Dolphins Data: Breaking down Tannehill & Phin’s offensive/defensive stats

Oct. 09 News and Notes 2 comments ---Bill

The Miami Dolphins are 2-3 and are a few wins away from becoming a threat to make the playoffs.  That’s right, I said playoffs, a word that hasn’t been used in the same sentence as the Dolphins since 2008.  We’ve all watched the games and know that the Dolphins are a couple of key plays away from being a 3-2 or even 4-1 football team.  The Dolphins, one would think, have a much better defense than their offense.  After all, it’s the defense that has kept the Dolphins in games while the offense has sputtered at times and turned the ball over in crucial spots.  While that is true, I found some interesting stats when looking through ESPN.com today.  Keep in mind, stats don’t tell the whole story, but this information is still pretty interesting.

The stat that surprised me most was that the Dolphins offense currently ranks #13 in the NFL, averaging 373 yards per game.  The defense actually ranks below that, at #15, allowing 343 yards per game.  I don’t know why but the fact that the Dolphins were this close to being a top 10 offense, surprised me.  I also thought the Dolphins defense would be ranked higher than 15th in the NFL.  They’ve been playing well, bending but not breaking for the most part.

Right now, the Dolphins running attack and defense against the run are the strengths of the team.  The Dolphins rank #8 in the NFL, averaging 136 yards per game on the ground.  Conversely, the Dolphins rank #1 in the NFL against the run, giving up just 61 yards per game on the ground.  These numbers help to raise the Dolphins rankings in overall offense and defense.

The weakness for the Dolphins is their passing offense and passing defense.  The passing offense is ranked #18, averaging 237 yards per game.  Meanwhile, the Dolphins defense is ranked #27 in the NFL, allowing 281 passing yards per game.  The passing offense has improved as Ryan Tannehill has improved, without question.  Some of that is because the Dolphins receivers are doing a better job of catching the ball and part of that is Tannehill being more accurate with the football.  (cont’d on page 2, click below)

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  • GADOLFAN013

    I don’t see the fins as a playoff team this year anyway, but at least they’re showing improvement, especially at QB. This offseason I would like to see us re-sign Reggie Bush, he’s earned it and he’s not that old, if he demands 10+ mil. a year then no. Then I would like to see us pick up a #1 caliber WR that requires double teams and another #2 level receiver, then upgrade right guard. Also we need to develope a better more consistant pass rush, the personel may already be here. Dansby has to go, 6 tackles a game while providing no sacks, no INT’s and no FF’s for 10 mil/ year is a joke, all he’s worried about is getting the Bag. lastly we need to get a playmaker at saftey who can force fumbles and get a few INT’s

    PS… If Carpenter continues missing FG’s then we’ll need to address that too, not sure what’s going on there, he’s been good in the past.

  • Henry

    If Carpenter would have played like the all pro he was last year, specially against the Jets and Cardinals this team would have been sitting at 4-1 and on top of our division. We are so so close. Hopefully the next stretch of games (6) we can put it together and show the rest of the league what we are capable of. GO PHINS !!!