Inconsistencies Continue To Plague Miami Dolphins Offense

Oct 19, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive tackle Jeremiah Ratliff (90) sacks Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) during the first quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports

Coming off an embarrassing collapse down the stretch last season, the Miami Dolphins were looking to work on their offensive stability and chemistry heading into this year. The team fired offensive coordinator Mike Sherman, replacing him with Bill Lazor – formerly the quarterbacks coach of the Philadelphia Eagles. The move was made to instill much-needed confidence in the offense, while providing a new dimension moving forward. 

It didn’t take long for the fans to back the signing of Lazor. Miami looked as if they were heading in the right direction after a week one victory against the New England Patriots. The Dolphins were able to overcome a slow start, dominating New England in the second half, shutting them out 23-0.

Then the same inconsistencies from last season reappeared. The two following games were disastrous as the offense went in a different direction. It was clear that third year quarterback Ryan Tannehill struggled leading the offense. With back-to-back stagnant performances, drama infused the Dolphins locker room with rumors of a possible change at the quarterback position. This caused a lot of negative media, leaving a sour taste in the mouths of many.

The change never transpired, however. Instead, head coach Joe Philbin showed his confidence in his quarterback by dismissing any controversy. Tannehill responded with a couple of huge performances against the Oakland Raiders, Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. From the last week of September, there hasn’t been too many quarterbacks as hot as Tannehill. He is in the top five in passer rating and is completing over 70 percent of his passes.

Or, should I say he was. Yesterday, Tannehill and the offense took a major step back. For the most part, the offense struggled against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Tannehill completed a mediocre 55% of his passes for 196 yards. He also threw an inexcusable redzone interception in the fourth quarter.

Aside from his recent three game stretch, Tannehill has been mostly average this season. In seven games Tannehill has posted a QBR of below 35 four times. In these games, Tannehill has finished with a lousy five touchdowns to four interceptions. Of course, when Tannehill struggles, the offense as a whole does as well. In addition to a poor touchdown to interception ratio, the Dolphins have scored a combined twenty-three points in the first half’s of these games.

It’s obvious. The biggest challenge the Dolphins face down the road is consistency. Right now, they just don’t have it offensively and are starting to look a lot like last year’s team. Up one week, then down the next two.

Still, even with their deficiencies, Miami has won two straight games; both of which coming on the road. However, it is imperative the Dolphins continue to improve offensively. They have talent on the roster to compete. It’s just hard to compete when you consistently struggle offensively in the first half’s of games and have scoring totals of 10, 15 and 13 points.

Tannehill knows if they want to make a run at the playoffs the offense must come together and play well week in and week out.

“We didn’t perform up to our standards in any phase of the game offensively,” Tannehill said on yesterday’s performance. “It has to be better. We have to get this corrected.”

There is still some time to find some stability on the offense. They boast a top ten defense; however, it is important to have balance on both sides of the ball and now, that is not fully there.