The Dolphins Defense is Death by a Thousand Papercuts

Originally posted on Dolphins Talk | By Mike Oliva | Last updated Oct 14, 2025 8:47 AM ET

The Dolphins’ Defense is Death by a Thousand Papercuts

This isn’t exactly breaking news, but the Miami Dolphins’ defense isn’t good in 2025.

In fact, it is the worst in the entire league by many metrics.

Now, heading into the season, most, myself included, thought it would be the secondary that would hamper this defense and team and be the reason for its downfall.

Through 6 games, while the secondary isn’t good by any means, the front 7, run defense, and pass rush are actually playing worse than the secondary.

Some are blaming Chris Grier for the roster construction of this defense.

Some are blaming defensive line coach Austin Clark.

Some are blaming defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.

Some are blaming the players themselves on defense.

The bottom line is that they are all to blame.

And watching them play each week is very painful.

Yes, at times, this defense gives up big plays and looks like it couldn’t stop a lower-tier FBS team.

But in reality, this Dolphins defense is death by a 1,000 papercuts.

There are few big plays or impactful plays made by this Dolphins’ defense.

It’s a constant flow of missed tackles, penalties, missed sacks, blown assignments, another penalty, poor technique…etc

Opponents often employ long drives, going 7, 8, or 9 plays, where the Dolphins’ defense is easily pushed back, resulting in a touchdown or field goal for the opponent.

You feel helpless and hopeless watching the Dolphins’ defense this year.

You know what’s coming, and you know Miami’s defense can’t stop it.

Even when Tua Tagovailoa leads a late touchdown drive to give Miami the lead, and leaves the opponent only 41 seconds or so to make a comeback, well, the Dolphins’ defense can’t even protect a lead for 40 seconds.

And it wasn’t some amazing 70-yard touchdown pass from Justin Herbert to whoever, know it was a missed sack where the defender doesn’t wrap up the quarterback, a short pass with a missed tackle…papercut, papercut, papercut.

The little things.

The Dolphins’ defense doesn’t do the little things…at all this season.

It’s death by 1,000 papercuts, and right now those papercuts are causing Miami to bleed out.

This article first appeared on Dolphins Talk and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: