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Strong Week 1 Performance by Unexpected Group Sets Tone for Miami’s Future

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miami dolphins offense

You’re only as strong as your weakest link. A cliche that often rings true in sports, especially a team sport like football. Miami’s offensive line was and has been, a spot that many circled as an area of concern heading into the 2024 season. Facing off against a defensive line like the Jacksonville Jaguars was a tough way to start the season for a unit that seemingly had more questions than answers leading up to it. In a Week 1 victory, they answered the bell.

Strong Week 1 Performance by Unexpected Group Sets Tone for Future of Dolphins Offense

Controlling the trenches

Football is typically won and lost in the trenches and Jacksonville has multiple threats that offenses have to be aware of. Most notably, Josh Hines-Allen, Travon Walker, and Arik Armstead. Miami had their hands full all afternoon and while the Jaguars defenders did make plays with three total sacks (Walker, two; Armstead, one), the Dolphins’ offensive line earned high praise when Week 1 concluded.

They paved the way for a comeback victory and allowed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to be the least pressured quarterback in the league and were incredibly efficient in the process.

Three of the teams top five graded players overall came courtesy of Miami’s offensive line. With Terron Armstead (87.1), Austin Jackson (81.7) and Liam Eichenberg (80.1), claiming three of the top four spots. As pass blockers, Miami was the only team to feature two tackles in the top 10, with both Armstead and Jackson listed.

Eichenberg cracking the top five graded players list is a breath of fresh air for Miami fans everywhere. The four-year pro has been much-maligned for his play throughout his career. However, he’s been asked to play every position across the offensive front at varying times in his short career. It highlights his versatility, something the Dolphins covet, but it hasn’t allowed him to settle in to a single spot. He said in the offseason that right guard was his “most comfortable spot”, and the early returns are promising.

It Allows Everyone Else to Flourish

The effect of solid offensive line play makes it possible for Miami’s top flight offense to work as intended. And the positive grades were reflected in other areas of the offense outside of the line. Tagovailoa was the leagues fifth highest graded passer, and both wide receiver Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle were among the top five highest graded players on the team.

Miami’s attempt to maintain its status as the league’s number-one offense is off to a great start as well. Tagovailoa leads the league in passing yards with 338. Tyreek Hill is second in the league with 130 receiving yards and has the longest reception, which sits at 80 yards. In addition, both Hill and Waddle combined for the most receiving yards by a duo in week 1, with 239. Finally, the stellar offensive line play allowed their signal caller to produce the most big-time throws of any passer in the league.

The season is still brand new and it’s a marathon, not a sprint, but the impact play from the line is encouraging. This team’s identity is on the offensive side of the ball and if the Dolphins front can stay healthy, their offense should have no trouble producing at a high level. But more importantly, it opens the door for the post-season success both the team and fans have been waiting for.

Main Image: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The post Strong Week 1 Performance by Unexpected Group Sets Tone for Miami’s Future appeared first on Last Word on Pro Football.