Miami Dolphins: Schedule, record prediction, X-factors for 2021 NFL season

Miami Dolphins X-Factors for Success

2. Brian Flores continuing his strong leadership

When Flores entered his position with the Dolphins, expectations were high. The head coach had just come from a season as defensive coordinator under Bill Belichick at the Patriots in 2018. To close that year, the Patriots competed in the lowest-scoring Super Bowl in living memory against the LA Rams largely thanks to the fantastic work done by Flores with the defensive core.

Coming on board to the middling Dolphins was always going to be a challenge, and so it proved in the 2019 season. The team finished with the league’s worst points allowed total and a record of 5-11. After a year with his charges and time to coach and implement his ethos, Flores transformed the unit into a fearsome prospect for opposition offenses. Only five teams conceded more last year, and the team was propelled to a 10-6 record through the 2020 season.

The strength of Flores’ leadership and the ability to inspire his charges to these kinds of improvements is crucial to their performance in the 2021 season. The team led the league in takeaways last year, showing the fight and desire they have to play under this regime. Balancing excellent play on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball is now the concern for Flores’ third year.

Fans shouldn’t be too worried about his ability to execute, though. If he continues to improve team performance year on year as he has, they will be contenders for the AFC East crown this year.

1. Time for Tua to turn over tables 

It seems ridiculous, but after the completion of his rookie season, many pundits have been doubting the ability of Tua Tagovailoa to lead this Miami roster. Despite public backing from his coach, and his introduction to the league being done in the most unusual of circumstances, his ability to lead a roster has been put under question.

Tagovailoa split time with Ryan Fitzpatrick as the starting quarterback after struggling against NFL defenses. However, the young QB had no training camps or time spent with teammates before the season last year due to the COVID pandemic. The impact all these disruptions that came with the pandemic had shouldn’t be underestimated.

In nine starts with the team, he had a 6-3 record, a ratio of 11 touchdowns to five interceptions, and a passer rating of 87.1. None of these stats are mind-blowing, but they certainly aren’t a complete disappointment either. It is entirely possible that all Tua needed was time to settle into his position and get to know his teammates and their habits.

His accuracy and throwing arm were highlights of his game throughout his college career. His ability to throw on every level to any position of the field inspired the Crimson Tide to become an overwhelming force. He was the heart of a dominant Alabama team. His individual performances set records at the highest performing college in the entire game. Over the 2018 and 2019 seasons, Tua attempted 534 passes and had just nine interceptions. He had a career passer rating in college of 199.4 for his entire college career. The only thing that could stop the man at the collegiate level was injury.

The idea that Tua is finished and that the Dolphins should be at the head of the conversations surrounding a certain (possibly morally dubious) quarterback will continue until he proves doubters wrong. Whether he can produce concrete performances and numbers to back up his definite potential will be the defining factor in the Dolphins’ season.