Miami Dolphins’ Biggest Challenges

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The AFC East

I really wanted to give the Bills (weeks three and nine), Jets (weeks four and twelve), and Patriots (weeks eight and seventeen) their own sections but these games are always so tough I had to put them together. These six games are always the most important and confounding on the Dolphins’ schedule. The last two years the Dolphins have been a better team than the Bills and Jets but have struggled mightily against both teams. While they have continued to struggle against those two they have shown the ability to beat the Patriots. The Dolphins need to show consistency in the division and they have to win against all three teams.

The Bills and Jets are trending upwards and that’s flat out scary. Both teams have terrifying defenses but it also looks like they are starting to form up decent to good offenses as well. Both of these defenses have man handled the Dolphins’ offensive line in recent memory. Both teams have tough, smash mouth defenses that the Dolphins just haven’t been able to match up against. That needs to end this year and the Dolphins need to step up. If Tannehill and the offensive line don’t step it up for these games then their season will end in heartbreak.

On the defensive side the Dolphins need to be prepared to stop more run teams. Both the Jets and Bills have bad quarterback situations right now so once again they will look to run the ball down teams’ throats. If the Dolphins want any chance to make the playoffs then they need to stop these running offenses right from the start. There is no way either of these teams can beat the Dolphins through the air but they absolutely cannot let them gain much through the run game. Once either team finds an opening they are superb at exploiting it to win the game.

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Now, on to the Patriots. These two games will probably be the toughest for the Dolphins to win but they still have a chance. To beat the Patriots the Dolphins will need to lay tough, smart, and be healthy. Last year’s Dolphins team was built specifically to counter Tom Brady and the Patriots. It worked early in their first meeting last year but once the Dolphins fell to the injury bug the Patriots had their way with them. On defense the Dolphins need to slow down Tom Brady. The Patriots can beat the Dolphins on the ground as well but I would rather face their running backs than Tom Brady. The Dolphins need to play their best all around defense in both of these games if they want to win. They need to stop the run quick and early while also slowing Tom Brady. That’s a feat not too many teams have accomplished but the Dolphins need to figure out a way.

On offense the Dolphins need to get a lead early on and then keep that lead. The Dolphins’ offense cannot rely on the defense to win this game for them. Tom Brady and the Patriots’ offense is just too deadly to count out so Ryan Tannehill needs to take over this game. If the Dolphins want to win one or both of these games then they need to score points almost every single time they touch the ball. Ryan Tannehill will need to be smart with the football and that means avoiding sacks as well as not handing it to the Patriots. This offense also needs to score touchdowns not field goals once they get in the red zone.