The Miami Dolphins should be quite proud of what they’ve been able to accomplish over the course of the last two months. After a disastrous 0-4 start, the Dolphins came out of the bye and have played a completely different brand of football. Namely one that is competitive — but how did they find that recipe for success?
A lot of what the Dolphins have been able to do stems from some stunning success in the red zone. The team highlighted this morning that, since Week 6, the Miami Dolphins are sporting an 80% touchdown conversion rate when the team reaches the red zone, logging touchdowns on 20 of their 25 possessions to enter the opposing team’s 20 yard line.
That’s a pretty incredible stat. And in averaging just over 3 possessions per game, that success has positioned the Dolphins to win a few ballgames, which they’ve obliged. Miami is 3-5 since the bye week — and remember, that includes the decision to go for 2 against the Washington Redskins in Week 6. Had Miami successfully converted that attempt or taken the game to overtime and won the football game, Miami would be .500 after the bye. That’s mind boggling to consider, given the overhaul to the roster, the injuries this team has absorbed and the talent deficiency the Dolphins face on seemingly a weekly basis.
Miami’s progress as a football team shouldn’t be diminished or overlooked and it definitely shouldn’t be undersold. Miami’s players are buying what Brian Flores is selling and, with several more winnable games on the schedule against the 4-8 New York Jets, 2-10 New York Giants and 1-11 Cincinnati Bengals, Miami is positioned to build even more momentum. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the red zone successes continue against some porous defensive teams over the next three games — and the wins to follow.
