Sorry, Mike McDaniel. Get-right games do exist. And the Miami Dolphins just benefitted from one.
The Dolphins beat the hapless New York Giants 31-16 Sunday in a game that was nowhere that close to improve to 4-1 on the season and move back into sole possession of first in the AFC East.
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New York Giants vs. Miami Dolphins Instant Observations
The Dolphins’ Offense Is Quarterback-Proof
Tua Tagovailoa has had some fantastic days this season. Sunday wasn’t his best. He threw two brutal picks — leading directly to 10 points — and it didn’t matter.
Certainly, the opponent helped. The Giants are horrendous.
But the Dolphins’ offense is elite. Like historically elite.
With 524 more yards of offense Sunday — including 501 in the first three quarters — the Dolphins broke the record for most yards gained through the first five games of an NFL season. The old record was held by the 1999 Rams — otherwise known as the Greatest Show on Turf.
This is real, folks. And it’s spectacular.
The #Dolphins offense has been cooking this season 🔥
Miami passed the Greatest Show on Turf for most scrimmage yards in the first 5 games of a season in #NFL history!
Could this offense be the most dangerous of all-time? 👀
More on #PFN365: https://t.co/UWwR6Sgsx3 pic.twitter.com/xbEVlEdhwc
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 9, 2023
Dolphins’ Defense Gets Right
It’s amazing what a game against a bad offensive line down three starters will do for the confidence of a defense.
A week after surrendering 48 points to the Bills, the Dolphins allowed just nine to the Giants. (The offense allowed the other seven).
The Dolphins surrendered all of 268 yards Sunday to Daniel Jones and Brian Daboll.
The biggest reason (other than a terrible Giants roster that was without Saquon Barkley)?
Miami’s defensive line got right.
A week after getting pushed around by Buffalo, the Dolphins recorded seven sacks, had 14 quarterback hits, and knocked Jones out of the game with a neck injury.
More of this, please.
Is Tyreek Hill Really the Fastest?
The Dolphins players now own the top seven spots on the NFL’s 2023 list of fastest ball carriers. And Tyreek Hill — not surprisingly — is No. 1 after hitting 22.01 mph on a 64-yard catch-and-run. But there’s reason to believe that if he raced De’Von Achane, he’d lose.
Because Achane ran stride-for-stride with Hill on the play — and didn’t even seem like he fully opened it up.
Tyreek Hill reclaims fastest man title with 22.01 MPH @NextGenStats top speed on 68-yard catch. He was hawked on the angle.
Dolphins have all 7 of NFL’s fastest top speeds. Hill has 1st, 4th, 6th. De’Von Achane has 2nd, 3rd, 7th. Raheem Mostert has 5th: pic.twitter.com/OajoVnef8Q
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) October 8, 2023
Earlier in the game, Achane hit 21.76 mph (the third-fastest recorded time this season) on a 76-yard run that, to the naked eye, seemed even more impressive. And Achane pulled up with 25 yards to go, despite Giants safety Xavier McKinney seemingly having the angle on him.
In the words of Mel Brooks, the Dolphins have Ludicrous Speed.
Dolphins Turnover Margin — Not Great
The Dolphins are 4-1 with a home game next week against the dreadful Panthers. Barring a massive upset, they will be 5-1 heading into Week 7’s massive showdown against the Philadelphia Eagles.
They better work on ball security between now and then, or things could get ugly.
HOUSE CALL 🏠📞#NYGiants safety Jason Pinnock intercepts Tua Tagovailoa in the endzone and takes it for a 102-yard PICK-SIX 🤯
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 8, 2023
After three more giveaways — including an inexcusable pick by Tagovailoa that Jason Pinnock returned 102 yards for a touchdown — the Dolphins have a negative turnover margin on the season.
MORE: NFL Offense Rankings 2023
That’s a terrible place to live, no matter how explosive Miami’s offense is.