MIAMI DOLPHINS
2020 Record - 10-6-0
Head Coach - Brian Flores
Key Additions - Malcolm Brown (RB), Jacoby Brissett (QB), D.J. Fluker (OL), Matt Skura (OL), Will Fuller (WR), Jason McCourty (DB), Bernardrick McKinney (LB)
OFFENSE - Tua Tagovailoa looks to be the starting quarterback this season after taking over for part of the 2020 season and he passed for 1,814 yards with eleven touchdowns and five interceptions. Jacoby Brissett comes over from Indianapolis and will be the back up. Running backs include Myles Gaskin (584 yards with a 4.1 ypc average and three touchdowns along with 41 receptions for 388 yards and two scores) and Malcolm Brown, who ran for 419 yards (4.1 ypc) and five touchdowns with the Rams last year.
DeVante Parker caught 63 passes for 793 yards with four touchdowns and leads the wide receiving corps. Will Fuller (53, 879, eight TD) comes over from the Houston Texans this season. Also in the mix is Preston Williams, Jakeem Grant (36, 373, one TD) and rookie Jaylen Waddle (Alabama). Mike Gesicki is the top tight end and he had 53 receptions for 703 yards with six touchdowns last year. Durham Smythe (26, 208, two TD), rookie Hunter Long (Boston College) and Adam Shaheen are the other options.
DEFENSE - The Dolphins have Emmanuel Ogbah (nine QB sacks) and Jason Strowbridge or rookie Jaelen Phillips (Miami, FL) at defensive ends. The tackles are Christian Wilkins, Raekwon Davis, Zach Sieler and John Jenkins. The linebackers include Bernardrick McKinney, Jerome Baker (seven sacks and team high 112 tackles), Andrew Van Ginkel, Vince Biegel, Elandon Roberts and Sam Eguavoen.
The secondary is headed up by All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard, who led the league with ten interceptions a year ago. Byron Jones, Nik Needham and Noah Igbinoghene are the other corners. The safeties include Brandon Jones and Eric Rowe along with Jason McCourty and rookie Jevon Holland (Oregon). Miami intercepted 18 passes last season and registered 41 sacks while ranking 20th overall on defense, allowing 368 yards per game and 21.1 points per game. The run defense allowed 116 YPG (16th) and the pass defense was 23rd in the NFL, giving up 252 yards per game.
2021 SEASON OUTLOOK - Miami just missed making the playoffs last season and would like to take next step and get back into the post-season for the first time in five years. Head Coach Brian Flores has made believers with the team in his first two seasons and the Dolphins now expect to win regularly.
The key to success this season will be the offense taking another step up after averaging 25.3 points per game last year and finishing 22nd in the league in total offense (339 YPG with 106 rushing and 233 passing). Tagovailoa will have to make strides this season for the offense to continue the upward swing. He had his ups and downs in his rookie season and there is no "Fitz Magic" (QB Ryan Fitzpatrick went to the Washington Football team this year) this time around to help and/or bail out the young quarterback.
The defense led the league in the takeaways category last season with 29 and finished third in the NFL with a plus-9 in that area. The Dolphins defense displayed the bend, but don't break type of play as they were stingy in the red zone and finished in the top five in scoring defense. If they continue to do that, they will be tough to beat. Another 10-win season seems reasonable and it could get the team into the playoffs this time around.
Stay tuned.
2021 SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at New England
Week 2 - vs. Buffalo
Week 3 - at Las Vegas
Week 4 - vs. Indianapolis
Week 5 - at Tampa Bay
Week 6 - vs. Jacksonville (in London, England)
Week 7 - vs. Atlanta
Week 8 - at Buffalo
Week 9 - vs. Houston
Week 10 - vs. Baltimore
Week 11 - at N.Y. Jets
Week 12 - vs. Carolina
Week 13 - vs. N.Y. Giants
Week 14 - BYE
Week 15 - vs. N.Y. Jets
Week 16 - at New Orleans
Week 17 - at Tennessee
Week 18 - vs. New England
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