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Last season, the Miami Dolphins were disappointing, finishing with a 7-10 record and in third place in the division, which led to the departure of several key members of the organization, including head coach and offensive play-caller Mike McDaniel.
With former first-round pick Tua Tagovailoa under center, McDaniel's offense wasn't performing the way it had in previous years. However, in one specific area, the 2025 Dolphins' offense was better than any other team.
According to ESPN's Matt Bowen, Miami has a league-high 16.24 EPA while in 22 personnel, which includes two running backs, two tight ends and one wide receiver. They averaged 7.2 yards per play and 19.3 passing yards per game with that grouping on the field, which was the most in the league in both categories.
"This is an old school goal-line and short-yardage set -- putting 10 offensive players in the box -- that allows teams to run downhill with a lead blocker," Bowen said about 22 personnel. "Think isolation, power and zone lead plays, which we still see on Sundays despite it seeming outdated. However, with more versatility across the board, offenses are using 22 personnel to gain matchup advantages. They can have their "move" player and traditional Y tight end flex outside the formation to win in the pass game, or both options can create play-side numbers when running the ball."
While McDaniel is gone, the Dolphins kept senior passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik around and gave him a promotion to offensive coordinator. With that, Miami will run a very similar offense in 2026, so they may try to replicate that same success with Greg Dulcich and either Ben Sims or Will Kacmarek taking over as the top tight end duo for Darren Waller and Julian Hill.
More Dolphins: Dolphins have big decision to make on All-Pro after Aaron Brewer deal
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins had most successful offense in the NFL in one situation
Continue reading...
With former first-round pick Tua Tagovailoa under center, McDaniel's offense wasn't performing the way it had in previous years. However, in one specific area, the 2025 Dolphins' offense was better than any other team.
According to ESPN's Matt Bowen, Miami has a league-high 16.24 EPA while in 22 personnel, which includes two running backs, two tight ends and one wide receiver. They averaged 7.2 yards per play and 19.3 passing yards per game with that grouping on the field, which was the most in the league in both categories.
"This is an old school goal-line and short-yardage set -- putting 10 offensive players in the box -- that allows teams to run downhill with a lead blocker," Bowen said about 22 personnel. "Think isolation, power and zone lead plays, which we still see on Sundays despite it seeming outdated. However, with more versatility across the board, offenses are using 22 personnel to gain matchup advantages. They can have their "move" player and traditional Y tight end flex outside the formation to win in the pass game, or both options can create play-side numbers when running the ball."
While McDaniel is gone, the Dolphins kept senior passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik around and gave him a promotion to offensive coordinator. With that, Miami will run a very similar offense in 2026, so they may try to replicate that same success with Greg Dulcich and either Ben Sims or Will Kacmarek taking over as the top tight end duo for Darren Waller and Julian Hill.
More Dolphins: Dolphins have big decision to make on All-Pro after Aaron Brewer deal
This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins had most successful offense in the NFL in one situation
Continue reading...
