Miami Dolphins: Keys To The Season

Finishing the season with a loss to a divisional opponent was a heartbreaking moment for Miami Dolphins fans for the 2022-2023 season. The game was close enough despite running with their 3rd-string quarterback, but ultimately Miami would go on to lose. How do they prevent a similar letdown in 2023?

A Healthy Tua Tagovailoa

Let’s get that one right out of the way because it’s obvious. The offense was way more competitive and explosive in the first half of the season with a healthy starting quarterback. The chemistry between Tua, Waddle, and Tyreek Hill was a dangerous threat to opposing defenses and Miami only added to their riches in the offseason. Now the key will be finally finding consistency and stability on the offensive line, but that has been an ongoing thing for the Dolphins for years. If the offensive line can’t keep Tua Tagovailoa upright, Miami might need to have a good backup plan.

Related: Was The Draft Enough For the Miami Dolphins

Commit to the Run Game

Too many times last season the Miami Dolphins abandoned the run. They’ve got speedy backs who were racking up the yards per carry. They averaged 4.3 ypc as a team while their top backs, Mostert and Wilson Jr., were closer to 5.0. Neither were given prominent roles in the offense. Now the team brought back both for the 2023 season and added Devon Archane via the draft. If the commitment is to Tua Tagovailoa and his health then the run game needs to be more involved. Tua still needs to have explosive plays downfield, but getting teed off on in the pocket needs to be avoided as much as possible.

Return To Form On Defense

Miami knew their defense wasn’t it in 2022. They can blame injuries, blame the coaching, blame the gameplan but it doesn’t matter. They never had the same explosiveness as they did the year before. With that, they fired their Defensive Coordinator to bring in Vick Fangio. Now, if Fangio can bring in a Super Bowl-caliber defense with his shiny new toys then it will all be worth it. However, the AFC has a ton of young and talented quarterbacks. Miami has always played bend-but-don’t-break defense but they will be tested. They’ll need to return to being able to turn the ball over as well as they did the year before. Taking the ball from an opponent is the best way to keep them out of the endzone.

There’s no doubt that Miami could be more competitive in 2023 but it won’t be as easy as you’d think. The division added Aaron Rodgers to an already talented division in regards to QBs. Their strength of schedule as it stands won’t do them any favors either. Mike McDaniel will have to show off his adaptability in year two. There’s a lot of game planning to do for tough competitors in 2023. Can the Miami Dolphins take that step forward into a complete and elite team?