It’s been said time and time again, but remains true all the same: if the Miami Dolphins are going to turn their season around, they’ll need better production from star WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
If there’s ever a week for them to make a statement, it’s this one.
At home against the 2-7 Las Vegas Raiders, the 3-6 Dolphins are favored by 7.5 points. Considering Miami is better on paper than its record, the Dolphins should win by even more than that.
That being said, if the Raiders do have one strength, it’s their pass defense, where they rank eighth in the NFL in fewest yards given up. If the Dolphins are truly set on proving a point, they will take that strength away.
Hill and Waddle are good enough to do it, and now with starting QB Tua Tagovailoa back healthy, they’re itching to have that breakout week. In nine games this season, Hill has caught only 37 passes for 462 yards and two touchdowns, while Waddle has accumulated 31 receptions for 367 yards and just one score.
Hill himself has been dealing with a minor wrist injury, which has likely hampered his production — and by extension Waddle’s, as defenses can give him more attention when Hill is struggling. He’s determined to play through it, and after being a game-time decision last week, Hill has no designated injury status this Sunday.
With each passing week that the Dolphins’ receivers don’t perform up to expectations, the noise surrounding their struggles grows louder. If Miami can jump out to an early lead against the Raiders, expect lots of passes to be thrown Hill’s and Waddle’s ways in order to wake them up.