What gives for the Miami Dolphins? After winning nine of their last 10 games last season to reach the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 season, the Dolphins have fallen flat on their face at the start the 2017 season. Without the help of Younghoe Koo and his two missed field goals, one coming in the dying seconds of the game, the Dolphins could be 0-3. The question most people are posing after their horrific showing in London is: who exactly is to blame for the poor performances? Everyone.
Jay Cutler
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, regarding Cutler's eight starts since the beginning of 2016, Cutler has played poorly in six of them – the past two, plus four of his five starts last season, with ratings of 76.2, 74.9, 55.1 and 81.5 in those four games last season.
Cutler has failed to manufacture more than 20 points in any of his past eight starts. The Dolphins offense floundered in week five against the Titans and the coaching staff needs to take a long look at Matt Moore with the understanding that if Moore were to struggle Cutler could replace him.
Adam Gase
The offensive mastermind as most people like to label him, has not shown up once this campaign. Gase threw everyone — including himself and his coaches — under the bus during the postgame news conference, saying, "Sometimes I have to call the right play at the right time. Sometimes [they’ve] got to make a play. And [the quarterback’s] got to make a throw. Sometimes you’ve got to make a guy miss.”
Gase's main problem is that the offense isn't consistent enough to gain the momentum necessary to crack open the game-breaking plays he has stored up.
According to Omar Kelly of the Sun-Sentinel, Gase said he and his coaching staff will spend the nine-hour flight home from London problem solving with the goal of getting the offense jump-started.
Defense
The only good news thus far for the Dolphins is that the defense is holding up its end of the bargain. The Dolphins haven't allowed more than 20 points in any game, two of which have been on the road (London game considered home).
Drew Brees and his prolific offense were shut out in the first half until the final play (field goal), a difficult task to do considering that offense was ranked 6th to start the day. Rookie cornerback Cordrea Tankersley who started his first game as a pro did considerably well, considering the circumstances (He was named starter during warm-ups after Byron Maxwell injured himself).
Where do they go from here?
Marcus Mariota is a question for this upcoming week 5 matchup vs. Miami. If he's ruled out, Matt Cassel would be the presumed starter. This is a perfect opportunity for some home cooking from the Dolphins who really need something to snap them back together.
