The Miami Dolphins are in Shambles

The Miami Dolphins are in Shambles

The seats of head coach Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier should be hotter than the temperature on the visiting team’s bench in early September in Hard Rock Stadium. The Dolphins have started the season out 1-4, with their lone win coming against the 0-5 New York Jets, perhaps the only team worse than Miami in the league.

The Dolphins have been challenging to watch, and after this week’s performance, I suspect many fans will be turning their televisions off and finding something more productive to do with their Sunday afternoons. 

After jumping out to a 17-0 lead over the previously hapless Carolina Panthers, the team displayed all of their worst tendencies. The defense allowed the Panthers’ offense to run the ball down their throats to the tune of 239 yards, 206 of which were gained by Rico Dowdle, who was filling in as a starter.

On the other side of the ball, Miami’s offensive line proved to be an area of concern, allowing three sacks and constant pressure. They couldn’t take advantage of their 17-point cushion because they could never get the running game going. De’Von Achane averaged 1.6 yards on his 10 carries, and Ollie Gordan finished the day with -2 yards on three carries. 

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had a decent game on paper, going 27-36 for 256 yards and three touchdowns. Including a go-ahead touchdown to Jaylen Waddle in the fourth quarter with just under five minutes left to make it 24-20.

However, the Panthers would march down the field and score a touchdown to make it 27-24 with around two minutes left. Tua would fail to get anything going on the ensuing drive, nearly throwing an interception and then taking a sack on third down. When you’re as highly paid as Tua is, that comes with the expectation that you step up when it matters most, something he has failed to do time and time again.