Pats Cast Episode 27: Brian Flores, Dolphins Present a Challenge for the Patriots

Former Patriots assistant Brian Flores has guided the Dolphins to heights they arguably haven't reached since the Dan Marino era. (Photo: Mark Brown/Getty Images)

Second-year head coach Brian Flores has sparked a culture change, and it's led to better results on the field.

The Miami Dolphins are 8–5 this year. No, that's not a typo. Since starting last season 0–7, they've managed to win 13 of their last 22 games, and that trend doesn't seem likely to change.

But culture doesn't necessarily fix bad X's and O's. So how are they suddenly winning so much more frequently?

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Offense

Historically, a Chan Gailey offense has featured a passing game quite similar to the one Tua Tagovailoa thrived in at Alabama. The rookie passer was at his best in college on crossing routes and downfield, and that's what Gailey tends to favor.

Truthfully, it's fair to question whether veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick – who entered this season with experience playing under Gailey, and was playing well early this year – should still be the starting quarterback, but it looks like that ship has sailed.

There was some luck involved, but here are some of the best played from Tua last week.

His receiving group is banged up, to put it lightly. Top wideout DeVante Parker is dealing with a hamstring strain, No. 2 Preston Williams is on IR, and Jakeem Grant is also not expected to play. Their starters could be Lynn Bowden Jr. and Malcolm Perry, two converted college quarterbacks, although both seem to double as running backs. They also brought back Isaiah Ford – remember that guy? – to the practice squad. After them, Mack Hollins (five catches last week) and Antonio Callaway should serve as at least serviceable depth.

The top tight end – and possible top receiver overall – will be Mike Gesicki, but the Dolphins aren't opposed to playing two tight ends together, especially when they're short on wideouts. You'll see a healthy load of Durham Smythe and Adam Shaheen, too. All three had multiple catches last week, led by Gesicki with five – and two touchdowns.

Running back is nothing short of confusing. Starter Myles Gaskin and established veteran Matt Breida are on the COVID-19 inactive list and unlikely to play, they recently released short-yardage back Jordan Howard, and one-week wonder Salvon Ahmed is banged up and missed last week's game.

That leaves them with Bowden, Perry, DeAndre Washington and Patrick Laird, none of whom are more than 6-foot-nothing and/or 204 pounds. Anyone who claims to know which of them will play what specific role is lying, in part because the only existing data point in which that group led the way for Miami was last week. However, in that game, Washington received 13 of the team's 24 carries, Bowden caught a team-high seven passes while playing the most snaps (71%, some of which came at wide receiver), Laird was in the backfield the most (51%) but only touched the ball five times, and Perry's only touch was a five-yard reception despite being on the field nearly as much as everyone else.

The offensive line was completely revamped in the offseason, and the results have been promising. The Dolphins spent a first (left tackle Austin Jackson), second (right tackle Robert Hunt), and fourth (right guard Solomon Kindley) round pick on linemen in the 2020 Draft, and all three are starting – and playing well – as rookies. They also signed guard Ereck Flowers from Washington and center Ted Karras from New England (thanks to the Flores connection), rounding out their current starting five. When healthy, it's been a formidable unit.

Defense

On the whole, it's a very Patriots-esque defense, which shouldn't be a surprise. Since Patrick Graham left for the Giants, Flores' new defensive coordinator is former Patriots staffer Josh Boyer. The defensive line is versatile, the linebacker unit features some familiar faces and similar roles to New England's, and the secondary is similarly stout.

The front is led by second-year first-rounder Christian Wilkins and first-year second-rounder Raekwon Davis. Guess where they went to college. Clemson and Alabama! That's generally a good formula. The ex-New England staff has used Emmanuel Ogbah – who leads the team with eight sacks – in the Trey Flowers role, as a hybrid lineman who they can play matchups with.

Their true edge defenders have been Kyle Van Noy and Shaq Lawson. Van Noy has been a leader of the defense, playing a similar X's and O's role to what he did with the Patriots, leading the squad with 10.5 tackles for loss. Mason – another former first-round pick from Clemson – had a rough start to his career in Buffalo, but he's had some success in Miami.

The Dolphins have a rotation of standup linebackers that have played prominent roles. Much like in New England, it seems to be a pretty sizable cast of characters than can each make an impact. Jerome Baker leads the team with 89 tackles. Ex-Patriot Elandon Roberts checks in behind him – partially because he's missed two games – and smaller, rangier players like Andrew Van Ginkel and Kamu Grugier-Hill have provided the unit with some necessary speed and coverage ability.

And then there's the secondary! Xavien Howard leads the league with nine interceptions, and free agent signee Byron Jones isn't exactly your average No. 2. They've pieced together the slot position lately, hiding first-round rookie Noah Igbinoghene, but former Patriot Eric Rowe and Bobby McCain have been reliable at safety.

Special Teams

Punter Matt Haack has been unspectacular, but his ball placement has been good – he's in the top 10 in punts downed inside the 20-yard line. Kicker Jason Sanders has been better, though. He's converted on 60 of his 62 field goals and extra points, and he's 8-for-8 on 50-plus yard kicks.

Typically, Jakeem Grant returns kicks and punts. If he can't play – which he likely won't – it's not quite clear who takes his place. Antonio Callaway took two punts on Sunday, and Igbinoghene is the only player other than Grant to return a kick (aside from a squib that Smythe fielded). Lynn Bowden also seems like a logical option, but he hasn't been given the opportunity yet.

Bonus Info

The Dolphins are truly a good team, and they mirror the Patriots in many respects. That will make Sunday's game a very intriguing chess match.

Keep in mind, Bill Belichick is 21-5 against rookie quarterbacks since becoming the head coach in New England. It's never that black and white, but that success rate jumps off the page.

Up next: Injury updates and head-to-head matchups will be released on the Pats Cast to kick off the weekend.