In a league where explosive plays often steal the spotlight, the Miami Dolphins are taking a different approach. Head coach Mike McDaniel and his staff have quietly re-engineered the team’s high-octane offense, shifting the focus from quick-strike scoring to methodical, clock-chewing drives.
From Boom-or-Bust to Balanced Attack
The transformation began in the offseason when star receiver Tyreek Hill foreshadowed the need for change. Despite the Dolphins boasting the NFL’s top offense in total yards last season, Hill recognized the limitations of relying too heavily on big plays.
“For us, going back and just looking at all of it from a veteran standpoint, I feel like we have to be able to stay on the field. For us, it’s either boom or bust.”
Tyreek Hill, Dolphins Wide Receiver
The numbers back up Hill’s assessment. In 2022, the Dolphins ranked near the bottom of the league in plays per drive and frequently went three-and-out. While their explosive plays were thrilling, they often left the defense gassed and the offense struggling to find a rhythm.
Sustaining Drives, Wearing Down Defenses
Enter the 2024 Dolphins. Through 11 weeks, Miami ranks fifth in the NFL in plays per drive, a stark contrast to previous seasons. They’ve recorded the fewest three-and-outs in the league and are tied for the longest average time of possession per drive.
The culmination of this offensive evolution was on full display in Week 11 against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Dolphins methodically marched down the field, scoring on eight of their nine drives, including four scoring drives of 10 or more plays.
“I think last year we might have had three drives that were 14-plus plays the entire year. So it has been a focus of ours in anticipation of how guys were going to defend us…”
Mike McDaniel, Dolphins Head Coach
Tagovailoa’s Efficiency, Tight End Emergence
Central to Miami’s offensive transformation has been the play of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Since returning from injury in Week 8, Tagovailoa ranks fifth in the NFL in Total QBR. His yards per attempt may be down, but it has led to a league-leading 77.7% completion rate.
Tagovailoa credits the offensive shift for his improved efficiency, noting the importance of “taking the checkdowns” and “allowing our runners in space to go get first downs.” This approach has also seen the emergence of tight end Jonnu Smith, who turned in a career-high 101 receiving yards and two touchdowns against the Raiders.
Third Down Dominance
Perhaps the most striking evidence of Miami’s offensive evolution is their third-down efficiency. The Dolphins have converted a league-leading 60.4% of their third downs since Week 8, including an astonishing 50% on third-and-7 or longer.
Tagovailoa’s precision passing has been instrumental in this success. In Week 10 against the Rams, he completed passes of 36 and 25 yards on third-and-13 and third-and-19, respectively, keeping drives alive and demoralizing the defense.
Still Work to Be Done
Despite the Dolphins’ offensive strides, they find themselves in a precarious position. A 2-6 start, largely due to Tagovailoa’s early-season injury, has them fighting an uphill battle for a playoff spot. Even after back-to-back wins, Miami remains 4.5 games behind the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills.
However, with a favorable matchup against the Patriots on the horizon and Tagovailoa at the helm, the Dolphins believe there is still time to right the ship. As Jonnu Smith put it, “Best in the world. You’ve got the best quarterback in the world. Makes things a lot easier for everybody else.”
The NFL is a league that often favors the bold, with explosive offenses capturing headlines and highlight reels. But in a season where defenses are selling out to stop the big play, the Miami Dolphins are proving that sustaining drives, controlling the clock, and consistently moving the chains can be just as effective – and perhaps even more crucial to long-term success.
