The Dolphins lost the season finale in Foxborough 38-10. Miami concludes the season at 7-10 but uncovered several key building blocks in the process. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks put together a second sterling season with the Dolphins while kicker Riley Patterson set a franchise record, and the Dolphins ground game hit a rare milestone.
1. Brooks leads the NFL in tackles
Jordyn Brooks has been one of the Dolphins' best acquisitions in recent memory. He capped his season with a league-best 183 tackles, matching his career high set in 2021, giving him 326 tackles over two seasons in the middle of the Miami defense.
Brooks's Dolphins resume is loaded with eye-popping numbers. In two years with Miami, he has 24 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, nine passes defensed, a forced fumble and three recoveries.
2. Patterson sets franchise record for field goal percentage
Riley Patterson converted his lone field attempt Sunday, a 52-yarder in the second quarter. The kick was his 27th field goal made on just 29 attempts this season. His 93.1 field goal percentage edges out Jason Sanders' 2020 season when he made 92.3 percent of his kicks for the best mark in franchise history.
3. Run game eclipses 2,000
Despite not having team MVP and pro-bowl running back De'Von Achane available Sunday, the Dolphins ran for 63 yards in the defeat. The result gave Miami 2,044 rushing yards on the season, marking just the fourth time in the last 40 years that the team has surpassed 2,000 rushing yards.
Achane finished the season with 1,350 rushing yards. Running backs Jaylen Wright and Ollie Gordon added a combined 487 rushing yards as the team averaged 4.7 yards per carry and scored 14 touchdowns on the ground.
The Dolphins offensive line continuity played a big part in the accomplishment. Left tackle Patrick Paul and left guard Jonah Savaiinaea started all 17 games combining for 1,959 snaps. Center Aaron Brewer started 16 games earning a pro-bowl alternate bid in the process. Right guard Cole Strange earned the starting job in Week 4 and played every snap the rest of the season. Austin Jackson and Larry Borom collectively solidified the right tackle position.
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