MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Take a look at the NFL standings. The Miami Dolphins are the AFC’s No. 2 seed and will have home-field advantage throughout the postseason if they win the right games the rest of the way.
Now take a look at the league’s turnover differential through three weeks. Except for a couple of exceptions, the teams in Miami’s neighborhood are among the worst in professional football.
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Miami Dolphins’ Troubling Turnover Trend
After three more giveaways — without a single takeaway — in Sunday’s otherwise dominant showing against the New York Giants, the Dolphins are minus-3 in turnover margin on the season. That’s tied for the ninth-worst mark in the NFL.
MORE: Miami Dolphins Depth Chart
The eight teams behind them are the Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, Las Vegas Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Washington Commanders, Giants, Chicago Bears, and Carolina Panthers. Other than the Browns, those might be the seven worst teams in the league.
What’s more, the Dolphins have forced just five takeaways in as many games. That’s the 11th fewest in football. And it’s a continuation of a trend during Mike McDaniel’s time as head coach.
Since 2022, the Dolphins have just 19 takeaways, the second-fewest in football (Raiders, 17).
What has gone wrong?
It’s not from a lack of pressure on the quarterback. The Dolphins in 2023 have the league’s ninth-most pressures and the third-most sacks, finding the most success when they blitz.
It’s more of a playmaking issue on the backend. Miami ranks 27th in both passer rating against (101.9) and completion percentage allowed (71.2%).
Their cornerback room misses Jalen Ramsey greatly, and while he could return as soon as next month, that probably won’t help with games against the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs in the next four weeks.
Christian Wilkins on what was different in Week 5 pic.twitter.com/wnSiBKppEN
— Adam Beasley (@AdamHBeasley) October 9, 2023
“We just definitely got to make it happen,” Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins said. “It’s something we emphasize and practice and try and focus on. I feel like we have the right mindset when it comes to that. You get what you emphasize. As we continue to emphasize and practice it and try to make that happen, I’m sure they’ll come eventually.”
As we explore in the Week 6 Pro Football Network Miami Dolphins Podcast, the team’s Super Bowl hopes depend on it.