After a busy offseason for the team, the Miami Dolphins are back at it again to get another shot at the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, an NFL analysis has projected the team to have a tough campaign for the 2024-25 season.
The Dolphins are facing a challenging start to their 2024 season, opening with two games in just five days. This quick turnaround poses difficulties, especially as the team deals with several injuries. They kick off the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars, followed by a Thursday Night Football matchup against the Buffalo Bills.
One of the key players, linebacker Jaelan Phillips, is returning from a torn Achilles he suffered last season. Although he has been cleared to play, head coach Mike McDaniel is cautious about his reintegration, considering the tight schedule. McDaniel plans to limit Phillips’ snaps to around 15-20 to ensure he remains healthy for the long haul.
The Dolphins’ depth at edge rusher is being tested early on. With Bradley Chubb on the Physically Unable to Perform list and Shaq Barrett recently retiring, Phillips’ role becomes even more crucial. The team is relying on a mix of rookies and less experienced players to fill the gaps, which could lead to some growing pains on the field.
In addition to Phillips, starting cornerback Jalen Ramsey is also nursing a hamstring injury, casting doubt on his availability for the opener. Defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver emphasizes the importance of adapting to these situations. He believes that injuries create opportunities for younger players, such as Ethan Bonner and Storm Duck, to step up and prove their worth.
Miami Dolphins Predicted To Have Tough 2024 NFL Season Ahead
Unlike the past campaign, the Dolphins are predicted to win only 10 games and have a tougher this time around. This can be seen in an analysis by Cynthia Frelund for league’s official website.
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Ceiling: 12.0
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Floor: 8.7
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FanDuel over/under: 9.5
Injuries took a bit of a bite out of the Dolphins’ win total. However, head coach Mike McDaniel’s ability to scheme does take some of the sting out of that bite. For example, Tua Tagovailoa had an average time to throw of just 2.36 seconds last season, which was a tenth of a second quicker than any other quarterback. And Tua still managed to target intermediate routes (10 to 20 air yards) at the fourth-highest rate in the NFL (25 percent).
As the Dolphins navigate this early-season challenge, they face the dual task of managing player health while aiming for victories in their crucial opening games. The situation underscores the need for strategic decisions to balance immediate success with long-term roster health.
It remains to be seen whether these new developments will play into their projected record for this season. In any case, Dolphins fans will have to tune in to see if the team can surpass expectations or sink under them.
