Thursday, September 14, 2023

Miami Dolphins Week 2 NFL Power Rankings Roundup

Throughout the 2023 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Below you will find a Week 2 roundup for the Miami Dolphins in our consensus 2023 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 5

Best debut performance: S DeShon Elliott
Week 1 stats: 13 tackles

There aren't many new faces on this team, but Elliott made an impact as the Chargers' running backs repeatedly reached the second level of Miami's defense. When he signed this offseason, it appeared he would rotate with Brandon Jones, but Elliott played all 76 defensive snaps in Week 1. The safety spot opposite Jevon Holland still figures to be a rotation, but Elliott might be the first man up if he continues to perform like that. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

NFL.com -- Rank: 5

The Dolphins' performance against the Chargers should absolutely frighten the heck out of the rest of the league. The Fins fell flat offensively when they visited the Bolts last December, but they delivered a pretty big message on Sunday, racking up 536 yards in the shootout win. Miami didn't go two straight possessions without scoring and crossed Los Angeles' 30-yard line on every possession but one. I love how Mike McDaniel's schemes build room for his speedsters to get close to max mph as they get the ball. Most teams can't deal with the Dolphins' speed, I suspect. Sure, the defense must tighten up, especially against the run. But this has to be demoralizing game tape for Miami's opponents to watch.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 8

Tua Tagovailoa was special against the Chargers, throwing for 457 yards. The defense had some issues, but they can be worked out and, with that type of offense, it might not matter.

USA Today -- Rank: 10

QB Tua Tagovailoa (466 yards and 3 TDs passing) and WR Tyreek Hill (11 catches for 215 yards and 2 TDs) fueled Sunday's most entertaining game ... and Miami didn't need injured LT Terron Armstead or CB Jalen Ramsey to get off to a 1-0 start. Just wait until Vic Fangio's defense dials in.

The Athletic -- Rank: 3

Tua Tagovailoa, welcome to the Gigantic NFL Quarterback Contract conversation. Tagovailoa threw for 466 yards, the fourth-most passing yards ever in a season-opening game. The other three guys to do it (Dan Marino, Norm Van Brocklin and Tom Brady) are in the Hall of Fame or headed there. Tyreek Hill had 215 receiving yards, more than the Cardinals, Seahawks, Giants and Bengals had in total offense Sunday.

FOX -- Rank: 5

They might not be in the top spot in the power rankings, but the Dolphins take home the Week 1 award for being the league's most fun team. This video-game offense picked up exactly where it left off, and didn't Tua Tagovailoa look awfully confident in the fourth quarter? Combine that with a very fun pass rush, and these guys have huge potential.

Yahoo! -- Rank: 8

We have to change how we discuss Tua Tagovailoa. Everyone seems to want to find a reason to not put Tagovailoa in the top quarterback tier. But since the start of last season, Tagovailoa has been elite. No disclaimers needed. Sure, he has Tyreek Hill to throw to. Other great quarterbacks have great receivers and they don't get dinged for it. Sure, Mike McDaniel is a smart coach. Other star quarterbacks have smart play-callers on their side. Let's stop trying to find reasons to downgrade Tagovailoa and acknowledge that when he's healthy, he's everything the Dolphins were hoping for when they drafted him.

PFT -- Rank: 2

Tua for MVP? Tua for MVP!

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