Pros and Cons of Miami’s Week 14 Bye

The Miami Dolphins will make franchise history during the 2021-22 season by playing 13 consecutive games to begin their campaign with their scheduled bye week not until week 14 on Dec. 12. Miami’s week 14 bye is the latest it has ever been for the organization.

Smooth Playing Groove or Path to Fizzling Out?

The 13 consecutive games could allow the Dolphins to smooth into a playing groove and get much-needed late-season rest to complete a playoff push.

Or it could be a recipe for injuries and the NFL could see Miami slowly fizzle out as the season goes on.

Miami Travels to Face Jacksonville in London

Additionally, Miami is one of four teams that will make the trip across the pond this season. But it is the only team that won’t receive its bye week following its game in London. It’ll face the Jacksonville Jaguars and have to take the 20-hour, round-trip flight home and prepare as if it’s a normal week when it hosts the Atlanta Falcons the following Sunday at 1 p.m. eastern.

Stay Away 2017

What the Dolphins can’t do is have the 2021-22 season mirror their 2017 season.

In 2017, Hurricane Irma forced Miami and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers into a week one bye week after the NFL failed them in finding an alternate location for the teams to play. Despite the cancelation coming on a Tuesday with the scheduled game on Sunday.

This created 16 straight weeks of Dolphins football, a pile up of injuries and clarity that Miami was gassed as the season got into November.

2017 also saw the Dolphins take a trip to England and receive no ensuing bye, a detrimental turning point in the early decline of their season.

They also saw starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill suffer a torn ACL in the later weeks of the year. Sure, this can’t be fully blamed on the late bye week as one play at any time anywhere can cause an injury, but the grueling week-in and week-out with no rest played a key part.

Regimented Routines: Critical for NFL Players

Oftentimes players are regimented in routine, whether that stems from eating habits, workout specifications or even medication. This can also range from specificities by days of the week to weeks at a time. With Miami’s bye week adjusted from week 11 to week one that season, the pre-established plans in preseason and what had already been done and administered got players off track.

Thankfully Miami is aware of the week 14 bye this time, but that doesn’t mean it will be enough to successfully prevent more injuries.

Week 13 Bye Produced 2021 Super Bowl Champion

On the flip side, the NFL saw multiple teams have a week 13 bye last season and have fairly successful seasons with limited major injuries.

The most notable team was Tampa Bay.

The Buccaneers were having an up and down season until they regrouped and had a late break, then went on to win the Super Bowl. It was as if the late break completely rejuvenated the team and allowed them an extra burst to go on the run they needed.

Let’s Break it Down

If one actually thinks about it, it can make sense.

In a season that lasts more than 20 weeks, if a team is playing their way to the Super Bowl, the later the bye week the better.

The late bye gives the team the best shot at being fresh with the ability to peak late in the season and playoffs.

Furthermore, if a player suffers an early-season injury that doesn’t put them on season-ending injured reserve, by the time week 14 rolls around, that could be the one-three months rest since they last played required for recovery.

It would be to the players’ benefit to using the late bye week as an extra week of rest without forfeiting a game.

Finally Playoff Bound?

Finally, let’s also think about this: Miami has only been to the playoffs four times in the last two decades. The Dolphins always seem to have a bye week that falls early in the season. It’s about time we get to try something new and have some hope (you’re allowed to laugh here).

– Kayla Morton is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins. She is also competing in the national Scott Fish Bowl fantasy football competition for FPC. If you’d like to donate with her please contact her via Twitter. Like and follow on Follow @northdakayla74 Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.