The scoreboard at Gillette Stadium read 38-10. It was January 4, 2026, and as the clock hit zero on the Miami Dolphins' season, the reality of a 7-10 record finally sank in. For a team that started the year with Super Bowl whispers, finishing third in the AFC East feels like a gut punch. Honestly, if you just looked at the roster, you'd think they were world-beaters. But the miami dolphins team stats tell a much grittier, more complicated story than the highlight reels suggest.
It was a year of two halves. A disastrous 1-6 start led to the mid-season departure of long-time General Manager Chris Grier on October 31. Then, an improbable surge under interim GM Champ Kelly saw them win five of six games, teasing the fan base with a playoff hope that ultimately evaporated in the cold of Pittsburgh in Week 15.
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The Tua Paradox and a Passing Game in Flux
When you look at the miami dolphins team stats for the air attack, the drop-off is startling. This used to be the "Greatest Show on Surf." In 2025, it looked more like a stalled engine. Tua Tagovailoa finished the campaign with 2,660 passing yards and 20 touchdowns. On paper? Serviceable. In reality? He threw 15 interceptions, a career-high that often came at the worst possible moments.
The efficiency just wasn't there. Miami’s passing offense plummeted to 25th in the league, averaging a mere 180.5 yards per game. Remember when Tyreek Hill was chasing 2,000 yards? This year, he was a ghost of his former self, tallying only 265 yards in a season marred by injury and an offense that seemingly forgot how to go deep.
Jaylen Waddle tried to carry the load, leading the room with 910 yards and 6 scores, but the explosive "chunk plays" that defined the Mike McDaniel era were few and far between. The team’s yards per pass attempt sat at 6.9—middle of the pack, and definitely not the track-meet speed we expected.
De'Von Achane: The Lone Bright Spot
If there is a silver lining in the 2025 miami dolphins team stats, it’s paved in the grass De'Von Achane left behind. The kid is special. He racked up 1,350 rushing yards on 238 carries, averaging a massive 5.7 yards per attempt.
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- Rushing Yards: 1,350 (Team Leader)
- Rushing TDs: 8
- Total Scrimmage Yards: 1,838
- Average per carry: 5.7
While the passing game sputtered, the run game actually climbed to 13th in the league (120.2 yards per game). Achane wasn't just a runner; he was the primary safety valve, hauling in 67 receptions. Basically, if Achane wasn't touching the ball, the offense wasn't moving. It’s a heavy burden for a third-year back, and you have to wonder how much tread is left on those tires heading into 2026.
A Defense That Couldn't Find Its Identity
Defensively, the Dolphins were a statistical enigma. They ranked 24th in points allowed (24.9 per game) and 22nd in total yards allowed. The biggest issue? They couldn't stop a nosebleed on the ground. Opponents gashed them for 132.4 rushing yards per game, ranking them 26th in run defense.
Jordyn Brooks was a tackling machine, recording a staggering 183 total tackles (99 solo). He earned first-team All-Pro honors for his efforts, but one man can't plug every gap. Bradley Chubb managed 8.5 sacks, leading a pass rush that finished 15th overall with 39 total sacks.
The secondary was... well, it was a struggle. They allowed a 72% completion rate to opposing quarterbacks. That is dead last in the NFL. You can’t win in this league if you're letting every backup QB look like Joe Montana. Rasul Douglas provided some veteran stability with two interceptions, but the takeaway margin finished at -4. You're just not going to make the playoffs losing the turnover battle that consistently.
Efficiency and the "Hidden" Numbers
Sometimes the most telling miami dolphins team stats are the ones that don't make the box score. Take third-down conversions. Miami converted only 34.9% of the time, ranking 27th. They couldn't stay on the field, which led to a time-of-possession average of 28:57 (26th in the league).
- Third Down Conversion: 34.9% (27th)
- Red Zone TD Percentage: 56.25% (20th)
- Penalties per Game: 5.9 (11th - a rare bright spot of discipline)
- Giveaways per Game: 1.4 (27th)
The kicking game remained a pillar of strength. Riley Patterson was nearly automatic, hitting 27 of 29 field goals (93.1%). In a season defined by close losses—like the 29-27 heartbreaker to the Chargers in Week 6—those points were vital. But you can't kick your way to a championship.
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What it All Means for the Offseason
The 2025 season was a reality check. The "Super Team" experiment hit a wall of injuries and inconsistent quarterback play. The firing of Chris Grier suggests a massive philosophical shift is coming. Mike McDaniel survived the season, but with a 7-10 record and the offense regressing, the seat is getting warm.
The stats don't lie: this team has a top-tier running back and a tackling-machine linebacker, but a hole at the most important position on the field. Tua's 88.4 passer rating and 15 interceptions suggest his ceiling might have been reached.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Offseason:
- Prioritize the Secondary: With a 32nd-ranked completion percentage allowed, the Dolphins must target a shutdown corner in the draft or free agency.
- Address the QB Room: Whether it's bringing in a high-end vet to push Tua or looking at the 2026 draft class, the 15 interceptions are unsustainable.
- Balance the Targets: The offense became too reliant on Achane. Finding a reliable third receiving option to take the pressure off Waddle is a must.
- Shore Up the Run Defense: Moving from 26th in rush defense to the top 15 would likely flip at least two of those close losses into wins.
The Dolphins are at a crossroads. The 2025 stats show a team that is talented enough to be dangerous, but flawed enough to be frustrated. Fixing the turnover margin and the red zone efficiency will be the difference between another January at home and a deep playoff run.