Photo byCésar HernándezonUnsplash

The Miami Dolphins season averted expectations after starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa went down with a concussion in week two. Since his placement on injured reserve, the Miami Dolphins have managed to keep their playoff hopes alive, entering their week six bye week with a 2-3 record. As Tua Tagovailoa’s return is reportedly on the table in just a couple of weeks, the Dolphins have key issues to address if they want to contend in the AFC.

Miami Dolphins Rushing Offense Is Lacking

The Miami Dolphins rushing offense was a key contributor to a successful 2o23 regular season campaign, with the team being the only ones with a rushing duo of over 1,800 yards. That duo of Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane have suffered a litany of injuries to start the 24′ season, leaving them with only a combined 81 attempts for 272 yards through the Miami Dolphins’ first five games. Head coach Mike McDaniel turned to rookie Jaylen Wright and veteran Jeff Wilson Jr to pick up the snaps.

Through five games, the Miami Dolphins are in the bottom nine teams in regards to yards on the ground and even lower in yards per carry. The fourth-round pick out of the University of Tennessee, Jaylen Wright, has been a solid boost to the otherwise unproductive run game, averaging 4.8 yards per carry on his 29 rushes. With the hopefully permanent return of Mostert, the emergence of Wright, and the potentially quick return of De’Von Achane, the Miami Dolphins look to turn around their run game sooner rather than later.

The Defense Has Not Created Many Turnovers

The Miami Dolphins’ defense has held up during many key moments throughout the beginning of the 2024 season. However, they have failed to create turnovers to flip momentum and put the offense in advantageous positions. The South Beach defense has only caused four turnovers; meanwhile, the offense has given the ball up six times. This makes them among the least productive turnover-creation units in football.

In the 23-24 NFL season, the Miami Dolphins ended with only a +2 turnover differential, although the defense created 27 turnovers in those 17 games. In the offseason, the Fins saw the departure of safety Brandon Jones, Jerome Baker, and Andrew Van Ginkel, who accounted for five of the teams’ 15 interceptions. Star edge rusher Bradley Chubb led the team with six forced fumbles and disrupted the quarterback, yet he has not been on the field in 2024 due to injury.

Only one member of the Dolphins secondary, safety Kader Kohou, has recorded an interception through five games. Until playmakers emerge in key moments, the Dolphins may need to look to the trade block for ball magnets.

Final Thoughts

The Miami Dolphins’ 2024 season is far from over with the potential return of Tua Tagovailoa in the coming weeks, currently sitting just one game behind the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East. If the Fins can work to right their wrongs before Tua returns, whether it be by trades or gameplan with existing players, they will be in a good position to be a playoff team come December.

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Article originally written by Tye Ellison.