The Phinsider
The Dolphins get a win, but the media isn’t impressed.
The Miami Dolphins won one of the ugliest games of the season, but their record doesn’t care how they do it. They all count the same. Though that’s true with a team’s record, it’s the opposite amongst the minds of media members who vote in power rankings.
Just like the AP poll in college football, how you win and how much you win by matters. With the almost unwatchable 15-10 win over the New England Patriots, it left the media more confident that the Dolphins are a bottom 5-10 team without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
I would advise Dolphins fans to just be happy that the team left Sunday with a win and rest up through the bye week in time for another big game for them. It may not be do or die in two weeks against the Indianapolis Colts, but the difference between 3-3 and 2-4 with Tagovailoa coming back could be massive in terms of a packed playoff picture.
Even if it was an ugly win, a win is a win. The Dolphins are now 2-3 and heading into the bye. The media may not believe in them, but they’re surviving the storm until they get the ship’s captain back.
Let’s see how the media ranks the Dolphins in the last few weeks of the Tyler Huntley experience.
“The good news is that the Dolphins found ways to generate some offense with their third-string quarterback in Sunday’s win over New England, even if the passing game had plenty of dud plays and early penalties set them back. Despite De’Von Achane being ruled out in the first quarter, Miami found a way to run for 193 yards, largely thanks to rookie Jaylen Wright and veteran Raheem Mostert. Wright had his breakout game, rushing for 86 yards (+21 yards over expected, per Next Gen Stats), with most of his production coming after halftime. He had runs of 12, 17 and 16 yards and showed impressive physicality in the process. Miami’s defense also did what it had to do after a slow start. That said, what is going on with the special teams? A blocked punt, a missed field-goal try plus a penalty prior to an aborted FG attempt all came in the first half. Against a better team, the Dolphins probably lose.”
“Hill started the season with a vintage seven-catch, 130-yard performance in Week 1, but he recorded 16 catches for 156 yards over the Dolphins’ next four games. With starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve and fledgling rapport with current starter Tyler Huntley, Hill is on pace for 972 receiving yards, his fewest as a Dolphin. He’s currently WR26 in standard leagues despite being drafted as WR3 — although his 69 receiving yards in Week 5 were his most since Week 1. Hill has received 25%...
