MIAMI DOLPHINS
2022 Record - 9-8
Head Coach - Mike McDaniel
Offensive Rank - 6th (365 YPG); Scoring - 11th (23.4 PPG)
Defensive Rank - 18th (338 YPG); Scoring - 24th (23.5 PPG)
Tua Tagovailoa (3,548 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, eight interceptions) is back to play quarterback and is backed up by Skylar Thompson and Mike White. The running game features Raheem Mostert (891 yards, 4.9 YPC average, three TD), Jeff Wilson, Jr. (392, 4.7 YPC, three TD) and rookie Devon Achane (Texas A & M). Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle lead the wide receiving corps. Hill had 119 receptions last season for 1,710 yards and seven touchdowns while Waddle hauled in 75 catches for 1,356 yards and eight touchdowns. The tight ends are Durham Smythe and Eric Saubert.
On defense, it's Christian Wilkins, Raekwon Davis and Emmanuel Ogbah up front along with linebackers Bradley Chubb (2 1/2 QB sacks), Jaelan Phillips (seven sacks), Andrew Van Ginkel, Jerome Baker and David Long, Jr. The secondary has corners Xavien Howard and rookie Cam Smith (South Carolina), who will likely be in for the injured Jalen Ramsey (out until most likely December with a knee injury), who had four interceptions with the L.A. Rams a year ago. The safeties are Jevon Holland (two picks) and Brandon Jones.
OUTLOOK FOR 2023 - The Dolphins finally made the playoffs last year for the first time since the 2016 season and they battled the Buffalo Bills in the wild card round, losing a 34-31 decision. Head Coach Mike McDaniel proved some of the doubters wrong by seeing the team finish with a win after dropping five straight games following an 8-3 start. If the Dolphins want to succeed again this season, then QB Tua Tagovailoa must stay on the field. He missed several games last season with concussions.
The offense can score points in a hurry when they are clicking and with two of the top wide receivers in the NFL, the team should have a high scoring offense yet again in the 2023 season. As for the defense, it's important the Dolphins get more pressure on opposing quarterbacks and force more turnovers. They had just eight interceptions last season and that has to improve. Miami also must improve in the red zone as they allowed too many points in key situations last season, resulting in five one-score losses.
Playing in the AFC East will provide big challenges from Buffalo for sure and also the New York Jets and their revamped roster as well as the New England Patriots, who always play Miami tough. The bottom line is as long as Tua is healthy and the running game provides some balance, the 'Fins will do well with the offense. Whether they can win the division title is another story, but the post-season is a definite possibility again.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - at L.A. Chargers
Week Two - at New England
Week Three - vs. Denver
Week Four - at Buffalo
Week Five - vs. N.Y. Giants
Week Six - vs. Carolina
Week Seven - at Philadelphia
Week Eight - vs. New England
Week Nine - at Kansas City (Frankfurt, Germany)
Week Ten - BYE
Week Eleven - vs. Las Vegas
Week Twelve - at N.Y. Jets
Week Thirteen - at Washington
Week Fourteen - vs. Tennessee
Week Fifteen - vs. N.Y. Jets
Week Sixteen - vs. Dallas
Week Seventeen - at Baltimore
Week Eighteen - vs. Buffalo
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