The Miami Dolphins began the regular season as one of the NFL’s most forceful rushing teams.
Miami averaged 4.73 yards per carry in the season’s first three games, and it scored six rushing touchdowns. Then Reggie Bush hurt his left knee, and the running game started sputtering.
The Dolphins’ ground game has been suffocated the last three weeks, culminating in Sunday’s game, when Miami only gained 19 yards on 18 carries in a 17-14 win over the St. Louis Rams.
When asked if the offense’s struggles on the ground were blocking issues, execution or slamming into a brick wall of defenders, Miami coach Joe Philbin deadpanned a “yes, yes, yes and yes” response before admitting that all apply.
Philbin’s team is averaging 2.1 yards per carry the last three games, which drops the team’s average to 3.7 yards per carry on the season.
Teams have been stacking the box, clogging the running lanes, trying to force the Dolphins to throw the ball.
“Obviously, we need to get some things fixed in the run game,” said Richie Incognito, the Dolphins’ starting left guard. “We’re going to use the bye as an opportunity to get better and get back on track.”
Bush, who leads the team with 434 yards and three rushing touchdowns on 98 carries, admits he’s being too patient.
“I have to do a better job running the ball and hitting holes,” said Bush, who gained 17 rushing yards on 12 carries against St. Louis. “This might be the worst performance I’ve had, so I have to do better.”