The Miami Dolphins have, throughout the course of the first 9 weeks of the 2020 NFL season, surpassed a lot of expectations. And with the Dolphins lapping the standard set by this very same football team just one year ago, Miami should be well on their way to reshaping how the football world perceives their program.
Sleep on the Miami Dolphins at your own risk — this 2020 version is far from the miserable 2019 squad that had to scrap their way to 5-11. How much better? We’re glad you asked. Here’s a look at the 2020 Dolphins through 8 games versus the 2019 Miami Dolphins through 8 games of last season’s schedule.
2020 Points per game: 27.8
2019 Points per game: 12.9
Difference: +14.9 points per game
2020 Total points: 222
2019 Total points: 103
Difference: +119 points
2020 Points allowed per game: 20.1
2019 Points allowed per game: 32.0
Difference: -11.9 points per game
2020 Total points allowed: 161
2019 Total points allowed: 256
Difference: -95 points
2020 Yards per game: 322.9
2019 Yards per game: 262.3
Difference: +60.6 yards per game
2020 Passing yards per game: 225.8
2019 Passing yards per game: 198.5
Difference: +27.3 yards per game
2020 Rushing yards per game: 97.1
2019 Rushing yards per game: 63.8
Difference: +33.3 yards per game
2020 Yards allowed per game: 384.3
2019 Yards allowed per game: 402.4
Difference: -18.1 yards per game
2020 Passing yards allowed per game: 252.5
2019 Passing yards allowed per game: 251.6
Difference: +0.9 yards per game
2020 Rushing yards allowed per game: 131.8
2019 Rushing yards allowed per game: 150.8
Difference: -19.0 yards per game
2020 Turnovers per game: 1.13
2019 Turnovers per game: 2.13
Difference: -1.00 per game
2020 Turnovers forced per game: 1.75
2019 Turnovers forced per game: 0.50
Difference: +1.25 per game
2020 Sacks allowed: 14
2019 Sacks allowed: 32
Difference: -18
2020 Defensive sacks: 20
2019 Defensive sacks: 12
Difference: +8
2020 Wins: 5
2019 Wins: 1
Difference: +4
The only measured figure above that featured a worse result in 2020 for the Miami Dolphins is passing yards allowed per game — and that makes sense. When opposing teams aren’t up by 3 scores late in the game and must chase down the Dolphins on the scoreboard, they’re going to get hollow yards. The Los Angeles Rams game is a great example. Revisiting this at the end of the season should be a treat for Miami fans; given the progress the team has already shown and what lies ahead for the taking.
But for now, Miami will continue to prove week in and week out that they’re not a pushover anymore and lap the expectations of the 2019 club.