The Good, Bad and Ugly of Week 5 Miami Dolphins defeat New England Patriots

The Miami Dolphins ended their three-game losing streak on Sunday when they traveled to Foxborough, Massachusetts, to face their AFC East cellarmates, the New England Patriots, by a score of 15-10 in Week 5 of the 2024 NFL season defeated.

Yes, it was an ugly loss, but as we often say when the good guys emerge victorious in games like these, ugly wins are always better than pretty losses. In fact, this ugly win was the only victory won by an AFC East team in Week 5, as the New York Jets lost to the Minnesota Vikings and the Buffalo Bills lost to the Houston Texans, in addition to the Dolphins defeating the Pats.

Suddenly Miami is just one game behind in the division standings heading into BYE week six.

Oh, how things can change in just six days.

GOOD

The Dolphins’ commitment to running the game allows for a hard-fought victory

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel made a name for himself in NFL circles as the San Francisco 49ers’ running game coordinator before becoming head coach in Miami ahead of the 2022 season. During his time at South Florida, McDaniel called it one of the most pass-heavy offensive programs in all of football. That’s been a good thing for the Dolphins in recent years, but in 2024, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sidelined by another concussion, many fans hoped McDaniel would place more emphasis on letting his stable of talented running backs take control Play against “weaker” teams.

That hadn’t happened before Sunday, and McDaniel persistently urged his backup quarterbacks to do their best in Tagovailoa, to no avail. Against the Patriots, however, McDaniel returned to his roots – particularly on Miami’s only touchdown drive – and racked up 193 yards rushing, including 86 yards from rookie Jaylen Wright and 80 yards from veteran Raheem Mostert. Fullback Alec Ingold scored Miami’s go-ahead touchdown, a go-ahead that proved to be the nail in the coffin against the Patriots.

BAD

Miami’s defense continues to struggle against the run

Speaking of the running game…

The Dolphins have struggled with opposing running backs in 2024 – something many fans feared would happen with the loss of defensive tackle Christian Wilkins in the offseason.

On Sunday, they gave up 151 rushing yards to the Patriots at 7.9 yards per tote. They gave up massive singles to Rhamondre Stevenson (33 yards) and Antonio Gibson (24 yards), with Stevenson’s long run providing New England’s only touchdown.

When Miami returns from Week 6’s BYE, they will likely face Colts running back Jonathan Taylor and potentially very mobile quarterback Anthony Richardson. They’ll have to deal with their front seven if they don’t want to get smashed on the floor again.

UGLY

Miami’s special unit tries everything to lose the game

For several seasons now, Dolphins fans have been clamoring for Mike McDaniel to fire special teams coordinator Danny Crossman from his position with the club.

On Sunday, Crossman’s special unit once again made several disastrous blunders, making Miami’s victory much closer than it should have been.

Jason Sanders missed a 41-yard field goal at the end of the first quarter, sending the ball off the New England goal post. Near the end of the first half, Sanders made a 46-yard throw, but a penalty nullified the attempt. On the ensuing 51-yard attempt, long snapper Blake Ferguson botched the snap and Sanders didn’t even make the kick.

It wasn’t just the field goal unit that struggled on Sunday, the Dolphins also suffered a blocked punt against the Patriots deep in their own territory.

No doubt the calls for Crossman’s job will only get louder now, even though the Dolphins were able to leave Gillette Stadium with the win.

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The Dolphins are 2-3 this season, just one game behind the Buffalo Bills in the win column for AFC East supremacy. Tua Tagovailoa looks set to return in week eight against the Arizona Cardinals. What expectations do you have for the team if that happens? Is it crazy to think they could have a shot at the playoffs? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter at @MBrave13. Fins up!