6 Things I Learned From Week 9 of the NFL Season

The AFC Better Watch Miami

While everyone looks at what Pittsburgh and New England have done of late in the AFC, it seems like we're ignoring Miami. After a 37-0 beatdown against San Diego, we shouldn't be.

The Dolphins entered Week 9 as our 8th-best team, while the Chargers ranked 14th. Let thank sink in for a second. Prior to this week's contest, the Dolphins were a top-10 team in the NFL analytically.

How have they turned things around? Well, for one, the defense is one of the best units in the NFL. Before shutting out the fifth-best offense in the league, per our metrics, Miami ranked second in total defense, behind only Detroit. Now, after a dominating performance against Philip Rivers, they'll be first after Week 9 is over.

The other reason for Miami's success has been the play of quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The third-year passer started his season slow, and had a -17.08 Passing NEP through the first three weeks of the season. But since Week 4, Tannehill's numbers have increased to about a 32 Passing NEP. That's roughly 12.25 Passing Net Expected Points per game for the Dolphins' quarterback. That pace over a 16-game season is what Drew Brees essentially does each year.