Inside the Numbers Breakdown Shared by the Miami Dolphins

As the Miami Dolphins gear up for the final push of the NFL season, the team’s analytics department recently shared a detailed “inside the numbers” breakdown—offering a data-driven look at the team’s performance across offense, defense, and special teams. Unlike generic stats shared in post-game recaps, this breakdown dives into advanced metrics, situational trends, and player-specific efficiency ratings, all designed to highlight strengths, pinpoint weaknesses, and inform strategy for upcoming high-stakes matchups. For fans, analysts, and even opposing teams, this data isn’t just a collection of figures—it’s a window into how the Dolphins’ coaching staff evaluates success and plans for victory. Inside the Numbers Breakdown Shared by the Miami Dolphins unpacks the most revealing insights from this report and what they mean for the team’s playoff aspirations.

The offensive section of the breakdown is headlined by the Dolphins’ elite rushing efficiency—a stat that helps explain why their run game has been one of the league’s most dominant. According to the data, the Dolphins rank 2nd in the NFL in rushing yards per attempt (5.2) and 1st in rushing touchdowns (20), with running back Raheem Mostert leading the charge. The breakdown goes deeper, though, highlighting situational success: on 3rd-and-short (2 yards or less), the Dolphins convert 78% of their rushing attempts—far above the league average of 62%. This efficiency is tied to their offensive line performance, as the data shows the line allows a pressure rate of just 18% on running plays, the 4th-lowest in the NFL. “Our rushing success isn’t just about talent—it’s about execution in high-leverage situations,” said offensive coordinator Frank Smith, who referenced the data in a recent press conference. The breakdown also notes a minor red flag: the Dolphins’ passing efficiency drops by 15% when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is under pressure, a stat that underscores the importance of keeping the offensive line healthy. Inside the Numbers Breakdown Shared by the Miami Dolphins emphasizes that the rushing data isn’t just impressive—it’s a strategic cornerstone the team will lean on in tough matchups.

On the defensive side, the breakdown reveals a mixed bag of strengths and areas for improvement, with one standout metric: the Dolphins’ ability to force turnovers. The data shows they rank 3rd in the NFL in takeaways (26), with 14 interceptions and 12 fumble recoveries, and they’re particularly effective in the red zone—forcing a turnover on 12% of opponent red zone drives, the 2nd-highest rate in the league. Cornerback Xavien Howard leads the team with 3 interceptions, but the breakdown highlights depth: 8 different defensive players have recorded at least one takeaway this season, showing a team-wide focus on creating turnovers. However, the data also exposes a weakness: the Dolphins rank 22nd in run defense, allowing 120.5 rushing yards per game, and they struggle to stop opposing teams on 1st-and-10 (allowing a 4.8-yard average per carry). Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio acknowledged this gap, saying, “The turnover numbers are great, but we can’t let run defense take away from that success.” The breakdown suggests adjustments, such as using more 3-4 defensive sets to shore up the interior line—a tweak the Dolphins have already started testing in practice. Inside the Numbers Breakdown Shared by the Miami Dolphins makes it clear that while the defense has playmaking ability, fixing run defense is critical for playoff success.

The Miami Dolphins’ special teams numbers, often overlooked in broader analyses, get a full spotlight in the breakdown—and the data shows why this unit has been a quiet strength. The Dolphins rank 8th in the NFL in net punting average (42.1 yards) thanks to punter Jake Bailey, who has landed 38% of his punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line (the 6th-highest rate in the league). Kicker Jason Sanders also shines, with an 87% field goal conversion rate—including a perfect 10-for-10 on attempts between 30-39 yards—and he’s never missed an extra point this season. The breakdown even highlights less glamorous stats, like kickoff return coverage: the Dolphins allow just 19.2 yards per kickoff return, the 7th-lowest in the league, thanks to strong tackling from special teams contributors like linebacker Duke Riley. “Special teams wins close games, and these numbers prove we’re built to compete in those moments,” said special teams coordinator Danny Crossman. The Miami Dolphins’ data also notes a small area for growth: punt return average (7.3 yards per return, 18th in the NFL), but Crossman said the team is testing new return schemes to improve that metric. Inside the Numbers Breakdown Shared by the Miami Dolphins underscores that special teams isn’t an afterthought—it’s a competitive advantage.

Another key section of the Miami Dolphins’ breakdown focuses on player-specific efficiency, with a deep dive into Tagovailoa’s performance in high-pressure situations. The data shows Tagovailoa has a 102.3 passer rating when not under pressure—ranking 7th among NFL quarterbacks—but that rating drops to 72.8 when pressured, which is 24th in the league. However, the breakdown adds context: when given at least 3 seconds to throw, Tagovailoa completes 72% of his passes and has 21 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions. This data helps explain why the Dolphins prioritize pass protection, and it aligns with their offensive line’s low pressure rate (19% of dropbacks, 9th-lowest in the NFL). The breakdown also highlights wide receiver Tyreek Hill’s historic season: he’s on pace for 1,800 receiving yards, which would be the 5th-highest single-season total in NFL history, and he’s particularly effective on deep passes—catching 70% of targets 20+ yards downfield (the highest rate among top-10 wide receivers). “Tyreek’s deep-ball efficiency changes how defenses play us,” Smith said. The Miami Dolphins’ player data isn’t just for show—it’s used to design game plans, like targeting Hill on deep routes when the offensive line can buy Tagovailoa time. Inside the Numbers Breakdown Shared by the Miami Dolphins shows that every pass, catch, and tackle is tracked to maximize player performance.

Finally, the Miami Dolphins’ breakdown includes a “situational football” section—data that reveals how the team performs in the most critical moments of games. The numbers show the Dolphins excel in the fourth quarter, with a 105.6 passer rating from Tagovailoa and a 4th-down conversion rate of 68% (the highest in the NFL). They’re also strong in close games (decided by 7 points or less), with a 6-2 record this season, and the data attributes this success to their turnover differential (+12) in those games—they’ve forced 11 turnovers and committed just 3. However, the breakdown also shows a weakness: the Dolphins struggle when trailing by more than 7 points at halftime, with a 1-3 record and a 69.2 passer rating from Tagovailoa in those scenarios. “We’re great at closing games, but we need to avoid falling behind early,” McDaniel said. The Miami Dolphins’ coaching staff uses this situational data to practice specific scenarios, like trailing in the first half or converting 4th downs in the red zone, ensuring the team is prepared for any game situation. Inside the Numbers Breakdown Shared by the Miami Dolphins concludes that while raw stats tell part of the story, situational performance is what separates contenders from pretenders—and the Dolphins’ data suggests they’re built to win when it matters most. For fans, this breakdown isn’t just numbers—it’s proof that the team’s success is rooted in strategy, not just luck.