The Miami Dolphins fell to 1-2 after Sunday's 34-15 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs and changes could be coming quickly. On Monday, head coach Joe Philbin declined to answer whether quarterback Ryan Tannehill would start in Week 4.
The Dolphins will travel to London and face the Oakland Raiders at Wembley Stadium in Week 4, but as of now it's unknown who their starting quarterback will be. On four separate occasions when talking to reporters on Monday, Philbin was not clear about the status of the team's starting quarterback and replied, "We're going to get our 46 best players in the game and we're going to utilize them the best way possible," numerous times.
Tannehill has struggled thus far into his third NFL season, completing just 56.5% of his passes and throwing four touchdowns and two interceptions. His quarterback rating is only 74.1, and the only receiver with significant statistics through the team's first three games is Mike Wallace, who has 17 receptions for 211 yards and two touchdowns. Tannehill ranks last in the NFL in yards per pass attempt with just 5.03. The offensive line has been banged up and he hasn't been able to play with center Mike Pouncey (recovering from hip surgery) yet this year, but there's been no problem with the running game, which leaves some question marks. Lamar Miller (37 carries for 213 yards) and Knowshon Moreno (25 carries for 138 yards) are averaging over five yards per carry (both more than Tannehill's yards per pass attempt).
Although Philbin was vague about the starting quarterback for next week, it's highly unlikely he gives the start to backup Matt Moore.
But Tannehill can't be the only person to blame for the Dolphins two dismal losses. The defense has been particularly poor throughout the course of the season, giving up seven touchdowns and 287 rush yards over the past two games while only forcing two turnovers. They've surrendered a total of 63 points as well. According to Adam Beasley of the Miami Herald, some players on the Miami defense are "irate" with defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle's game plan following their loss to the Chiefs.
"Players are privately questioning a host of decisions, including Coyle's call to have Cameron Wake and Jason Trusnik cover speedy Chiefs running back Joe McKnight in space, said another," wrote Beasley. "McKnight exploited the matchups and had two touchdown catches in the second half Sunday."
It should be pretty unsettling for the Dolphins organization that just two losses have caused such a stir, especially now that it's all transparent. If they lose to the Raiders, some personnel changes could come fairly quickly.
