The Curse of the 70-20: Miami Dolphins’ downfall since their historic victory

The Miami Dolphins’ monumental 70-20 victory over the Denver Broncos on September 24, 2023, has taken on an ominous tone, as if it unleashed a curse on the franchise. That recreation, a franchise-record efficiency with 726 offensive yards and 10 touchdowns, showcased Tua Tagovailoa’s 309 passing yards and 4 scores, complemented by Raheem Mostert and De’Von Achane’s 285 mixed dashing yards, in line with Professional-Soccer-Reference.com.

Nevertheless, within the 23 video games since that triumph, Miami’s trajectory has plummeted, suggesting the 70-20 blowout could have marked the start of an inexplicable downturn. Since that historic win, the Dolphins have performed 23 video games, compiling an 11-12 report, equating to a .485 win share, per NFL.com. Their level differential over this span stands at -17, indicating they have been outscored by 17 factors collectively. This marks a pointy decline from their 3-0 begin in 2023, with the workforce ending 2024 at 8-9 and lacking the playoffs.

The offense, as soon as a high-flying unit, has struggled, averaging 21.3 factors per recreation in 2024, whereas the protection allowed 24.8 factors per recreation, rating twenty fifth towards the run. Accidents to Tagovailoa, who missed 5 video games in 2024, have compounded the problems.

In stark distinction, the Broncos, the recipients of that 70-20 defeat, have thrived in the identical 23-game interval. Denver boasts a 13-10 report (.576 win share) and a +88 level differential, in line with ESPN. This resurgence culminated in a 10-7 season in 2024, incomes them a playoff berth led by quarterback Bo Nix and a revitalized protection. The workforce that endured essentially the most factors in a recreation since 1966 has reworked that loss right into a springboard, whereas Miami’s dominance that day appears to have backfired.

Broncos thrive as Dolphins endure post-2023 curse

The statistical reversal is putting. Miami’s -17 level differential displays a workforce unable to maintain its early kind, underscoring their fragility. Denver’s +88 level differential, in the meantime, highlights a squad that has capitalized on its lowest second. The Dolphins’ 2023 excessive, the place they grew to become the primary NFL workforce to attain 70 factors since 1966, seems to have shifted momentum towards them, with every subsequent recreation feeling like a battle to beat that peak.

This disparity fuels the notion of a curse. The 70-20 recreation, as soon as a supply of delight, now looms as a turning level the place Miami’s fortunes reversed. The Broncos’ playoff look in 2024 contrasts sharply with Miami’s playoff absence, suggesting the victory could have jinxed the Dolphins’ trajectory. The query arises: Has the 70-20 triumph forged a lingering shadow over the workforce? With their present roster and training workers, together with a protection that has but to rebound, can Miami break this perceived curse in 2025? The info suggests a difficult street forward, leaving the franchise’s future unsure.