Miami Is Learning What They Need To Do To Win
Credit: Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
The 2-3 Miami Dolphins head into a much-needed bye week following a win on the road in New England. And speaking of much-needed, it’s looking more and more like the Dolphins could be just one game away from the return of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Until then, they’ll continue to rely on recently acquired quarterback Tyler “Snoop” Huntley, who helped engineer a win against the Patriots following a lackluster primetime loss against the Tennessee Titans. While Huntley helped facilitate, it was the Dolphins rushing attack that propelled the team to victory against their AFC East rivals.
Miami’s ground game produced 193 yards in New England, which was just one yard less than Huntley’s passing output on Sunday. Their 41 rushing attempts were the second-highest single-game total in the head coaching tenure of Mike McDaniel. The only game where McDaniel ran more was last season’s 70-20 win against the Denver Broncos, when the Dolphins carried the ball 43 times.
Regardless of the potential of a Week 8 return of Tagovailoa for their home matchup with the Arizona Cardinals, running the ball is going to be Miami’s ticket for success. McDaniel has an unfortunate tendency to abandon the rushing attack during his two-plus seasons in Miami. Last Sunday, however, showed a commitment to the run, and not because of the game situation, but because he recognized how important it was.
McDaniel dialed up 18 rushing plays in the first half, and on their go-ahead fourth-quarter drive, he dialed up seven straight rushes, capped by a three-yard touchdown by fullback Alec Ingold. Of course, the volume of rushing was a necessity due to Huntley’s lack of experience running McDaniel’s intricate offense. Tagovailoa is one of a handful of quarterbacks in the NFL that can run Miami’s full playbook with ease.
Interestingly enough, the Dolphins hit over 40 carries despite second-year running back De’VOn Achane exiting the game early due to a concussion. He was effective on his three rushes (with 18 yards), and is one of just two running backs at this point in the season who’ve had over 180 rushing and receiving yards. The New Orleans Saints’ Alvin Kamara is the other.
While in concussion protocol, Achane has over a week to get ready for a potential return against the Indianapolis Colts, and his return could force an intriguing debate, no matter the quarterback. When Achane left, in came rookie Jaylen Wright, who had his breakout performance with 86 yards on 13 carries. A flag on a huge run negated him hitting the century mark, but his 6.6 yards per carry scratched the surface of his potential. Mixed with veteran Raheem Mostert, who returned Sunday from a three-game absence with a chest injury to gain 80 yards on 19 attempts, the Dolphins have a trio of talented players who can all contribute.
A healthy Achane should not dwindle Wright’s ability to get carries. Since Mostert is 32-years-old, consistently giving him 15-plus-carry games may not be the best prescription for his durability. With Achane’s ability to be utilized as a receiver out of the backfield, in the slot, and even on the boundary, Wright and Mostert should be the ones getting the tougher between-the-tackles rushing attempts.
Achane excels in space a bit more than he does when bursting through the interior gaps. Combine that with his skill set as a pass-catcher, along with Miami’s difficulty in identifying a third wide receiver threat behind Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and Achane could be the Dolphins’ de facto WR3.
The concept here is to maximize touches from Mostert, while not overusing him; Wright, while not underusing him; and Achane, while maximizing his abilities.
Everybody got that?
Complementing this trio with Ingold could help Miami hit totals of 30-plus rushing attempts per week as a team, which usually translates into good things. The formula is simple: Grind out an early lead, then run down their opponent’s throats to run out the clock. Even when (and if) Tagovailoa returns, the Dolphins’ offensive success might very well be dependent on the run; and there is nothing wrong with embracing that.
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