PhinManiacs Miami Dolphins Facts - with an Ode to Chan Gailey

By: Jason Sarney

The Miami Dolphins head into their Week 9 match-up against the Arizona Cardinals riding a winning streak currently at three games and four of their last five. They sit at 4-3, 2nd place in the AFC East, and two games back from the Buffalo Bills.

The Dolphins and Bills close the season, Week 17 in Buffalo, in January.

Before that, there is eight weeks of data that we can analyze and dissect heading into a cross-country trip to the 4th NFC West team in a gauntlet of quality teams in the Rams, Seahawks, Niners and now the Kyler Murray led Cardinals.

While last season was a cringe-worthy display of stats and what was in-tandem put on film through Week 8 of 2019 (0-7), 2020 has been the polar opposite (4-3). Not only have the Dolphins been statistical marvels in such little time from last year, being the NFL’s number one scoring defense at the moment, they are also ranked 6th in scoring offense.

The last season a Miami Team finished in the top-10 in both offense and defense was 2002, and Fin Fans who are old enough to remember would say, “hey, wasn’t that Ricky Williams’ first Miami season?

Yes, it was.

In fact, the last time any Miami offense finished in the top-10 was that same Ricky Williams year. To make matters more enjoyably excruciating and ironic, while Norv Turner was the Miami offensive coordinator in 2002, he took over from a 2000 and 2001 Top-10 overall offense lead by Quarterback, Jay Fiedler and some offensive coordinator named….wait for it…

Chan Gailey.

For the fourth time this century, the Miami Dolphins are ranked among the top 10 scoring offenses in the NFL. In 3 of those 4 seasons, including this one, Chan Gailey served as the offensive coordinator. (Through 7 games in 2020 of course)

Respect, to one of the most respected men in the game in Chan Gailey.

Here are some more Phun Phacts: Week 9 Prep Time: MIA @ ARI

• The Dolphins are 9-3 all-time against the Cardinals. However, they haven’t won at Arizona since 1996. Miami did win the last meeting on Dec. 11, 2016 in Miami by a score of 26-23.

 

• Brian Flores continues to create a more disciplined team in Miami. The Dolphins have continued their success in reducing penalties in 2020. Through 7 games, they are 3rd in the NFL in penalties (31) and 4th in penalty yards (250).

 

• Tua in a Duo in Miami rookie QB history: With Miami’s 28-17 win in the game, Tagovailoa joined David Woodley as the only Dolphins rookie quarterbacks to ever win their first NFL starts.

 

• Miami’s offense has been successful in moving the chains this year, totaling 144 first downs. It’s the most first downs the Dolphins have had through the first seven games of a season since 2014 (150).

 

• FA DE Emmanuel Ogbah has been playing lights out lately. With 9 games still remaining, Ogbah’s 6 sacks are already a career high. His 6 sacks in his 1st 7 games as a Dolphin are the most by a MIA player in their first 7 games since Danny Stubbs also had 7 in 1996. Emmanuel Ogbah has a full sack in four straight games, and five sacks in his past four games.
  

 

• Jakeem Grant leads the NFL in Punt Return Yards so far in 2020. He has 227.

• MIA may have another franchise quality defender, in Christian Wilkins: He has started '20 w/ 25 tackles (14 solo), 5 passes defended & a fumble rec. In 1st 7 games, his 5 passes defended are 2nd among all NFL defensive linemen & his 20 tackles are 16th among all NFL defensive tackles.

• Jakeem Grant set a new team punt return TD record with his 3rd after taking a punt back 88 yards for a score against the Rams. It was the longest punt return TD in MIA history and the first punt return TD in the NFL this season. The Legend of Mighty Mouse Grows.
  

 

• Jakeem Grant's two kickoff return touchdowns are tied for second in team annals. He has a chance to one day be Miami's King of Returns in both phases of it. Long Live King Nephew. He is the Dolphins’ all-time record-holder with 5 ST return touchdowns in his career – three punt returns and 2 kickoff returns. A statue has not yet been commissioned.

 

• So far this season, Miami is 4-0 when leading after the 2nd quarter. They are also 3-0 when leading after the 1st and 4-0 when leading after the 3rd. They are 3-0 when Miami scores first. Get this defense a lead. Like a great pitcher needs 1 run.

 

• Punter Matt Haack has 6 career games with at least 5 punts inside the 20, including 2 this season. His 15 punts inside the 20 are the 4th-most in the NFL this season. His 40.2 career net punt average is the best in Dolphins history.

Should Miami defeat Arizona on Sunday, it would be Miami’s 10th victory in its past 17 games dating back to last season. Which essentially proves they are a certifiable playoff contender, & this is no shock.

This unit of young and hungry players are off to the races.

You can follow Jason on Twitter @OrangeAquaman  and the PhinManiacs PodCast