The Miami Dolphins are off to a 4-6 start and likely are headed to their seventh consecutive non-playoff season.
However, it’s not all bad for Miami. To celebrate the holiday, here are five reasons for the Dolphins to be thankful:
No. 1: Plenty of mediocrity in AFC
Why: When you take away the undefeated New England Patriots (10-0) and the 8-2 Cincinnati Bengals, there is plenty of mediocrity in the AFC. That has allowed the Dolphins, despite being two games below .500, to be within one game of the second wild card, which is currently held by the Kansas City Chiefs (5-5). The tough part for Miami is five other teams are within one game of Kansas City. One of these teams will get hot down the stretch, and the Dolphins are hopeful that it is them.
No. 2: Reshad Jones
Why: Has there been a better and more consistent safety in the NFL this season? If so, the list is very short. Jones has been a good safety for a while but has taken the next step to being a great, Pro Bowl-level player this season. Jones has a team-high 91 tackles, two sacks and three huge interceptions. Two picks were taken back for touchdowns and another was a game-saving interception in the end zone off Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez. The Dolphins are 3-0 this season when Jones gets his hands on the ball. He’s been the tone-setter and Miami’s most consistent player.
No. 3: Tannehill’s toughness
Why: Ryan Tannehill gets criticized for a lot of things, but one area you cannot question Miami’s starting quarterback is his toughness. He will start his 59th consecutive game on Sunday against the New York Jets. Tannehill started in Week 1 as a rookie in 2012 and has reliably started under center every game since. What’s even more commendable is Tannehill has taken a pounding and continues to bounce back. He’s been sacked 169 times in three-plus seasons. That’s a lot of big hits, but Tannehill keeps on ticking.
No. 4: Ndamukong Suh
Why: The Dolphins made a major financial commitment to pay Suh $114 million this offseason, which includes $60 million guaranteed. Fortunately for Miami, Suh has played well and continued his dominance in Miami. Suh has been the team’s best player for at least the past month. He started a bit slow but has stepped up his game, especially after Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Wake went down for the season with an Achilles tear. Suh has 39 tackles, four sacks and remains one of the top defensive tackles in the NFL.
No. 5: Running back duo
Why: The Dolphins do not run the football nearly enough. But when they do, starting tailback Lamar Miller and emerging rookie Jay Ajayi have been an impressive tandem. Miami’s running game is averaging 4.8 yards per run. The issue is the offense has the tendency to become too pass heavy. Miller, who averages 5.0 yards per carry, and Ajayi, who averages 6.8 yards per carry, should become more of a focal point of the offense down the stretch.