Miami Dolphins Mid-Season Review is not a stellar recap
By Austin Ramos
![MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 14: Brock Osweiler #8 of the Miami Dolphins takes the field for their game against the Chicago Bears at Hard Rock Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images) MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 14: Brock Osweiler #8 of the Miami Dolphins takes the field for their game against the Chicago Bears at Hard Rock Stadium on October 14, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fphinphanatic-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2017-2F07-2F1052150726-850x560-dbebbc4ec0571d2da07adb68786929a794d747337d6614f0da17c590a3210f76.jpg)
The Miami Dolphins are at 4-4. They have lost their last 2 games. When facing AFC opponents they are 3-3, 1-1 against NFC North and 1-1 against AFC East.
Looking back over the first half of the season, the Miami Dolphins are still an enigma that we can’t quite put a finger on. Injuries too have been a big problem.
Week 1 – Tennessee Titans V.S. Miami Dolphins 20-27
This was the longest game in NFL History with it totaling almost 7+ hours between the first and final whistle. This was due to 2 weather delays by lightning striking close tot he field of play. Highlights for Miami in this game starts with a Jakeem Grant kickoff return Touchdown for 102 yards, Kenny Stills with a 75 yard reception touchdown. Defensively Reshad Jones had 2 interceptions and Kiko Alonso also had 1 interception. Josh Sitton is lost for the season after this game with a shoulder injury
Week 2 – Miami Dolphins V.S. New York Jets 20-12
Miami played a game that went to the very end at the Jets. Kenyan Drake 6 yard touchdown run. Albert Wilson 29 yard touchdown reception. AJ Darby catches a great pass from Tannehill in the end zone for 19 yards. Defensively Kiko Alonso forces a fumble then Raekwon McMillan recovers it. Xavien Howard and TJ McDonald both had interceptions on the day.
Week 3 – Oakland Raiders V.S. Miami Dolphins 20-28
Miami had a second half comeback win against the Raiders with a Kenny Stills 34 yard touchdown, Jakeem Grant 18 yard touchdown and 52 yard touchdown from Albert Wilson. Wilson also scored a touchdown of his own for 74 yards. Xavien Howard finished the game with 2 interceptions. Dolphins lose William Hayes after tearing his ACL trying to obey the NFL’s new rule on not putting so much weight on the quarterback and is lost for the season.
Week 4 – Miami Dolphins V.S. New England Patriots 7-38
Just a flat-out ugly game. Miami could not get things going Offensively and Defensively. The team also lost new center Daniel Kilgore for the season.
Week 5 – Miami Dolphins V.S. Cincinnati Bengals 17-27
After leading 14-0 at half time Miami ends up losing tot he Bengals in one of their very touch losses. With a 22 yard pass to Kenyan Drake for a touchdown and Jakeem Grant returning a punt 71 yards for a touchdown. Miami had just bad luck when turnovers instantly turned into points against the team and the defense wasn’t able to get out on the field and stop them. Kiko Alonso had an interception from a Reshad Jones Reflected pass.
Week 6 – Chicago Bears V.S. Miami Dolphins 28-31
Miami and Chicago had one of the greatest games of the week with both teams fighting to stay alive and play in overtime. Key player for Miami came from an early score from Nick O’Leary for 5 yards and a touchdown, Albert Wilson had 2 touchdowns on the day 1st being a 43 yard score and 2nd being 75 yards, another player worth mentioning is Jason Sanders going 3/3 on field goals and 2/2 on extra points. Kiko Alonso had a crucial fumble recovery on the goal line to prevent a score. He also forced a fumble that Xavien Howard Recovered. TJ McDonald intercepts the ball in the end zone huge turn over in Miamis favor.
Week 7 – Detroit Lions V.S. Miami Dolphins 32-21
Miami’s run defense did not show up and let Kerryon Johnson run all over them. Kenny Stills catches a 5 yard touchdown, Kenyan Drake 54 yard rush touchdown, and Danny Amendola Scores his first touchdown as a Miami Dolphin on a 24 yard pass from Brock Osweiler. Albert Wilson left the game with a hip/leg injury and is out for the season but will not need surgery.
Week 8 – Miami Dolphins V.S. Houston Texans 23-42
Kenyan Drake 12 yard touchdown, He also caught a touchdown off of Danny Amendola for 28 yards. this had been Miamis worst defensive outings yet points wise. Miami could not stop Deshawn Watson and his offense at all.
Throughout eight weeks Miami has reached the halfway point of the season and are at a tough spot being 4-4. any team in this position throughout their first eight go one of two directions they either go and try to compete for a playoff spot or they tank the rest of the season in hopes of landing an early pick to get that next NFL superstar early in the draft.
Looking Forward
Miami will go on to face the New York Jets at Home, At Green Bay Packers, BYE WEEK, At Indianapolis Colts, V.S. Buffalo Bills, V.S. New England Patriots, At Minnesota Vikings, V.S. Jacksonville Jaguars, and at Buffalo Bills to cap off the season.
Miami could very well be in the hunt at the end of the season and may just be in the wildcard. That is of course if the defense can turn things around and not let scores get out of hand so often Miami can make a run.
I can see them finishing the year 10-6 with their only 2 losses left being to Green Bay and Minnesota. Two very tough NFC North Opponents that wont affect their record as much compared to that of a AFC loss would.
Miami Dolphins Mid-Season Review
Here I go a little bit more into depth on what the team can do down the line feel free to check that out on my YouTube channel by following the link above.