Dolphins Surge to 5-7 Behind Emerging Stars, But Tua’s Struggles Loom Large
The Miami Dolphins are showing signs of life-and maybe something more. After a brutal 1-6 start, Miami has now rattled off four wins in five games, including a 21-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints at Hard Rock Stadium.
It wasn’t pretty, and frankly, it shouldn’t have been that close. But a win is a win, and for a team that looked lost just a few weeks ago, stacking W’s is all that matters right now.
Let’s be clear: the Dolphins are still a long way from playoff contention, but the mood around this team has shifted. At 5-7, they’re trending in the right direction, and with a winnable game against the Jets on deck, 6-7 doesn’t feel far-fetched.
That’s a far cry from where they were in October. A 7-10 or 8-9 finish feels very much in play-and while 10-7 and a playoff berth would require a nearly perfect storm, the fact that it’s even a conversation tells you how far this team has come.
But not everything is trending up. And that brings us to Tua Tagovailoa.
Tua’s Cold-Weather Test Is Coming
There’s no sugarcoating it: Tua isn’t having the kind of season the Dolphins were hoping for. The interceptions are piling up.
The big plays are missing. And more often than not, he just doesn’t look right.
Whether that’s health-related or simply the reality of where his game is at age 27 is the question Miami’s front office will have to wrestle with in the months ahead.
The upcoming road games in New York, Pittsburgh, and New England will be telling. Cold-weather performances have never been Tua’s strength, and how he handles those environments could go a long way in shaping the organization’s long-term view of him. If he falters down the stretch, it’s fair to wonder whether the Dolphins explore legitimate quarterback competition in 2026.
De’Von Achane: Pay the Man
If there’s one player who has consistently delivered for Miami this season, it’s De’Von Achane. He’s not just a spark plug-he’s the engine.
The second-year back has been electric, and his versatility has made him the Dolphins’ most valuable player on offense. He’s got Pro Bowl written all over him, and the Christian McCaffrey comparisons aren’t just hype-they’re rooted in how he’s impacting games week after week.
The NFL has a complicated relationship with paying running backs, and Miami has let talented players walk before. But Achane is different.
He’s a foundational piece. If the Dolphins are serious about building something sustainable, locking him up long-term should be a priority.
Chop Robinson Is Arriving
Chop Robinson was a bit under the radar early in the season-partly due to injuries, partly because he was buried behind Jaelan Phillips on the depth chart. But with Phillips now traded and Robinson fully healthy, the rookie edge rusher is showing exactly why Miami was high on him.
Against the Saints, Robinson was a force: five tackles, 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits, and the game-sealing stop on fourth down. That’s the kind of performance that changes games-and changes perceptions.
He’s adjusting to the way teams are adjusting to him, and that’s a sign of growth. Robinson looks like a player who’s going to be a problem for opposing quarterbacks for years to come.
Mike McDaniel: Staying the Course?
There’s been plenty of speculation about Mike McDaniel’s future, especially during the team’s early-season spiral. But this recent turnaround is giving the Dolphins’ brass something to think about. If Miami finishes 8-9 after starting 1-6, that’s a 7-3 run to close the year-and that kind of rebound doesn’t happen by accident.
The partnership between McDaniel and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver is starting to take shape, and from a football IQ and schematic standpoint, it’s a strong pairing. Of course, owner Stephen Ross will weigh more than just X’s and O’s-culture, leadership, and the team’s overall direction will all factor into the decision.
But if this group keeps trending up, bringing McDaniel back in 2026-with perhaps a new quarterback competition in the mix-might not just be the safe play. It might be the smart one.
Final Word
The Dolphins are far from a finished product. But after a disastrous start, they’ve found an identity.
Achane is blossoming into a star. Robinson is emerging as a defensive cornerstone.
And McDaniel is showing he can steer the ship through rough waters. The Tua question still looms large, and the next few weeks could determine a lot about his future in South Florida.
But for now, the Dolphins are winning. And in the NFL, that’s the only stat that really matters.