MIAMI DOLPHINS
2023 Record - 11-6
Head Coach - Mike McDaniel
Key Additions - Jordan Poyer (DB), Shaq Barrett (LB), Odell Beckham, Jr. (WR), Kendall Fuller (DB), Aaron Brewer (OL), Jordyn Brooks (LB), Anthony Walker (LB)
Key Losses - Christian Wilkins (DL), Xavien Howard (DB), DeShon Elliott (DB), Cedrick Wilson, Jr. (WR), Andrew Van Ginkel (LB)
2023 STATS LINE
PASSING - Tua Tagovailoa (4,624 yards, 29 TD, 14 INT)
RUSHING - Raheem Mostert (1,012 yards, 4.8 ypc, 18 TD)
RECEIVING - Tyreek Hill (119 receptions, 1,799 yards, 13 TD)
SACKS - Bradley Chubb (11)
INTERCEPTIONS - Jalen Ramsey (3)
OUTLOOK FOR 2024 - For all the fan fare and explosive offense the Dolphins put up last season, they went out rather quietly in the cold Kansas City air in mid January in the wild card round of the playoffs as they scored just one touchdown. Head Coach Mike McDaniel definitely wants that to change this year after the team was 9-3 and then limped home and finished second to Buffalo in the AFC East division.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa stayed healthy for the first time in three years and it showed as he and wide receiver Tyreek Hill were a two-man wrecking crew. The Dolphins led the league in offense, gaining 401 yards per game and averaged 29.2 PPG, which was second best in the regular season. Along with Jaylen Waddle (and Hill), Miami has perhaps the best wide receiver duo in the NFL. Both wideouts topped 1,000 yards and combined for 17 touchdowns. Running back Raheem Mostert scored 18 times on the ground while averaging 4.8 yards per carry to balance out the offense.
The defense was suspect at times in 2023, but still finished tenth overall, allowing 318 YPG and giving up 23 points per game, which ranked 22nd. The run defense is solid, but the pass defense gave up 221 YPG and allowed too many big plays. The Dolphins did get 15 interceptions and with Bradley Chubb leading the way, had 56 sacks, which was third best in the NFL.
As long as they maintain health and protect the football, Miami has a legitimate shot at knocking Buffalo from the top spot in the divisional race and could make some noise in the playoffs. They have to be prepared to play better football on the road where they lost five times (including playoff loss) a year ago. The key thing will be getting off to another fast start as the schedule looks to be more favorable the first half this season. The final six games looks like a gauntlet and if Miami comes out of that stretch with three or more wins, the playoffs should be a lock.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Jacksonville
Week Two - vs. Buffalo
Week Three - at Seattle
Week Four - vs. Tennessee
Week Five - at New England
Week Six - BYE
Week Seven - at Indianapolis
Week Eight - vs. Arizona
Week Nine - at Buffalo
Week Ten - at L.A. Rams
Week Eleven - vs. Las Vegas
Week Twelve - vs. New England
Week Thirteen - at Green Bay
Week Fourteen - vs. N.Y. Jets
Week Fifteen - at Houston
Week Sixteen - vs. San Francisco
Week Seventeen - at Cleveland
Week Eighteen - at N.Y. Jets
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