There was a surprise or two (or more) in an exciting Week 5. So how did the Thursday and Sunday results affect the latest NFL Power Rankings?
Recap: Looking for positives? Good luck. All four of the Dolphins’ losses this season are by 20-plus points and Brian Flores’ squad has been outscored a combined 163-26. The team has scored two touchdowns and has not managed a single point in the second half this season, outscored a combined 81-0 after intermission. Miami’s defensive unit has surrendered 19 offensive touchdowns, including a dozen through the air. Flores’ club has managed only five sacks and two takeaways.
But this is a franchise that has sadly picked up where it left off late last season. All told, the ‘Fins have dropped seven consecutive games by a combined score of 263-67 dating back to Week 15 of 2018.
Next Week: Flores’ club returns to action in Week 6 and host the equally-struggling Washington Redskins. It’s the first meeting between these two-time Super Bowl foes since 2015, when the Dolphins came away with a 17-10 victory at FedExField. Eight years ago when the Dolphins last hosted this series, Miami came up with a 20-9 victory.
Playoff hopes: Are these Dolphins capable of turning things around? The team is off to its worst start since opening 0-7 in 2011. That club actually won six of its final nine contests. But the bottom line remains that this franchise has reached the postseason just twice since 2002. And this club bears no resemblance to a playoff team.
Recap: Early last week, Jay Gruden was mum about his starting quarterback after Dwayne Haskins took over for a struggling Case Keenum in last week’s loss to the Giants. And on Friday, the head coach announced that Colt McCoy would get the nod against the defending Super Bowl champion Patriots.
The Redskins would take an early 7-0 lead but that would be the end of the scoring of the day as Gruden’s club managed only 220 yards and McCoy was sacked six times. Meanwhile, Washington’s defensive unit held its own for a spell, sacking Tom Brady four times and stealing one of his passes. But Greg Manusky’s unit would allow 442 total yards and three touchdown passes.
Next Week: Gruden’s team faces an AFC East foe for the second straight Sunday as they head to South Florida to take on the winless Miami Dolphins. Washington has dropped their last two meetings with the ‘Fins, the latest a 17-10 setback in 2015 in D.C. And the Redskins are 0-5 lifetime on the road in this series dating back to 1981.
Playoff hopes: The last time the Redskins lost their first five games was back in 2001. Obviously, that season didn’t result in a postseason appearance because no team that’s opened 0-5 has ever reached the playoffs. Washington’s offense continues to struggle after what looked like some early-season promise. Is Gruden firmly on the hot seat?
Next: Nos. 30 and 29