Dolphins’ potential, Jared Goff shows up, Steelers remains dangerous

Nov 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams middle linebacker Alec Ogletree (52) tackles Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) during the first half of a NFL football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Rams middle linebacker Alec Ogletree (52) tackles Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi (23) during the first half of a NFL football game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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We are now about three-quarters of the way through the NFL’s regular season. As the weather becomes colder, the divisional races are heating up in a big way.

Dolphins coming together

Yes, it was against the 49ers, but Miami looks to have a very strong young core of offensive players. Adam Gase very much looks like the right head coach for the job, especially for this young offense and the development of Miami’s quarterback. Granted, Ryan Tannehill isn’t a sure thing, but under Gase, he has shown the steady improvement that you want to see from a future franchise quarterback.

This was probably Tannehill’s best game of the season. He played far better than his stat line would indicate in a game where Miami struggled to run the ball. He excelled from within the pocket, throwing downfield and on third downs. That is great quarterbacking. Against San Francisco, the Dolphins were without their three best offensive linemen in Branden Albert, Mike Pouncey and Laremy Tunsil, who looks to be on the road to stardom as many projected when he came out of college.

Still, we can see Jay Ajayi, Jarvis Landry and DeVante Parker showing why the future of the Dolphins offense could be very encouraging. Ajayi did little in this game against a defense that has been gashed in the running game, but he is in the midst of a major breakout season nonetheless. Landry is usually as consistent and reliable as they come while Parker has emerged in a big way these past several weeks.

Parker had a touchdown narrowly called back in the first half and an excellent contorting catch on the sidelines in the third quarter that was also brought back. He was terrific, but we should monitor the extent of Parker’s back injury going forward. You throw in Kenny Stills, who had 72 receiving yards in this game and Leonte Carroo, who also could have a bright future.

There is a lot to get excited about with this Dolphins team that has now won six in a row, even if this wasn’t the prettiest of victories against a team that his now lost every game they’ve played since Week 1. San Francisco deserves some credit here too, as this is the best they have played in some time.