2016 Record (6-1, 1-1 AFC East)
REVIEW
A 35-14 beat down at the hands of the Buffalo Bills put a damper on what was looking to be a historic 2016 run for the Miami Dolphins. During their Week #8 Bye, the team seemingly fell out of favor around the entire NFL as a has-been.
However, the 6-1 Dolphins can now play the 'disrespect' card that propelled them to the 2015 Super Bowl title.
Run away victories over the Seahawks, Patriots, Browns, Bengals and Titans have been long forgotten as everyone will look to see if rookie Jacoby Brissett can rebound from the worst game of his short NFL career.
BEST ACQUISITION
Runningback Chris Ivory strolled into town and took the lead back duties away from Thomas Rawls from day one. Although being the #2 back in Miami is comparable to being a bell-cow for other teams, Ivory's status as one of the league's most punishing runners has been enhanced with some of his performances for the Dolphins as their RB1.
Due to their commitment to split carries amongst all their backs, Ivory will likely not lead the league in rushing, but his 7.8 yards per carry average has been turning heads all season.
BIGGEST BUST
Linebacker Reggie Ragland seemed to be a good fit when the Dolphins snagged him in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. However, injuries derailed the rookie's ability to quickly transition into first-year playing time before he was sent away to San Diego to be replaced by promising second year player Denzel Perryman.
The Dolphins are in win-now mode after their 6-1 start - their lack of patience with Ragland proves that point.
MID-SEASON OFFENSIVE & DEFENSIVE MVPS
Offensive MVP: LT Lane Johnson
Anyone who carries the ball in Miami is going to do well. That starts up front. Lane Johnson has been an absolute monster all season for the Dolphins. His 10-game suspension is devastating news for the team (although coaxing Phil Loadholt out of retirement has softened the blow). Runs to the left side of the Miami offense always gained yards with #69 plowing the way.
Defensive MVP: LE Courtney Upshaw
Upshaw's 6.0 sacks and countless quarterback pressures have been an unexpected bonus for a player who's job coming in was to simply set the edge for run defense.
The Alabama product has outpaced All-Pro Khalil Mack in most statistical categories (to be fair Mack is continuously facing double-teams all game long).
SECOND HALF SCHEDULE ANALYSIS AND PREDICTIONS
vs New York Jets L
@ San Diego L
@ Los Angeles W
vs San Francisco W
@ Baltimore W
vs Arizona W
@ New York Jets W
@ Buffalo L
vs New England W
The Dolphins suffer through a 3-game losing streak only to end the season winning six of their last seven to finish as the AFC's #5 seed. A Divisional Round matchup with the #2 Jacksonville Jaguars would be the only thing standing in the way of an all-AFC East battle for a trip to the Super Bowl.
