Dolphins need some points tonight
Ryan Tannehill, right, says Miami’s offense is capable of big plays. They’ve been scarce so far as the Dolphins have struggled to run the ball and convert third downs. The search for scoring continues tonight against Cincinnati, which has one of the NFL’s best defenses and will be bolstered by the return of linebacker Vontaze Burfict.
DAVIE — Miami Dolphins offensive coordinator Clyde Christensen thinks his unit is on the verge of being a big-play offense.
“Some of our numbers on big plays and average per play, and some of those things are fine,” he said. But ... “The number that’s sick is the third down . ... We’ve been anemic on third down. Those are crushers because all of a sudden, you look up, and there’s not enough carries for a running back. There’s not enough balls to go around. There’s not enough time of possession. There’s not enough anything.”
This is a major problem as the Dolphins (1-2) head into a road game against the Cincinnati Bengals (1-2) at 8:25 tonight. The game will be televised by NFL Network.
The Dolphins are 10 of 34 (29.4 percent) on thirddown conversions, which ranks 29th in the NFL. Partly because of that, the Dolphins average 21.3 points per game, tied for 20th in the league.
Christensen thinks the Dolphins would be OK when it comes to explosive plays if his offense could stay on the field long enough to have more of them.
“I do think some of those isolated numbers like yards per play, yards per rush, some of those big plays, those things are OK,” he said.
The Dolphins are struggling to find a running game to balance out the play-calling.
As things stand now, the Dolphins are almost at a 2:1 ratio when it comes to pass plays against run plays, with 113 passing plays and 61 running plays this season.
One thing that could work against the Dolphins striking a run-pass balance is the return of Cincinnati linebacker Vontaze Burfict, who is expected to return from a three-game suspension tonight. Last season, according to ESPN Stats and Information, the Bengals allowed 109 yards rushing per game without Burfict and 82 yards rushing per game with Burfict.
Dolphins running back Arian Foster (groin) will miss his second consecutive game, along with center Mike Pouncey (hip), who hasn’t played the previous three games. Tight end Jordan Cameron (concussion) is also out.
But right tackle Ja’Wuan James should be back in his starting spot (he was pulled for overtime of last Sunday’s 30-24 victory against the Cleveland Browns), and the receivers are relatively healthy. That should help with the big-play ability.
“We’re talented at the receiver position,” quarterback Ryan Tannehill said. “No matter who is the primary target, I feel comfortable and excited about the opportunities that they get.”
Besides Burfict, the Bengals’ defense features defensive tackle Geno Atkins, a first-team All Pro last season; cornerback Adam Jones; and linebackers Karlos Dansby and Rey Maualuga. It is usually among the league’s toughest and should be a tough test for the Dolphins.