fisi
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The main problems for this offense have been
1- poor field position
2- 3rd down conversions
3- the passing game
4- playing from behind so often
Let’s start with the poor field position. Miami’s offense has been playing on the long side of the field too often. Poor special teams play combined with the ever-losing battle of field position are the main culprits here. Their average starting field position is their own 25 yard line, which ranks 26th in the NFL. They are traveling 16.4 yards per point and that ranks 23rd. It doesn’t take a scientist to figure out that you are not going to drive the ball down the field at a high rate if you have farther to go than 81% of the league.
Field position isn’t the Dolphins only problem. After the drive starts, Lazor has failed to keep his team on the field. They rank at the bottom at the league in average drive length, in time they stand at 29th in the league, and in number of plays they are 31st in the league. Not only does this limit them on the field, but it also keeps their defense on the field longer than their offense. Miami has spent 53% of the season on the defensive side of the ball.
The main reason for Miami’s failure on offense is their inability to convert on 3rd down. They are only converting 27.2 percent of their third downs, which is the second worst conversion rate in the NFL. Miami fails to produce on first and second down, which gets them caught in third and long situations. No NFL team converts 3rd and long at a high rate, especially one that has the NFL’s 7th worst passing attack.
Ryan Tannehill had a great season last year, but has struggled much of this year. The Dolphin’s passing game is 26th in yards (3898), 20th in interceptions (10), and they have given up the 7th most sacks (30). You can blame the offensive line, as you can see from the sack total, and the fact that this team is often playing from behind.
The Miami Dolphins have a point differential of -44 points as of right now and they are on pace for -70 by the year’s end. If this trend continues, it would be the worst differential for the team since the 1-15 2007 season. That means this team has spent a lot of time trailing in games.
When you are behind, of course you are going to pass more and run the ball less. This theme shows in the stats. Miami has dropped back to pass nearly 69% of plays this season. The Detroit Lions are the only team that have less rushing attempts than the Dolphins. This not only puts more pressure on Tannehill, but it also shuts down the best part of their offense. The Dolphins’ running attack is averaging 4.8 yards per carry. That is the 4th best average of 2015.
All of these factors have contributed to this offense failing far more than it has succeeded. This team has already gotten rid of its head coach.
Bill Lazor will likely be gone with the hiring of a new head coach, to which most Dolphins fans will say good riddance.
http://www.dolphinssidelinereport.com/offensive-woes/
1- poor field position
2- 3rd down conversions
3- the passing game
4- playing from behind so often
Let’s start with the poor field position. Miami’s offense has been playing on the long side of the field too often. Poor special teams play combined with the ever-losing battle of field position are the main culprits here. Their average starting field position is their own 25 yard line, which ranks 26th in the NFL. They are traveling 16.4 yards per point and that ranks 23rd. It doesn’t take a scientist to figure out that you are not going to drive the ball down the field at a high rate if you have farther to go than 81% of the league.
Field position isn’t the Dolphins only problem. After the drive starts, Lazor has failed to keep his team on the field. They rank at the bottom at the league in average drive length, in time they stand at 29th in the league, and in number of plays they are 31st in the league. Not only does this limit them on the field, but it also keeps their defense on the field longer than their offense. Miami has spent 53% of the season on the defensive side of the ball.
The main reason for Miami’s failure on offense is their inability to convert on 3rd down. They are only converting 27.2 percent of their third downs, which is the second worst conversion rate in the NFL. Miami fails to produce on first and second down, which gets them caught in third and long situations. No NFL team converts 3rd and long at a high rate, especially one that has the NFL’s 7th worst passing attack.
Ryan Tannehill had a great season last year, but has struggled much of this year. The Dolphin’s passing game is 26th in yards (3898), 20th in interceptions (10), and they have given up the 7th most sacks (30). You can blame the offensive line, as you can see from the sack total, and the fact that this team is often playing from behind.
The Miami Dolphins have a point differential of -44 points as of right now and they are on pace for -70 by the year’s end. If this trend continues, it would be the worst differential for the team since the 1-15 2007 season. That means this team has spent a lot of time trailing in games.
When you are behind, of course you are going to pass more and run the ball less. This theme shows in the stats. Miami has dropped back to pass nearly 69% of plays this season. The Detroit Lions are the only team that have less rushing attempts than the Dolphins. This not only puts more pressure on Tannehill, but it also shuts down the best part of their offense. The Dolphins’ running attack is averaging 4.8 yards per carry. That is the 4th best average of 2015.
All of these factors have contributed to this offense failing far more than it has succeeded. This team has already gotten rid of its head coach.
Bill Lazor will likely be gone with the hiring of a new head coach, to which most Dolphins fans will say good riddance.
http://www.dolphinssidelinereport.com/offensive-woes/
