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The Miami Dolphins are approaching a pivotal bye week, which comes at a critical moment for a team struggling to find its footing this season. With a 2-3 record, the Dolphins narrowly avoided another loss in Week 5, benefiting from facing the New England Patriots, a team they managed to outplay.

Despite the bye week offering a chance for players to rest and recover, the front office and coaching staff have no time to relax. Head Coach Mike McDaniel faces some tough decisions, particularly concerning the future of Special Teams Coordinator Danny Crossman. Under Crossman’s guidance, the Dolphins’ special teams have fallen short repeatedly, with the nadir coming against the Patriots: a blocked punt, a botched snap on a field goal, a missed field goal, a false start on a field goal, and poor tackling during punt coverage all occurred in one game. Such consistent failures spotlight the urgent need for change.

Meanwhile, McDaniel himself has introspective work to do. The realization that a strong running game can secure victories needs to translate into action. The Dolphins’ lackluster offensive performance over recent weeks suggests it might be time for McDaniel to relinquish play-calling duties to see if another coach might produce better results. McDaniel’s nonchalant attitude has worn thin among fans, particularly without the wins to back it up. To transform the Dolphins into a competitive team, McDaniel must embrace and implement significant changes during this bye week.

General Manager Chris Grier is also under pressure as he assesses the team’s roster. Relying heavily on one-year contract players has proven to be a misstep, contributing to the team’s current predicament. Injuries and poor offseason decisions have left gaps in key positions such as guard, linebacker, safety, and wide receiver. Grier has this week to identify and bring in viable free agents and practice squad players who can strengthen the roster.

With a series of urgent issues to address, the Dolphins’ bye week is more than just a break; it’s a crucial juncture that could define the rest of their season.