DOLPHINS 5 THINGS WE LEARNED

Jaylen Waddle on verge of NFL record: Missing one game becuse he was on the COVID list didn’t derail Waddle from challenging Anquan Boldin’s rookie record for receptions in a season. Waddle caught 10 passes for 92 yards against the Saints, which puts him six shy of surpassing the record Boldin set in 2003. Waddle also set the franchise record for receiving yards by a rookie against the Saints, passing a mark held set by Chris Chambers (883 yards) in 2001.

Emmanuel Ogbah is a sack producer:

Ogbah recorded two sacks against the Saints, putting his season total at 9, which ties his career-high that he produced last season. Ogbah has two games to boost his sack total, which would certainly benefit his bank account no matter how the Dolphins decide to handle his impending free agency. Miami has three options — sign him before free agency starts, place a transition or franchise tag on him, or exposed him to the freeagent market where he could sign with the highest bidder.

Nik Needham raising his value:

NFL teams looking for a quality starting cornerback might start sniffing around Needham, who is set to become an restricted free agent once the season concludes. The Dolphins can retain Needham, who scored a touchdown on an interception Monday, by placing a tender on him. But which tender used — first-round, second-round or original tender — could impact whether another team makes a qualifying offer. Needham’s consistent play the past three seasons makes him an enticing young player Miami should consider signing to a multiyear deal.

The Miami Sack Machine made it look big and easy in New Orleans:

Can anyone remember when the Dolphins had only 12 sacks in the first eight games? Miami, which had been a halfstep short of 10 more sacks in the first half of the season, has been pounding quarterbacks with the football the past seven games. With their eight sacks on Monday, the Dolphins, with 33, smashed a club record of 31 for the most sacks over a sevengame span, set in 1973. And, now, the team is four sacks from tying the franchise record for a season.

Brian Flores owns a special distinction with the sevengame win streak:

With the win, the Dolphins earned the longest regular-season win streak in a year in franchise history under a coach not named Don Shula. The NFL’s winningest coach had in-season win streaks of 14 in the perfect season, 11 in 1984, 10 in 1973 and 8 in 1971 (all years the Dolphins won the AFC). Flores’ squad is tied for the fifth-longest win run with two other Shula teams (1975 and 1985).