At face value, the Dolphins’ 2016 running statistics provide a very confusing picture, particularly when compared to those of their opponents.
To the surprise of many, which would include just about anyone who has watched opposing running attacks shred the Dolphins’ defense, Miami actually has a better yards-per-carry average than their rivals, and more rushing touchdowns. What comes as no surprise is the fact that the Dolphins have run the ball an average of 18.5 yards per game, while their opponents have averaged a whopping 34.7 rushing attempts per contest.
To put that into perspective, consider that between 2012 and 2015, under the Joe Philbin and Dan Campbell regimes, which were often criticized for abandoning the run by halftime, the Dolphins averaged 23.