In a season where offensive performance across the league has generally been lower, the Miami Dolphins are standing out as an exception.
The Dolphins have been on fire, averaging an impressive 498.7 yards and 37.2 points per game. Their 8.0 yards-per-play average surpasses all other teams by a considerable margin. They’ve had explosive plays of 20 yards or more on a remarkable 10.2% of their plays, nearly doubling the league average of 5.6%. Scoring on a league-high 50% of their drives, they lead in TruMedia’s version of EPA/play, which is nearly twice as high as the third-place Buffalo Bills.
A significant factor contributing to their success is the blazing speed of their core skill-position players, such as Tyreek Hill, Raheem Mostert, De’Von Achane, and Jaylen Waddle. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa plays a pivotal role with his quick decision-making and pinpoint accuracy, leading the league in EPA/dropback. He releases his throws rapidly, and despite some critics suggesting he primarily throws short passes, he ranks among the top quarterbacks in throws over 21 yards.
What makes the Dolphins’ offense even more impressive is its design, orchestrated by Mike McDaniel and his team. They layer various concepts that capitalize on their players’ strengths and create confusion for opponents, increasing the likelihood of explosive plays.
One of the key concepts is the “cheat” motion, where a player lines up inside and then motions outside to change the number count and gain a running start on a route. This motion is used creatively for screens and deceptive plays, causing havoc for defenses.
Another notable concept is the shotgun sweep, with the handoff occurring behind the quarterback. This look, borrowed from McDaniel’s time with the 49ers, has been used effectively with Mostert, Achane, and Hill. The Dolphins have added further complexity by faking the sweep and executing passes or additional handoffs.
Their end-around package is among the best in the NFL, and they incorporate it in various ways, such as faking dives, using motion men as lead blockers, and creating multiple blockers for the end-around man.
One play that stands out is a triple fake that bewilders opposing defenses, involving a fake inside run, fake end-around, and a backward shovel pass, which the Dolphins scored twice in a game.
In summary, the Dolphins’ offensive creativity and utilization of their speed make them the most explosive offense in the league, with innovative concepts that perplex opposing defenses and create a scoring machine not seen in a long time.
