On November 6th, 2025, the Miami Dolphins made a sudden change that didn’t look like much at the time. It came right after the decision to fire longtime general manager Chris Grier, signaling a larger reset across the organization. It didn’t involve a new playbook, a lineup shuffle, or any dramatic announcement.
They removed the Pop-A-Shot machine from the locker room.
It might seem like a meaningless move, but Miami is undefeated at 3–0 since removing both the Pop-A-Shot and moving on from Grier, two very different exits that somehow mark the exact turning point.
Resurgence of the Run Game
The turnaround hasn’t come from a sudden offensive explosion. Tua Tagovailoa is still having an underwhelming season. He’s topped 200 passing yards in only five of his 12 games, and is tied for the most interceptions in the NFL entering Week 14, with 14 picks.
With Tyreek Hill sidelined for the year, the Dolphins have leaned heavily on the run game. Mike McDaniel, who initially made his name as the 49ers’ run game coordinator, is one of the best minds in the league at blending a motion-based passing attack with a strong ground game. Miami leads the league in motion rate and ranks in the top third in play-action usage, giving McDaniel the tools to make the offense click even when the passing numbers aren’t flashy.
At the center of Miami’s offensive resurgence is De’Von Achane. Already over 1,000 rushing yards on the season and leading the team in receptions with 54, Achane has been the engine and glue of the offense. His vision, burst, and ability to make defenders miss have given Miami a reliable playmaker to lean on when the passing game falters.
Helping Achane shine is the standout play of center Aaron Brewer. One of the league’s best run-blocking centers, Brewer carries an 89.6 run-block grade from PFF, second among all starters. Whether it’s opening lanes up the middle, kicking out defenders on the edge, or sustaining blocks downfield, Brewer has provided Achane the space to turn routine carries into game-changing plays.
Timely Defensive Takeaways
On defense, Miami has tightened across the board.
Through Week 13, Jordyn Brooks leads the league with 137 tackles, anchoring a once-struggling middle of the defense. Chop Robinson and Bradley Chubb are making key plays up front, a responsibility that grew after the Dolphins traded away Jalen Phillips.
The secondary has been generating turnovers at crucial moments. Jack Jones came up with a game-winning interception in overtime against the Commanders in Week 11. Minkah Fitzpatrick recorded a pick-two to flip the score against New Orleans in Week 13, and Rasul Douglas helped seal the win later that game with an interception of his own.
McDaniel Still Has the Locker Room
The players are fighting hard for Mike McDaniel, and they’re proving it every week. They could have easily folded, packed it in, and accepted an early draft pick, which some might argue would be better for the long-term future.
Instead, they’ve leaned into the grind. It’s a testament to McDaniel’s ability to lead and motivate a group many believed was finished. And sure, people can joke about whether removing the Pop-A-Shot sparked this run, but the Dolphins are playing with a focus and edge that wasn’t there earlier in the season.
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A Playoff Path That Isn’t Closed Yet
Miami’s remaining schedule leaves the door cracked open. At 5–7, the playoff odds are slim, but they’re alive, and a few more wins could turn this late-season surge into something more than a midyear headline.
What’s impossible to ignore is how sharply their fortunes flipped once the Pop-A-Shot disappeared from the locker room. Call it a coincidence or superstition, but the results speak for themselves. If the Dolphins keep stacking wins, this stretch stops being a joke about a missing arcade hoop and becomes something real, with a legit chance to play meaningful football in January.
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