Miami Dolphins: What We Learned After Week 3 Blowout

We can talk stats and records all day, but there’s more to the Miami Dolphins win against the Denver Broncos than just numbers so let’s dive into it.

Reserves Do Well

Regarding talent, the Miami Dolphins might be stacked more than initially thought on offense. Devon Achane was said to have an impressive camp before getting hurt in the preseason and now it’s showing up on the field. We knew Raheem Mostert would lead the rushing attack with Achane getting touches occasionally. However the Dolphins might have a two-headed if not three-headed monster on their hands in the backfield with a healthy Jeff Wilson Jr. Achane might have taken some touches from him in the future, but Miami might be able to throw out whoever they want at RB.

Not At Full Strength

The Dolphins have looked like one of the top offenses in the NFL. In doing so, they haven’t even had their full potential on the field at the same time. After missing one game Achane provided a nice spark. This was also the first time Terron Armstead was on the field this season. With that in mind, it was the first game Jaylen Waddle missed this season. Miami just hung 70 on the Broncos without their second-best player. They have yet to have Waddle, Hill, and Armstead on the field this season. Their offensive line looked good without their best starting lineman. They ran all over the Pats without him as well. It’ll be interesting to see if the offense is just this good or still has a next level to achieve.

More Miami Dolphins: What We Learned After Week 1

Defense Is Improving

The defense wasn’t at their best in week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers. They buckled down against the Pats then really came alive with turnovers against the Broncos. Can they take a huge stride this week against Buffalo where they’ll need to make an even bigger statement? Josh Allen typically has his way with the Dolphins. Vic Fangio has Miami looking like a cleaner defense but isn’t getting as many turnovers or sacks. But as a fan, does it really matter? Would you rather get a bunch of turnovers and sacks and have them do nothing after the fact or play bend-but-don’t-break on defense with an explosive offense? Currently, the defense only has to do enough to keep the offense in the lead. Should Miami be leaving some in the tank for the late-season push?

Tyreek Recovers

If the Miami Dolphins want to get Tyreek Hill over 2,000 yards this NFL season, they made up for his 40-yard performance this week. Hill finished with 157 yards and is back on pace for 2,000 with 412 yards through three games. If he can average 125 yards per game he’d get there in the traditional 16-game season so the record would be his alone. Right now, he’s +37 yards of that pace. The only problem is, he’ll face another division opponent in the Buffalo Bills this week. Somehow division opponents find ways to contain Tyreek where everyone else fails. Will this be his statement game this week?

While the Miami Dolphins looked amazing against the Denver Broncos, it’s hard to get excited about that kind of performance knowing it is just the Broncos. Look that good against the Chiefs or Bills and there will be no doubt in anyone’s mind, but since it’s Denver it almost comes with an asterisk. Will they look this good in week 4 against Buffalo?