Chris Perkins: Dolphins’ 2024 offense has evolved, but it’s still not good enough

MIAMI GARDENS — Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was jammin’ in the postgame locker room Sunday. He wore a big smile and danced a bit as “By Your Side” by Florida hip-hop artist Rod Wave was playing on his portable speaker.

He was happy. I liked seeing that.

Accordingly, I liked what I saw in the Dolphins’ locker room Sunday after their 34-19 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.

Players were happy but subdued.

And that’s pretty much the description of how I feel about the Dolphins offense the past few weeks.

I’m happy that the offense has scored 27, 27, 23 and 34 points in the four games since Tua has returned from his concussion. 

The offense, which has been severely limited due to the two-high safety schemes defenses have used to shut down the big passing plays, has evolved from the one-dimensional big-play crew we’ve seen the past two years to a group that can utilize a ground game as well as a controlled passing game.

But I greatly doubt that this offense is good enough to defeat Green Bay, Houston or San Francisco — the three biggest opponents remaining.

After all, this offense wasn’t good enough to beat Buffalo in either game this year.

Recall that last year the Dolphins were 1-6 against playoff teams and the offense averaged just 16 points per game.

Beyond that, the Dolphins’ run game that had compiled five consecutive 100-yard rushing efforts this season has nosedived with fullback Alec Ingold being sidelined with a calf injury. The Dolphins have rushed for 67 and 82 yards the past two games. 

And wide receivers Tyreek Hill (seven receptions for 61 yards, one touchdown against the Raiders) and Jaylen Waddle (two receptions, 37 yards) have practically been non-factors all season.

Tight end Jonnu Smith (six receptions, 101 yards, two touchdowns) is the new star of the offense.

Even running back De’Von Achane (17 carries, 73 yards, one touchdown; four receptions, 32 yards), who has been highly effective, doesn’t seem as electric as he was last year.

This recent spate of 12- and 14-play touchdown drives shows a different side of this quick-strike, big-play offense that didn’t exist previously under coach Mike McDaniel.

That’s a good thing.

But I still don’t think it’s good enough.

I still need to see more.

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I need to see more big plays (I know Smith had the 57-yard touchdown and Achane had a 30-yard run and a 32-yard reception). I need to see cleaner execution (Tua again had a fumble). I need to see more consistency.

Just as last year, and two years ago, I don’t trust the Dolphins offense to win a game against a quality opponent, and I’m referring specifically to the Packers (Nov. 28 road game), Texans (Dec. 15 road game) and San Francisco (Dec. 22 home game).

Left tackle Terron Armstead tells me it doesn’t matter that the 2024 Dolphins offense isn’t as dangerous as the 2023 or 2022 offenses.

“We’re not trying to be like a replica of anything previous,” he said. “We’re trying to establish this year’s identity. We’re looking to attack in different ways — run game, pass game, horizontally, vertically. We’re just trying to be a complete offense.”

I realize I’m going in direct contrast to Dolphins players and fans with my contention.

I asked running back Raheem Mostert if the Dolphins offense, which was No. 1 in the league last season and No. 6 in 2022, is back.

“It looks like it, yeah,” he said. “I mean, we did a hell of a job. We put some good points on the board. Yeah, it looks like we’re back in our groove.”

I’d be thrilled if the Dolphins offense was back to its previous McDaniel levels.

This 2024 offense is boring.

It’s fitting that former Dolphins coach Joe Philbin was on the opposing sideline Sunday. It looks as though the Dolphins are running his offense nowadays.

This Dolphins offense doesn’t have the big-play excitement of previous McDaniel offenses.

It’s not fun, it’s not exciting, and it’s not winning.

The Dolphins average a glitzy 28 points per game since Tua’s return, but they’re just 2-2 in those four games.

I don’t want to be “that guy,” the one who poo-poos the win over the Raiders.

So I won’t do that.

That victory, which everyone assumed would happen, just as everyone assumes the Dolphins will defeat New England next week, stands on its own merit.

When we look at the big picture, however, I think this offense will still struggle against quality opponents — I’m talking about Green Bay, Houston and San Francisco, in particular — because its top players don’t shine under the bright lights of the NFL’s biggest games.

Check the numbers. Tua. Tyreek. Waddle. Mostert.

None of them have big games in the biggest games.

That’ll have to change if this offense is going to thrive against Green Bay, Houston and San Francisco.

In the meantime, the Dolphins will use next week’s New England game to put the finishing touches on the things it needs to get accomplished offensively.

Will this offense ever get back to its dangerous, high-scoring ways of yesteryear? Will this offense be good enough to carry the Dolphins to wins in the biggest games on the schedule?

“We’re still working, man,” Waddle said. “We’re still working. We’ve got a long season ahead, but we’re heading in the right direction.”