It’s week 1 of the full slate of NFL preseason games and that brings us an interconference clash between teams from the Sunshine State. The Miami Dolphins are on the road as they make the in-state trip to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saturday night. Miami finished last season 9-8 thanks to a second half surge against a weak slate but missed the postseason as they were third in the AFC East. Tampa Bay won the NFC South with a 13-4 record only to be upended 30-27 in the NFC Divisional Round by the Rams, who went on to win the Super Bowl. The Dolphins own a 17-15 advantage in the all-time preseason head-to-head series though the Buccaneers have won three straight. That includes a 16-14 win on the road in the most recent meeting on August 16, 2019.
Miami started last season 1-7 before winning eight of their last nine games to wind up with a 9-8 record. That wasn’t good enough to reach the postseason and to say there was upheaval in the organization after the season is an understatement. Brian Flores was fired, then filed a class-action lawsuit against the NFL based on racial discrimination. In his place is former 49ers’ offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. The Dolphins also made moves at the skill positions on the offensive side of the ball as they signed running backs Chase Edmonds, Raheem Mostert and Sony Michel. They added Cedrick Wilson to the receiving corps via free agency and traded for Tyreek Hill. To bolster the offensive line, Miami brought in tackle Terron Armstead and guard Connor Williams. Teddy Bridgewater steps in to be the #2 QB behind Tua Tagovailoa. Miami was docked their first-round pick in 2023 and their third-round selection in 2024 for tampering wit h Tom Brady and Sean Payton.
Last season, the Dolphins were 17th in the league in passing offense as they average 214.8 yards per contest. The Dolphins were just 30th in rushing offense as they averaged 92.2 yards per game on the ground. Miami was 22nd in the league in scoring offense as they put up 20.1 points per game. The Dolphins were 16th in scoring defense as they give up an average of 21.9 points a contest. Tua Tagovailoa was 263 of 388 for 2,653 yards with 16 touchdowns against 10 interceptions while adding 128 yards plus three scores on the ground. The run game was problematic as Myles Gaskin was the leading rusher with 173 carries for 612 yards plus three scores. Malcolm Brown (33 carries, 125 yards, TD) and Savion Ahmed (54 carries, 149 yards) saw their share of action as well. In the passing game, Jaylen Waddle led the team with 104 receptions for 1,015 yards and six scores this season. Tight ends Mike Gesicki (73 grabs, 780 yards, two TD) and Durham Smythe (34 grabs, 357 yards), will be looked at to contribute alongside Hill and Wilson. Jason Sanders hit 34 of 35 extra point attempts and 23 of 31 field goal attempts with a long of 51 last season.
Miami is going to play at least some starters. Don’t expect to see Waddle or Hill though you could see Tagovailoa for a series or so along with most of the offensive line. The Dolphins likely won’t play either of their starting corners either, giving plenty of reps to guys trying to make an impact going forward.