Dolphins get a victory at home after an embarrassing road trip which resulted in back to back losses. The team stands at 4-2 and as they are nearing the midway point of the season, I thought it would be fun to see who is playing well as of late, who has gone quiet and basically who is just somewhere in the middle.

WHO’S HOT?

1) Albert Wilson- In the first 3 games, Wilson had 8 receptions for 142 yards and 2 TDs. The last 3 games, he has 15 receptions for 217 yards as well as 2 TDs. Gase continues to incorporate Wilson into his-game plan and with good reason.

2) Jason Sanders- Sanders is a very accurate kicker as he has yet to miss a field goal when his number is called. In the season opener, he was 2/2 with his longest field goal being for 30 yards. The last 2 games though, he is 4/4 with his shortest kick being from 42 yards away.

 

WHO’S NOT?

1) Matt Haack- Through the first 3 games, he had 8 punts inside the 20 with an average of 63 yards a punt. However, the last 3 games, he has had 6 punts inside the 20 with an average of 53 yards.

2) Jakeem Grant- Grant started the first 3 games with 9 receptions for 135 yards and 2 TDs. But, the last 3, he has had 5 receptions for 49 yards and no touchdowns.

 

SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE?

1) Vincent Taylor- Has 6 less tackles than what he had at the beginning of the year, but he matches everywhere else up as he has had a sack, a QB hit and 2 tackles for a loss in each 3-game segments.

2) Xavien Howard- Howard has not been the interception machine that he was at the start of the year. But, through both 3-game segments he has mustered up 5 tackles. In the second 3-game segment, he has 1 PD, 1 TFL and 1 fumble recovery as opposed to his first 3 games where he had 5 tackles, 4 PDs and 3 INTs.

 

Even though it doesn’t show on the offense, Grant continues to be a valuable special teams’ player. He had a punt return for a td for 71 yards against the Bengals last week. Taylor also brings special teams’ value as he blocked 2 field goals against the Bengals to help secure the Dolphins lead. It’s also clear to me, that teams are aware of Howard and aren’t testing him like they were at the beginning of the year. He just needs to fight through it and his opportunities will come again.