Miami defeated a winless Jets team last week.
What did they do against a 1-win Panthers team this week?
Wait.
We do know.
They lost.
The first offense without Tyreek was not without issues
The most interesting aspect of the Fins for this game was guaranteed to be how the offense operated without wizardly wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
Their initial drive started out well. They moved the ball consistently and continued converting 3rd downs (apparently coming into the game at 49%, which was good for 2nd in the NFL, which is also a stat that
I’d have never bet on the Dolphins to ever possess and one that they, of course, instantly ruined). Alas, after going downfield to the revitalized Darren Waller for 34 yards, the play calls went purely horizontal until a sack ended any chance for a touchdown.
Ol’ Riley Reliable still knocked his kick through, though. So that was nice.
Michael McDan’s [in]ability to adapt is the real story of the game and likely the rest of his probably truncated tenure in Miami.
Early on, it looked like he hadn’t really learned. As the game progressed, he did a better job of mixing up play calls, committing to the run, and pushing the ball downfield, particularly on 3rd downs. He got other pass catchers involved, even targeting tight ends like Julian Hill and Tanner Conner. They went so far as to convert a 4th and 5 quite handsomely.
Then, after going up 17-0, the offense began flailing around like a headless fish, just like we’re all accustomed to.
On one hand, the balance was great to see. On the other, there were a lot of plays with pre-snap motion and pseudo razzle dazzle that the Panthers defense stonewalled, despite being not very good.
I know that the balanced and varied approach, especially without Hill, is the way of the road, but I’d feel a little more encouraged if all of the eye candy produced more consistent results against a bad opponent.
And if the offense scored enough points to win.
Though, this one sits squarely on the shoulders of some other severe underperformers:
I don’t know where the defensive front is
Coming into the year, the Dolphins had one of the league’s most fearsome fronts, at least in theory. In practice, for the first few weeks, they looked like they were still practicing.
I’m not sure if it’s growing pains for the new rookies in the middle, regression of the veterans, inadequate schemes, or a combination thereof, but the front seven should dominate an offensive line like Carolina’s. That is, at least, if they’re actually anywhere near as good as they’re supposed to be. Which I’m starting to think they aren’t.
Let us not pulleth punches. Bryce Young is not a good quarterback. He could still become one, but he isn’t one today. Even if C.J. Stroud falls back some in Houston, taking Young over him will haunt the Panthers for a while.
Young lost a free fumble to a rushing Bradley Chubb and tossed a free interception to a floating Minkah ‘Ryan’ Fitzpatrick.
Yet, the Dolphins’ D managed to let him convert a scrambling 4th down in the 2nd quarter to keep the Panther’s early hopes alive.
A good defense snuffs that out, gets the ball back to the offense, and creates an insurmountable lead. The Dolphins’ D did not and I’m not sure they can, especially against more able competition.
Rico Dowdle is a fine running back, but he’s a backup on a bad team. He ran for over 200 yards (not a typo) on his own. My vocabulary is not robust enough to express how embarrassing that is.
The secondary is ragtag (though they’re holding their own better than I feared they might when I saw the offseason depth chart), but the vaunted front seven needs to carry their weight and step up to the level of play that’s expected of them.
The defense was overmatched by a below average offense. I don’t know the answer, but they sure as hell don’t know it either.
Shout out to Jake Bailey
Punter Jake Bailey has been league worst at his job before, yet Miami brought him back. We fans were perplexed. And we’re usually such a bright bunch. But, you know what, he had a great game against Carolina.
If you’re thinking “Man, we’re praising the punter? How milquetoast is this team?”, to you, I say, “Almost impossibly.”
This is a team that plays down to its competition, creates no excitement in its fanbase, and disappoints at every opportunity.
PSA: Don’t forget to buy all new Rivalry jerseys, available at nflshop.com, shop.miamidolphins.com, and wewouldsellourfanspoisonifitmadeusabuck.net!
If I hear ‘3rd and manageable’ one more time, I’m going to have an aneurysm
So, all announcers, just, stop trying to kill me, okay?
Weekly Overreaction: Being a Dolphins fan should be legally classified as torture
Call it ‘enhanced interrogation’ if you want, but it’s all the same.
If I didn’t like this community as much as I do, I wouldn’t watch another snap this year.
My college team is Penn State, so forgive me if I believe that football has nothing to offer me until 2026.
So, I guess, see you next week.
How we all feelin’? Bad? Worse? Drag yourself into another week in the comments below.
