Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 5 Preview: Giants Matchup, Four-Straight Win Chase, and Defensive Run Prep

Riding high on three consecutive wins and sole possession of first place in the AFC East, the Miami Dolphins turn their attention to a Week 5 home matchup against the New York Giants— a team struggling to find its footing at 1-3, but one that still poses unique threats with its physical defense and run-heavy offense. For the Dolphins, this game isn’t just about extending their winning streak to four; it’s about avoiding the “letdown” that often comes after beating divisional heavyweights like the Bills and Patriots, and proving they can dominate teams they’re supposed to beat. With a tough showdown against the Chiefs looming in Week 6, the Dolphins need to stay sharp, exploit the Giants’ weaknesses, and keep their momentum rolling. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 5 Preview: Giants Matchup, Four-Straight Win Chase, and Defensive Run Prep breaks down the critical storylines, from key player matchups to tactical adjustments, and explores what the Dolphins need to do to stay atop the AFC East.

The biggest challenge for the Dolphins’ offense this week will be navigating the Giants’ physical defensive front— a unit that ranks 12th in the NFL in sacks (8) and has shown flashes of dominance against the run. Led by defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (2 sacks, 15 tackles) and edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux (1 sack, 12 tackles), the Giants excel at clogging running lanes and pressuring quarterbacks with a four-man rush. For Tua Tagovailoa, this means facing constant interior pressure— something he handled well against the Bills and Patriots, but a test that will require quick decision-making and clean protection from his offensive line. Left tackle Terron Armstead and guard Kevin Zeitler will be tasked with neutralizing Thibodeaux and Lawrence, two of the most disruptive defenders in the NFC. “The Giants’ D-line is physical—they don’t give you easy yards, and they’ll try to wear you down,” offensive coordinator Frank Smith said during a Wednesday press conference. The Dolphins plan to counter with a balanced attack: leaning on Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane in the run game to keep the Giants’ defense honest, while using quick slants and screen passes to get the ball out of Tagovailoa’s hands fast. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 5 Preview: Giants Matchup, Four-Straight Win Chase, and Defensive Run Prep emphasizes this offensive challenge because the Giants have a history of slowing down explosive offenses— if the Dolphins can establish their run game and protect Tagovailoa, they’ll have a clear path to victory.

On the defensive side, the Dolphins are laser-focused on stopping the Giants’ run-heavy offense— a unit that ranks 9th in the NFL in rushing yards per game (122.5) and relies heavily on running back Saquon Barkley. Barkley, who has rushed for 342 yards and 2 touchdowns this season, is a dual threat: he can break tackles between the tackles and outrun defenders to the edge, and he’s also a dangerous receiver out of the backfield (14 catches, 89 yards). The Dolphins’ run defense, which has improved drastically since Week 2 (holding the Bills and Patriots to a combined 136 rushing yards), will need to maintain that discipline against Barkley. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who has been a force in the middle (1 sack, 22 tackles), will be key to clogging gaps, while linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Mohamed Kamara will need to contain Barkley on the edges. “Saquon is one of the best running backs in the league—we can’t let him get into a rhythm,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. The Dolphins also plan to use more nickel packages to limit Barkley’s receiving opportunities, with safety Jordan Poyer dropping into the box to assist in run support. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 5 Preview: Giants Matchup, Four-Straight Win Chase, and Defensive Run Prep highlights this defensive focus because the Giants want to control the clock with their run game— if the Dolphins can shut down Barkley, they’ll force Giants quarterback Daniel Jones into passing situations, where he’s more likely to make mistakes (Jones has thrown 4 interceptions this season).

A key priority for the Dolphins’ offense this week is keeping Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle involved, even if the Giants double-team them. The Giants’ secondary ranks 25th in the NFL in passing yards allowed (302.8 per game) and has struggled to cover elite wide receivers— in Week 3, they allowed Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb to catch 11 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown. Hill and Waddle, who have combined for 671 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns this season, will likely draw extra coverage, but the Dolphins plan to use that to their advantage: if Hill is double-teamed, Waddle will get one-on-one matchups, and vice versa. Tagovailoa has also emphasized the importance of looking to secondary receivers like tight end Durham Smythe (16 catches, 178 yards) and wide receiver Isaiah Ford (8 catches, 76 yards) when the Giants focus on his top two targets. “We have more weapons than just Tyreek and Jaylen— and this week, we’re going to show that,” Tagovailoa said. The Dolphins have spent extra time in practice working on plays that get Smythe and Ford involved in the passing game, including red-zone fade routes and intermediate crossing routes. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 5 Preview: Giants Matchup, Four-Straight Win Chase, and Defensive Run Prep explores this offensive strategy because it’s critical for the Dolphins to show they’re not a one-dimensional offense— if they can spread the ball around, they’ll keep the Giants’ defense off-balance all game.

Special teams will once again play a role in Week 5, with the Dolphins looking to capitalize on the Giants’ special teams struggles to gain an early edge. The Giants rank 28th in the NFL in punt return average (4.3 yards) and 30th in kickoff return average (17.2 yards), and they’ve already allowed one punt return touchdown this season. The Dolphins plan to use Jaylen Waddle’s speed in the return game— Waddle has averaged 9.8 yards per punt return this season— to create big plays and set up the offense in good field position. Kicker Jason Sanders, who has made all 8 of his field goal attempts this season, will also be a factor: the Giants’ kicker Graham Gano has missed 2 of his 5 attempts, and Sanders’ accuracy could be crucial in a close game. Punter Jake Bailey, who has been consistent since Week 2, will focus on pinning the Giants inside their 20-yard line— something he’s done 7 times this season— to limit New York’s offensive opportunities. “Special teams can give us a huge boost against the Giants— we just need to execute our assignments,” special teams coordinator Danny Crossman said. The Dolphins also got good news this week: long snapper Blake Ferguson, who has been dealing with a minor hip injury, is fully healthy and expected to play. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 5 Preview: Giants Matchup, Four-Straight Win Chase, and Defensive Run Prep highlights this special teams focus because the Giants’ struggles in this phase could be a easy path to points— and the Dolphins need to take advantage of every opportunity to keep their winning streak alive.

Finally, the Dolphins are laser-focused on avoiding complacency and staying mentally sharp after their three-game winning streak. Head coach Mike McDaniel has made it clear that the Giants, despite their 1-3 record, are a dangerous team— and he’s taken steps to keep the team focused, including scaling back film sessions to avoid burnout and adding a “rivalry mindset” to practice (even though the Dolphins and Giants aren’t divisional rivals). He’s also brought in former Dolphins running back Ricky Williams to speak to the team about the importance of consistency in a long NFL season. “Winning three games in a row is great, but it doesn’t mean anything if we don’t win the fourth,” McDaniel said. The players have embraced this mindset: veterans like Hill and Wilkins have led extra workouts after practice, and the team’s energy in meetings has been just as high as it was before the Bills game. The Dolphins also know that a win over the Giants will give them momentum heading into their Week 6 showdown against the Chiefs— a game that will be a true test of their Super Bowl credentials. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 5 Preview: Giants Matchup, Four-Straight Win Chase, and Defensive Run Prep concludes with this mental focus because it’s the X-factor in this game— the Dolphins have the talent to beat the Giants, but they need to be mentally ready to play their best football. With a chance to extend their winning streak to four and stay atop the AFC East, all signs point to a team that’s hungry to keep winning— and eager to prove they’re more than just a flash in the pan.