You add an elite receiver, you upgrade your head coach, and boom: two playoff appearances. However, in two seasons, two elite October football teams have watched their hopes wash away. Welcome back to another edition of ‘The Super Bowl Race In The Perspective of Chase’, and today we will preview the Miami Dolphins 2024 season.
2023 Season
Expectations were high for Miami in 2023. They had made the playoffs the season before with an elite offense despite missing starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa for a good portion of the season. And just like they did in 2022, the Dolphins got off to an exceptional start. Through four weeks, many viewed Miami as the top team in the National Football League. Tyreek Hill was a complete difference maker with nearly 1800 receiving yards, and Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane excelled in the rushing attack. But time after time, they continued to lose when playing high level competition. Though they were in the race for the AFC’s number one seed with two weeks remaining, a lot of people knew Miami would be a quick out in the postseason. And to no surprise, the cold weather conditions coupled with Patrick Mahomes on the other side was too much for the Dolphins to handle, falling in round one.
Offseason Additions and Losses
The Dolphins quietly had one of the most productive offseasons. Their huge was loss was Christian Wilkins, and that’s obviously a huge loss. The 28 year old defensive tackle had a career season last season, finishing with nine sacks and 23 QB hits, as he was Miami’s top pass rusher. With him gone though, it opens the door for first round pick Chop Robinson to have a stellar season. But they also made some incredible signings, one of which was stealing Jordan Poyer from the division rival Bills. He’s one of the best safeties in football, and now he’s paired with Jalen Ramsey in Miami’s secondary. They also added Jordyn Brooks, one of the most underrated moves. Brooks has consistently been one of the league’s top linebackers, and that included leading the league in solo tackles back in 2021. Miami also added Shaq Barrett, adding to the pass rush. They also brought in guys like OBJ and other minor contributors. The Dolphins cleaned up this offseason.
X-Factor: De’Von Achane
I’ve now made this take multiple times: De’Von Achane will be the second best running back in football this season to only Christian McCaffrey if he can stay healthy. That is the key factor though: health. He only played eleven games that season. But what makes me so intrigued is that in those eleven games, he totaled close to 1,000 yards all-purpose yards and eleven scrimmage touchdowns. Those numbers can award you star-status in a 17 game season. He did it in eleven games. Just watch the way he moves. His quickness, patience, acceleration, explosiveness–he’s incredible. I think he is the best pure runner in the league…and he adds value in the receiving game. Last year Raheem Mostert took up most of the touches, leading the league in touchdowns. But when Achane played, he got those targets. Because Miami knows how good he is. If he gets those opportunities, Miami will have the best rushing attack in the league, and Achane will make him one of the league’s top weapons.
Reason for Concern: December Collapses
There’s an old saying that goes around: the Dolphins collapse is like Hanukkah. You never know when it is exactly, but you know it’s in December. And as funny as it is, it’s also true. Miami has a tendency for blowing great opportunities with great teams down the stretch of the season. At one point of another over each of the last two seasons, Miami has been considered the top team in. the league. No doubt. But in those years, they’ve finished with nine and eleven wins respectively. In fact, the Dolphins have a 3-6 record over the past two December’s. You can attribute this success, or lack there of, to the fact that Miami is used to warm weather, and it’s harder for them to play in the cold down the stretch of the season. See: Wild Card against Kansas City. If there is a team that has just as much offensive and frankly defensive talent as anyone in the league and can’t manage to win a playoff game, that’s concerning.
Reason for Promise: The Offense is Loaded
Because of the Dolphins letdowns down the stretch, many people have forgotten how talented this ball club actually is. Specifically on the offensive side of the ball. While he may not be worth the extension he was given, Tua Tagovailoa is still a pretty good quarterback. His arm talent is incredible, he’s somewhat mobile and is pretty accurate. I question his ability to make plays in tough situations, leading to a lack of postseason success, but he’s still better than what most team’s have to offer. Tyreek Hill just had close to 1800 yards receiving, and he did it in while missing a game last year. There’s a reason why the players rated him the game’s best player. We talked about Achane and Mostert as the 1/2 punch in the rushing attack, but Jaylen Waddle is another incredible weapon. His speed makes him a great deep threat next to Tyreek. That’s incredible talent. And if the Dolphins will exceed expectations, it will be because they have that talent.
Prediction
I can’t reasonably predict Miami will do much in the playoffs. And that’s if they get there. The AFC is loaded this season. You can have a winning record and still finish towards the bottom of the conference depending on how things play out. The Bills and Jets are both major contenders for the division title, and it will be hard to split with those teams. Overall, I think Miami will make the playoffs, but I don’t see anything changing once they get there.
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