How have the Dolphins turned things Around?

The last time the Patriots saw the Miami Dolphins wound up being the both the low and turning points of the Dolphins' season. The Patriots erased a 17-3 halftime deficit to hand the Dolphins their fourth straight loss. After the game, All Pro center Mike Pouncey was served a legal subpoena by state police related to the ongoing Aaron Hernandez investigation.

The following day, tackle Jonathan Martin abruptly left the team, citing a toxic and unhealthy work environment created by bullying. Within days, Richie Incognito had been outed as the n-word screaming ringleader and the Dolphins locker room had become the center of an embarrassing national story. It was assumed by most that the team would quickly fall apart in the face of such distraction, with GM Jeff Ireland likely paying for it with his job.

The Dolphins players apparently didn't want to stick to the script. Miami has gone 4-2 since that loss to New England, playing themselves right back into the playoff picture in the process. At 7-6, they remain only a half game back of Baltimore (courtesy of a Week 5 loss to the Ravens) for the AFC's final playoff berth. They are in prime position to capitalize if Baltimore slips up, something which remains very possible as the Ravens face three likely playoff teams to close out their season.

So, how exactly have the Dolphins pulled off this surprising turnaround?

Ryan Tannehill has limited turnovers

The aforementioned four game losing streak has been the only below-average stretch of the season for Miami. Aside from that streak, during which three of the four losses came to potential playoff teams in New Orleans, New England and Baltimore, the Dolphins are 7-2. They've beaten two likely playoff teams in Indianapolis (pre-Reggie Wayne injury) and Cincinnati, and nearly beat the 9-4 Panthers.

The logical question becomes: what went wrong during that losing streak? A mere glance at the stat sheet shows the obvious answer: turnovers. Ryan Tannehill threw 7 interceptions (half of his full-season total of 14) in that four game span. He also had 3 fumbles lost, while completing less than 52.5% of his passes in three of those games. There's no way to sugarcoat it. Tannehill simply wasn't good enough.

Since then, Tannehill has done a much better job of limiting those turnovers. He hasn't lost a fumble since that Logan Ryan blindside blitz. His completion percentage has been very good during that stretch (65%), while is yards and touchdowns have also jumped. Tannehill hasn't been perfect, as he has thrown a pick in each of the last five games, but he's avoided the disastrous multi-turnover affairs that lose games.

Tannehill's solid play has allowed some of his offensive teammates to break out statistically as well. Tight end Charles Clay has emerged as a playmaker, catching 24 balls for 294 yards and 3 touchdowns in the last four games. Brian Hartline has been more involved, catching at least five balls in each of the last five games. Mike Wallace has been more of a wild card than the franchise player the Dolphins are paying him to be, but he did have back-to-back big games before posting a quiet 2 catch, 19 yard line in last weeks win.

Some Semblance of a Running Game

The Dolphins won't be mistaken for any power-rushing juggernaut, but the much maligned Dolphins backfield have finally started to give the offense some semblance of balance. The Dolphins actually built some positive momentum in this area from the Pats game, in which they rushed for a then-season high 156 yards.

A quick glance at the stat sheet shows that running the ball has been the difference between winning and losing in the past six weeks for these Dolphins. They've averaged 141 rushing yards per game during their four wins in that span. In their two losses, that number drops to a paltry 27 yards a game, thanks in part to a pathetic 2 yard performance against the then-winless Bucs. It is worth noting that one of those losses came at the hands of a Carolina team which has shut down the run all season.

During that time, both Daniel Thomas and Lamar Miller have flashed the talent that made them highly touted prospects. Miller followed up his strong performance in Foxboro with 105 yards in only 16 carries against the Dolphins, but he's since been overshadowed by former second round pick Thomas. Thomas matched Miller's statline with 105 yards and a touchdown last week against Pittsburgh, picking up the slack for his concussed running mate.

The improvement from the team's running back has helped the entire offense. It's allowed the playcalling to become more balanced. This in turn has helped the offensive line do a slightly better job at protecting Tannehill, despite being down two opening day starters as a result of the Incognito scandal. Opposing defenses have to respect the threat of the run now, which prevents pass rushers from being able to just tee off on the quarterback. Tannehill is still getting hit far too much, but the sacks have thankfully cut down from the ridiculous 4.5 per game they were allowing during the four game losing streak.

Both backs are expected to be ready to go this week against the Patriots, and both will likely be licking their chops at the prospects of facing one of the league's worst run defenses.