with under six minutes remaining before a failed fourth-down conversion from the Dolphins’ 48-yard line.

In a season like this, you look for small victories and progress. The Dolphins have the largest dead cap hit in NFL history this season, and they’re fielding a roster full of players who wouldn’t normally be on an NFL roster.

They were without their top two running backs, De’Von Achane and Ollie Gordon II, by the end of the game, and they entered the matchup without Caleb Douglas, one of their leading receivers. The Dolphins managed to push the Chiefs, an AFC contender less than two years removed from a Super Bowl appearance.

The team continues to push and compete under first-year head coach Jeff Hafley, despite being overmatched on a week-to-week basis from a talent standpoint. Jacob Rodriguez continues to make his case as the potential Defensive Rookie of the Year, posting six tackles, three tackles for loss, and an interception. Rodriguez is currently the betting favorite for the award as he leads the team in tackles and ranks within the top 10 in the NFL.

And while there is room for improvement and more plays from Malik Willis, he’s not losing games for the Dolphins and he’s keeping the turnovers to a minimum with just two interceptions this season. He did have a costly interception against the Chiefs on a fourth-down conversion that sealed the game, but he’s playing decently considering he has the worst supporting cast in the league that is already extremely banged up through the first three weeks of the season.

In games against the Chiefs and the Las Vegas Raiders, the Dolphins remained within striking distance deep into the second half of each game. This team isn’t getting blown out regularly, and they’re staying competitive despite the odds stacked against them.

It might be difficult for this Dolphins team to win games this season, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if they were to win just one game this year.

But the fact is, they’re getting better as the season progresses, and they’re starting to develop young stars — Jacob Rodriguez and Douglas — early in the season. They’re also fighting and competing hard on the toughest schedule in the NFL, with all three opponents undefeated at 9-0.

The Dolphins aren’t as bad as we once thought. Expect them to stay competitive even when they lose most of their games.

This season is about finding the right pieces to develop and retain moving forward. The Dolphins are starting to find those future stars while remaining competitive against some of the NFL’s best teams.