3 things the Miami Dolphins must do to make the playoffs this season
By Nick Belotto
![MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 18: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins huddles with the offense against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on October 18, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 18: Tua Tagovailoa #1 of the Miami Dolphins huddles with the offense against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at Hard Rock Stadium on October 18, 2020 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/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-2F2017-2F07-2F1281462827-850x560-75de21c211e9fd7e09a656ec789ae95f0a081a09b4f465e4cb56e98bff916bf9.jpg)
For the Miami Dolphins, offensive line continuity is a big part of their failure and success.
This is the most frustrating part of Miami’s team over the last few weeks. Outside of Erick Flowers and Ted Karras, Miami’s offensive line has been rotated a lot this season. Obviously, Miami has had some injuries along the offensive line, which definitely doesn’t help their ability to build continuity, but rotation isn’t good for a young, developing line that needs time to gel together.
The offensive line has played well in spurts throughout the season but their play as a unit has dipped a bit in recent weeks. With injuries to some of their starters throughout the year like Austin Jackson and Solomon Kindley, both of which had been playing well as rookies, this was to be expected. Miami will need to get healthy on the line if they want to give Tagovailoa the time he needs to read the field and open things up for the running game.
Miami’s offensive line is not the only problem that has plagued this offense this year, as I said on the last slide. Yet, this constant rotation isn’t helping. The offensive line isn’t the same as any other position group. The same 5 guys, barring injury or poor play, should suit up each and every week. If you don’t establish consistency on the line, the season may be over. Flores needs to pick his line, and ride with them through the remainder of the year.