Mike McDaniel has brought an excellent offensive structure to the Miami Dolphins, and they are making big plays and scoring more points in a long time. However, if there is one criticism of his offense, he can be to pass happy with the offense. Now I get it the Dolphins have Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle making big plays, and it’s the strength of the offense, but at some point, you need to commit and run the football, especially when teams are going to try to take away the big plays down the field. 


Two weeks ago, against the San Fransisco 49ers, the Dolphins only ran the ball a total of 8 times, and it was a one-possession game in the 4th quarter. Last week, against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Dolphins ran it 19 times for 92 yards, which isn’t bad. The Dolphins weren’t doing anything throwing the ball, and teams had run the ball on the Chargers all year. Still, the Dolphins had no consistent commitment to running the ball, and they had some gains where either Jeff Wilson or Raheem Mostert got some good gains and were shoestring tackles away from a bigger gain. Last night, against the Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins ran it 25 times for 188 yards. That’s a grand total, but the problem is there were a couple of times where McDaniel’s got away from the running game when they were doing so well. In the 1st quarter, the Dolphins had a 3rd and one from the Bills’ 11-yard line, and instead of running it, they threw it. Tua Tagovailoa got sacked and fumbled it fortunately recovered, and the Dolphins settled for a field goal. Why not run it there when you have had so much success? If you are short, you could go for it with it being short yardage. Then in one sequence in the 2nd half, the Dolphins crossed midfield, had a first down inside the Bills’ 40-yard line, and decided to throw the ball. Again, why not try to run the ball when the team was doing so well at it? 


I get the Dolphins strength is throwing the ball with their dynamic receivers. Still, last night was a perfect example of why the Dolphins need to be more balanced in critical situations, especially in short yardage plays and when the game is close. McDaniel is getting a little too cute with his playcalling. He came from the 49ers and was their running game coordinator, and they had a physical style; why isn’t he doing that consistently? 


I understand Wilson didn’t play last night, and Mostert had been on a play count with his knee; at least, that’s how I see it. However, in every game he has played this year, Mostert has shown a good burst on a couple of runs a game and is a shoestring tackle away from breaking one. The Dolphins should just commit to the running game. It’s possible that McDaniel doesn’t have a running back that he is confident with, especially with Wilson out, but that’s a story for another day when no running back is under contract next year 


The Dolphins will most likely make the playoffs, and if they are going to have a chance at being successful, they must commit to the running game. The playoff teams have better defense and with the weather colder the big passing plays tend to go down. McDaniel must take a long look at his running game. 

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