Miami Dolphins To Debut Dope ‘Color Rush’ Uniforms on TNF

Headed Into Thursday Night’s Matchup Against the Bengals, the Dolphins Hope for A Little ‘Look Good, Play Good’ Boost

Despite the first win of the Adam Gase era in Miami, the Dolphins have given fans little to cheer about since the season began last month.

The Dolphins have been decimated by injuries over the last few weeks and are already plummeting toward the cellar of the AFC East (1-2).However, Thursday Night Football against the Bengals might be just what the Dolphins need.

This season, the Dolphins have a tendency of ‘playing to the competition. Miami’s players match the energy level and intensity of their opponent. The Dolphins have remained competitive in each game that they have played thus far. They may just need a spark to awaken the team from it’s slumber.

Enter these fresh, new Color Rush uniforms that the Dolphins will be wearing against the Bengals on Thursday Night:

The new Miami Dolphins alternate uniform is reminiscent of the old school, 1980’s Miami Hurricanes jerseys with a small dash of the Dolphins’ retrofitted look.

I totally dig the full orange uniform. The Dolphins once wore an orange top in the late 2000’s, but I only recall the team wearing it once or twice. The Dolphins have never worn orange pants. It would be pretty sweet if they mixed them into the rotation with teal tops at home and white tops on the road.

Bengals v. Dolphins Preview

Anyway, that isn’t the only reason that the Dolphins should be excited to play the Bengals on Thursday Night Football. There are actual football, non-jersey related elements of this game that cut in the Dolphins favor.

The Bengals offensive line has been an absolute mess. Cincinnati is currently tied for last in the NFL in sacks allowed (12) and third to last in yards lost due to sacks (59). The Bengals offensive unit has been reeling since the departure of offensive coordinator Hue Jackson.

It appears as though the offensive line has been hit the hardest.

The Dolphins actually have a really talented defensive line. Miami Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake is an elite pass-rusher and Ndamukong Suh is an expert in creating messes for interior offensive linemen.

Through the first three games of the NFL season, the Dolphins defense is seventh in the league in sacks (9) and third in the league in forced fumbles (5).

There is reason to believe that the Dolphins also have a strategic advantage when on defense. First-year Miami defensive coordinator Vance Joseph spent the last two seasons with the Bengals as their defensive backs coach.

Joseph will get the chance to prove himself in front of a national audience tomorrow night.

I anticipate Joseph’s experience with the Bengals personnel could be a difference maker in the game tomorrow night.

After several seasons calling plays against the Bengals offense in practice, Coach Joseph probably knows exactly that it takes to get under Andy Dalton‘s skin.

The Dolphins have two statistical advantages when on offense. Cincinnati’s defense is in the bottom half of the league in defense against the run they allow over 109 yards on the ground per game. If Adam Gase’s offense can utilize the team’s four running backs effectively, it can both wear down the Bengals defense and keep their offensive unit off of the field.

Issues along the Miami offensive line should help the Bengals pass-rush which has not been very good. Cincinnati is currently 24th in the NFL with only four (4) sacks. The Bengals defense will regain the services of linebacker Vontaze Burfict tonight. His presence could drastically change the course of Cincinnati’s middle-of-the-road defense.

Unfortunately, the Dolphins might be without the services of many of their better players this week. Headed into the game tomorrow night, the following Dolphins did not participate in practice today due to injury. This includes Mike Pouncey , Anthony Steen, Brandon Albert, Arian Foster, Koa Misi  and Jelani Jenkins. Jarvis Landry  was limited in practice.

I would expect Albert, Jenkins and Landry to play, while Pouncey, Steen and Misi likely will not.

If the Dolphins do win in Cincinnati off of a short week, perhaps the team will consider making the all-orange uniform a team staple.