Chris Perkins: Dolphins’ turnover margin in past four games (+8) could be huge for playoffs, if it’s maintained
MIAMI GARDENS — December football always carries more weight. With that thought in mind, don’t ignore what’s happened with the Miami Dolphins this month. It’s significant for now, and the future.
I’m not talking about the Dolphins’ 3-1 record in December, highlighted by that gritty 22-20 Christmas Eve win over the Dallas Cowboys.
I’m talking about the Dolphins being plus-8 in turnover margin in their past four games.
The Dolphins’ December turnover margin isn’t just a statistic. It’s a testament to improvement, it’s a symbol of focus.
Most importantly, the turnover margin is one way you win in December. And beyond.
You don’t beat yourself, and you don’t make it easier for your opponent to beat you.
Most Dolphins players weren’t aware that they’re plus-8 in turnover margin in the past four games.
“I don’t know anything about it,” cornerback Xavien Howard said. “I just play the game.”
But they know the importance of that number.
“In football in general, especially when you start to play in December and January, and hopefully in February, turnover battle is going to be one of the biggest things,” offensive tackle Kendall Lamm said.
“As you start going down the stretch and you play very good teams, one, two, maybe three plays, if you’re lucky, can change the whole entire game. So winning the turnover battle, that’s always going to be crucial. When it’s one and done, it’s a premium.”
Four weeks ago Miami was minus-5 in turnover margin.
The Dolphins have since surged to plus-3. They’re now tied for 11th in the league with Seattle and Indianapolis.
Baltimore, Sunday’s opponent, shares the league lead at plus-10 along with Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay.
Kansas City, just so you know, is tied for last in the league with Washington at minus-10.
Coach Mike McDaniel values turnover margin.
It’s among his most meaningful statistics.
He treasures it for its significance.
So you know he absolutely loves this December development for what it symbolizes.
“That’s what I concern myself with across the board with everything — intent and progression, improvement,” McDaniel said.
The repercussions of improving turnover margin could be far-reaching.
“I know one thing, turnover margin doesn’t improve if you have people just like, ‘Yeah, his fault,’ ” McDaniel said, “so I think that speaks to accountability.”
McDaniel, in case you’ve forgotten, is very process-oriented as opposed to being results-oriented.
He places high priority on guys who meticulously work at their craft, every day, making incremental gains that add up to monumental results.
That’s what McDaniel sees in his team flipping its turnover margin in four weeks.
“I think it speaks to what is of paramount importance as anything to me,” he said, “and that is the process of getting better at things.”
Miami’s turnover margin has been impressive recently:
The Dolphins were plus-1 in turnover margin in their 45-15 victory at Washington;
Miami was plus-2 in its 28-27 loss to Tennessee;
The Dolphins were plus-4 in their 30-0 victory over the New York Jets;
And Miami was plus-1 in its victory over Dallas.
“Obviously, we didn’t have a good game against Tennessee,” said quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who hasn’t thrown an interception during this stretch, “but with the merit of these other games it’s worked in our favor.”
Last season the Dolphins finished minus-7 in turnover margin, tied for 29th in the league.
This season the Dolphins never dipped that low. The minus-5 was the low-water mark and it’s been quickly reversed.
That makes McDaniel happy because it’s a testament to his team’s focus.
“Right now I’m very happy with the football team,” he said, “because what I see is coaches putting it upon themselves to give players tools in a relentless fashion, and I see players relentlessly taking those tools and asking for more.”
Interestingly, the turnover margin wasn’t a factor for the Dolphins in this season’s biggest games.
Miami is even in turnover margin against Buffalo (-2), Philadelphia (+1), Kansas City (even) and Dallas (+1) even though it has a 1-3 record in those games.
The Dolphins maintain they’ve beaten themselves in losses against the Bills, Eagles and Chiefs. But turnovers weren’t the reason.
The fact that the Dolphins are streaking at the right time when it comes to turnover margin could be a harbinger of good things to come.
“The ball is oddly shaped in general,” McDaniel said. “It bounces funny ways. But if you are controlling what you can control, (if) you’re focused on the things that a team totally necessitates you to be focused on, and you do that across the board on a grand scale, generally good things happen.
“When you have a talented team, even better things happen.”