2023 NFL Power Rankings: Miami Dolphins

Biggest issue on offense: Dividing the backfield workload

It's hard to find an issue on a team that just scored 70 points with 726 yards of offense in a single game. The Dolphins lead the NFL in total yards per game (550.3), passing yards (362), rushing yards (188.3), offensive expected points added (66.97), yards per play (8.4) and scoring per game (43.3). They have four capable running backs in the NFL's leader in rushing touchdowns, Raheem Mostert, Salvon Ahmed, Jeff Wilson Jr. -- who's set to return from IR in two weeks -- and now De'Von Achane -- who exploded for 233 total yards and four touchdowns against the Broncos. How will they divide the workload going forward? It's likely a problem Miami isn't complaining about, but that speaks to how ironclad this offense has been through three weeks. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

We should have guessed that a team averaging 30 points and 462.5 yards of offense per game on the road would really be able to cook at home. But 70 points? And 726 yards?! Imagine what the Dolphins would have done with Jaylen Waddle on the field. New England holding Miami to 389 yards and 24 points in Week 2 looks downright heroic now. Of course, the Pats barely saw De'Von Achane in that one. The rookie back hopped into a featured role Sunday and blasted off. Just what this offense needs: more speed. According to Next Gen Stats, Dolphins players are now responsible for the five fastest individual speeds recorded on a given play this season, with three by Tyreek Hill and one apiece from Achane and Raheem Mostert.

They are downright scary on offense. The Bills game Sunday will be their biggest proving game of the season so far.

The balance in Sunday's thrashing of Denver was truly epic, Miami becoming the first team to post 350 yards rushing and passing in the same game — this while scoring five TDs on the ground and five more through the air. The Fins' 1,651 total yards through three games are a league record, and their 130 points are two shy of the mark at the same juncture. And still hard to believe they put up 70 points. Just wait until they get WR Jaylen Waddle, among others, back. Still, before we crown 'em, let's acknowledge they've got some defensive issues and have done all this damage against a trio of teams that's collectively 2-7. Let's see what happens at Buffalo.

QB confidence rating: 10

The only thing anyone in South Florida is worried about is Tua Tagovailoa's health. On Sunday, he had a passer rating of 155.8, the highest in any game since Matthew Stafford had a 156.1 against the Bears in 2021, according to TruMedia. Tagovailoa completed 23 of 26 passes for 309 yards and four touchdowns as the Dolphins' offensive dominance continued. Miami took a knee on fourth-and-14 at the Denver 28-yard line on their final play rather than attempt a 45-yard field goal that would have allowed them to tie the NFL's all-time single-game scoring record.

Tagovailoa is averaging a league-best 10.1 yards per attempt (two full yards more than anyone else) AND he's completing 71.3 percent of his passes, which ranks sixth in the league.

The numbers the Dolphins put up in their 70-20 romp over Denver are the type of thing reserved for your Madden dynasty — and even then, I'd tell you to increase the difficulty level. Tua Tagovailoa threw more touchdowns than incompletions, two different Dolphins running backs scored four touchdowns, and the defense forced three turnovers. It was a performance we've never seen before in the modern NFL and entirely deserving of a jump to No. 1.

The Dolphins have many reasons for their rise, but one of the key reasons is simple: Miami values world-class speed, and speed is still a tremendously valuable asset in practically any sport.

The Dolphins have all FIVE of top-5 fastest @NextGenStats top NFL ball carrier speeds this season.

1. Tyreek Hill, 22.07 MPH, Week 3 vs DEN
2. Tyreek Hill, 21.66, WK1 vs LAC
3. Raheem Mostert, 21.62, WK2 vs NE
4. Tyreek Hill, 21.52, WK1 vs LAC
5. De'Von Achane, 21.5, WK3 vs DEN

— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) September 24, 2023

They are starting to look like a team of destiny.

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