NFL 2016: Regular season grades for every team
By John Buhler
For an organization that has been dysfunctional for so long, the Miami Dolphins got it right by hiring former Denver Broncos and Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Adam Gase as their head coach. Gase has brought the offensive mind and disciplinary culture to thrive in Miami.
The Dolphins have qualified for the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 season. Balance is what makes this team more than a flash in the pan when compared to the 2008 club. MIami can run the football with authority, can make plays in the passing game, reliable on special teams, and devastating in the pass rush.
After a 1-4 start, Game laid down the hammer and cut two offensive linemen after a poor performance against the Tennessee Titans. Miami put it all together to embarrass the Pittsburgh Steelers at home and never looked back. Expect the Dolphins to be a playoff caliber team in the AFC to close out the decade.
The only negative marks on the Dolphins this year were the injury to starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill and the belief that Miami benefited from a soft schedule. Miami won the games it should have plus a few more. Tannehill’s backup Matt Moore is solid, but don’t expect the Dolphins to do more than win one playoff game this season. It’s been a great year for the Dolphins nevertheless.