NFL Power Rankings: Cardinals rise, Packers fall in Week 17
Dec 27, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) and teammates leave the field as time expires against the Indianapolis Colts at Sun Life Stadium. The Colts defeated the Dolphins 18-12. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Innerarity-USA TODAY Sports
26. MIAMI DOLPHINS (5-10)
Last week: 24
Change: -2
What an absolute mess the Miami Dolphins are. To have a running back as talented as Lamar Miller and to not use him is unbelievable. Especially when Ryan Tannehill is struggling the way that he is. Strangely enough, if Miller is able to lead the offense to take pressure off Tannehill, the quarterback won’t be forced into as many mistakes.
Per James Walker of ESPN, the Dolphins were 5-0 (now 5-1) when Miller got 15 or more carries in a game, and are 0-9 when he carries the ball fewer times. It’s obvious how much he can help the Dolphins offense, but they continue to avoid him, no matter who the coach is.
VERY interesting stat: #Dolphins are 5-0 this yr when @millertime_6 gets 13 carries or more. They are 0-9 when he gets 12 or fewer carries.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) December 21, 2015
So what’s the reason for that? Is it believed he can’t be a bell-cow back? Are the Dolphins still hoping the passing game leads the way moving forward? That’s anybodies guess, as is the future at the head coach position. Has Dan Campbell done enough to earn the full-time job, or will the Dolphins look elsewhere?
That and a number of other questions must be answered in the coming weeks. Miami finishes the season against New England.
Next: No. 25