The Miami Dolphins signify the whole lot the NFL desires professional soccer to be. Tua Tagovailoa is throwing cute behind-the-back shovel passes for four-yard good points. Mike McDaniel represents the analytics department that’s pushed out the “soccer guys.” His offenses are concentrating on getting athletes out in open area fairly than creating micro-collisions that jar the mind, and he has an in depth spotlight reel of viral press convention moments. Sadly, that corporate-friendly model has an enemy within the mix of soccer that also wins Tremendous Bowls.

McDaniel and his perpetual movement offense, are the millennial scheme du jour. Wanna see fireworks? Miami has all the required components. Tyreek Hill strikes so rapidly he can part via the highest shell of the protection.

It’s no marvel Hill has been so adamant about taking part in flag soccer within the 2028 Olympics. Nonetheless, on Sunday night time, the Philadelphia Eagles taught Miami the worth of rugby. And knocked the Dolphins round. Aj Brown outmuscled corners, the defensive entrance jostled Tagovailoa, the run sport was non-existent, and Hill was even rattled at instances. However it’s not even essential to fixate on what went flawed Sunday. This has develop into an ongoing theme for Miami.

There are many issues to love concerning the Dolphins. Tagovailoa is getting hit and pressured much less usually and he’s protected his mind. Beneath optimum positions, he resembles an MVP candidate. Nonetheless, McDaniel’s 4.3-speed retailers limp to the facet of the highway after they hit roadblocks. Pace is deadly, however championships are made within the trenches.

Even their resurgent speeding assault is finesse-based. Within the third spherical of the 2023 Draft, the Dolphins chosen a 5-9, 190-pound again to pair with Raheem Mostert’s monitor velocity. They even have the quickest offensive lineman in NFL historical past taking part in sort out.

The Dolphins’ ball carriers slice via defenses like a katana open area, however they may also be bodily restrained. Within the second half towards New England, Miami was held to seven factors within the second half and that was solely a results of a DeMario Douglas landing and Mostert breaking one free for 43 yards in open area.

Miami’s offense excels at quick-strike scores, however their offense, and protection haven’t confirmed they’ve the capability to grapple towards the heavyweights. At 5-2, there isn’t a big trigger for concern for the Dolphins’ fortunes, however expectations are rising faster than South Seashore’s sea waters. The following step after a postseason return is an increase into competition.

Their signature wins can’t maintain coming towards comatose defenses and different finesse squads or earlier than lengthy, Mike McDaniel may very well be famend because the NFL’s Lincoln Riley. Riley’s avant-garde offenses have been the apple of each NFL group’s eyes. However additionally they haven’t gained many fights with convention brawlers. Miami is averaging an NFL document 8 yards-per-play, however greater than seemingly they’ll be taking part in on the highway for a Tremendous Bowl in a frigid local weather. Dolphins have by no means swam nicely in frozen waters and velocity will get neutralized to a level on icy fields. Take a look at their friends as an example.

In February, the Chiefs turned the very first group to win the Tremendous Bowl and lead the league in passing yardage behind the NFL’s second-most safe offensive line. This season, Kansas Metropolis has confirmed they will win when their offense is underneath the climate.

The Chiefs protection leads the NFL in tipped passes and has carried the offense lengthy sufficient for Patrick Mahomes, Travis Swift, and Isiah Pacheco to grind out factors. San Francisco’s panoply of highway graders, bruisers at tight finish, and the NFL’s highest-paid fullback are all elements of their offensive locomotive.

Complementing Mostert with an influence again like Derrick Henry, 30, might give the Dolphins an added dimension. He’s on the block. Henry touchdown in Miami could be the inverse of what McCaffrey’s versatility delivered to the NFL’s Sturdy Man group. The Dolphins practically went all in on Jonathan Taylor as a result of their remaining backs have been too frail to hold the load for 17-plus weeks. Henry is a generational 240-pound cheat code. Be a legend, McDaniel, and unleash the thunder that your lightning-quick flag soccer squad wants.

On Sunday, the Eagles drew a stark distinction by doubling up Miami’s speeding totals as Miami threw 32 instances whereas their operating backs carried the rock solely 11 instances. Philadelphia ran 34 instances. The Payments hammered them for practically 100 yards on 30 carries and lit them up by air. Jalen Ramsey’s well being might mitigate the secondary, however Miami might use a rugby ball provider on their flag soccer roster.

Jalen Hurts drops again and rolls out behind the Fort Knox of traces. The gentle stomach of the Dolphins’ inside protection was held hostage by Brotherly Shove conversions on third or fourth-and-short.

In the meantime, Philly’s protection led the NFL in sacks by recording probably the most in over 30 years, misplaced inside go rusher Javon Hargrove to San Fran of all locations after which changed him with Jalen Carter. Carter has been such a disruptive grenade within the center that you simply don’t even hear broadcasters gushing about 330-pound Jordan Davis within the center anymore. On a second-and-short within the fourth body, Fletcher Cox, and Adams shared the kill when they caved in Tagovailoa’s pocket and cashed in on a sack.

Yesterday was additionally Tight Finish Day. Every of the groups I discussed deploys a brolic pass-catching security valve at tight finish, which the Dolphins additionally lack. Would McDaniel be thinking about saving Darren Waller?

The Dolphins Tremendous Bowl window is broad open in the event that they stick their head out and really feel the breeze. Derrick Henry isn’t the one antidote to what ails Miami. Saquon Barkley can be losing away, however extra pricey than Henry. Except Miami is contemplating 2028 their Tremendous Bowl, McDaniel and basic supervisor Chris Grier must go towards the grain by mixing some brawn, and physicality into the Dolphins scheme.

Observe DJ Dunson on X: @cerebralsportex