After a rousing performance against the Atlanta Falcons in week eight — a game that saw Miami win by a score of 34-10 — the Dolphins came crashing back down to Earth in week nine when they hosted Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football.
Miami lost 28-6 — another defeat in primetime witnessed by the entire world.
However, this loss came with a sparkling silver lining. Just one day following Miami’s latest embarrassment, general manager Chris Grier and the Dolphins decided to
“mutually part ways,” mercifully ending Grier’s tenure which can be summed up simply as a prolonged catastrophe.
The team’s future now hangs in the balance as the 2025 version of the Miami Dolphins shift gears into evaluation mode. Who will be shipped off for draft picks ahead of this week’s trade deadline? Who will be kept as building blocks towards a better future? We shall soon find out.
Miami Dolphins Week Nine MVP – OL Daniel Brunskill
As has been this team’s theme for most of the year, following Miami’s latest loss, choosing a Most Valuable ‘Phin for the contest seems like a pointless exercise. However, I’ve made a commitment to my readers — all six of you (I kid…) — so pick a player I must.
This week’s MVP will be awarded to offensive lineman, Daniel Brunskill. Brunskill signed with the Dolphins this past July as depth and insurance along Miami’s front. In the past two weeks, the 31-year-old has been deployed as a 6th offensive linemen in the Dolphins’ jumbo package — a package that has helped to spark a small resurgence in Miami’s ground game.
Early against the Ravens, Brunskill’s involvement was once gain propelling the Dolphins into success while rushing the ball, however an injury to Miami’s power back, Ollie Gordon II, plus a lopsided 2nd half scoreboard derailed those plans sooner than head coach Mike McDaniel would have probably liked. However, during his limited reps, Brunskill managed to earn Pro Football Focus’s fourth best offensive grade (74.2) for the Dolphins during the entire clash.
Here’s hoping that Brunskill remains involved in Miami’s offense as the season progresses as he’s been one of the few bright spots for this team as of late.
MVP TRACKER
Week One – RB De’Von Achane
Week Two – WR/PR Malik Washington
Week Three – RB Ollie Gordon II
Week Four – TE Darren Waller
Week Five – WR Jaylen Waddle
Week Six – RB De’Von Achane
Week Seven – RB De’Von Achane
Week Eight – LB Jordyn Brooks
Week Nine – OL Daniel Brunskill
