The Dolphins are on a much-needed break, as they have a bye week this week. This will allow time to get players completely healthy before their Week 15 matchup against the New York Jets. This article will give an overview of the Dolphins season as of Week 14
The Dolphins began the season on the road against Mac Jones and the New England Patriots. This was a game between two of the NFL’s promising young Quarterbacks. Mac Jones was making his NFL debut and Tagovailoa was starting his second season in the NFL after an up and down 2020. This was close as the game ended with a one-point margin in favor of the Miami Dolphins. Furthermore, the final score of this game was 17-16. Tagovailoa had a decent game as he threw for 202 yards, one touchdown and an interception. The offensive line also got its first look as they allowed two Tagovailoa sacks.
This was also a game where Jaylen Waddle made his season debut and made an impact right off the bat. He was the Dolphins’ second-best receiver in terms of yardage as he had 61 yards and a touchdown. DeVante Parker was in front of Waddle with 81 yards. The Dolphins also played well on defense as Xavien Howard and Zach Sieler both had fumble recoveries.
After the win against the Patriots is where the Dolphins’ horrible losing streak began. The Dolphins lost seven games during this stretch. They lost against some good competition but also had a tough loss against the Jaguars, who is a team that has struggled this year. The first game of this losing streak was Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills. This game was pivotal as the offensive line struggled the whole game and Tua got sacked two times, as he got injured due to lack of protection from the offensive line. Brissett had much of the same struggles as he was harassed in the pocket and sacked four times during this game.
Photo courtesy of Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Brissett would start the next three games for Miami. He did give the Dolphins a chance as he had two close games against the Raiders and the Colts. The Dolphins lost those game by 10 points or less. Furthermore, Miami had one lopsided game in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers The reason the Dolphins lost these games was due to lack of protection from the offensive line, turnovers, and just a stagnant offense at times. The Dolphins offense also could not get the running game going, as they have been one of the worst teams in the league in this category. Tagovailoa would come back for the game against Jacksonville where they suffered a heartbreaking loss due to a last-second field goal. They would then end up losing their next game against the Falcons.
The Dolphins then made a turnaround as they were coming dangerously close to 2021 being a lost season. The Dolphins would start this impressive winning streak against a bad Houston team, as they won 17-9. Miami would then stun the Ravens at home the next week, as they were all over Lamar Jackson and sacked him four times during that game. Miami then won games against the Jets, the Panthers, and the Giants.
Photo courtesy of Bill Ingram / USA TODAY
This was due to a great Miami defense who had success in blitzing during this current streak. Furthermore, Tagovailoa found his groove, and has been highly accurate and has limited turnovers while throwing the ball. Jalen Waddle has also played great as DeVante Parker has had a season riddled with injuries. Waddle has become Tagovailoa’s favorite receiver as he has sparked this Dolphins offense with his explosiveness. The tight end combination of Durham Smythe and Mike Gesicki has also given NFL defenses difficulties.
The Dolphins are now in the position where they have a Wildcard berth within their reach. This streak has already been special for Miami, but if they make the playoffs it would be one of the biggest turnarounds in NFL history. This concludes this Dolphins season overview as of Week 14.
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