Miami Dolphins by the numbers headed into week 5

Some numbers on the Miami Dolphins as they head into week 5 against the Cincinnati Bengals.

• The defense ranks 1st in all of football against the rush, allowing 56.8 yards per game.  The Bengals rushing attack ranks in the middle of the pack on the ground, rushing for 110 yards per game.

• The Fins actually dropped down to 5th in the league on the ground with 153.2 yards per game, dropping one spot after only rushing for 86 yards last week.

• Brian Hartline leads the NFL in receiving yards with 455.  Ironically, A.J. Green is 2nd with 428 yards.  Might there be a battle within the war this weekend between these two?

• Cameron Wake is tied for 6th in the league with 4.5 sacks, three behind leader J.J. Watt.

• The Fins offense ranks 14th in the NFL with 10 touchdowns on the year, six behind the league leading Buffalo Bills.  Some notable teams behind Miami include Detroit, Pittsburgh, Dallas, and Philadelphia.

• The knee injury to Reggie Bush has set him back slightly from where he was two weeks ago among running backs.  He's dropped from 2nd to to 6th, 54 yards behind leader Marshawn Lynch.

• Despite Sean Smith's two interceptions last week, and limiting Larry Fitzgerald to only 64 yards, the Fins defense ranks 29th against the pass. The Bengals offense ranks 8th in the passing game, with 279.2 yards per game.  This will be a problem on Sunday.

• Dan Carpenter has missed three field goals this season (5/8), that's only one shy of league leader Billy Cundiff, who's missed four (6/10).

• Ryan Tannehill ranks 31st in the league with a 66.4 QB rating.  However, he has the second most passing yards out of all five rookies, 1,046, and trails only RGIII with 1,070 yards.

• Despite the Fins 1-3 record, they only trail by 1 game in the AFC East. After Sunday's game, the schedule favors Miami for the next five weeks, as they will host St. Louis and Tennessee, and travel to New York and Indianapolis (not in that order), with a bye week squished in the middle.

• Some notable rookie season comparisons to keep things in perspective. These numbers represent the stats after each of the following QB's first 4 games started of their careers.  Also included is their records after four games:

Peyton Manning: 81-146, 992 yards, 3 TD's, 11 INT.  QB rating: 52.0  (0-4)

Drew Brees: 57-96, 609 yards, 4 TD's, 3 INT.  QB rating: 78.8  (4-0)

Aaron Rodgers:  78-126, 961 yards, 6 TD's, 3 INT.  QB rating:  91.4  (2-2)

Tom Brady: 74-121, 820 yards, 5 TD's, 0 INT.  QB rating:  95.0  (3-1)

Brett Favre:  89-134, 998 yards, 5 TD's, 1 INT.  QB rating:  97.7  (2-2)

Average: 75-124, 876 yards, 5 TD's, 4 INT.  QB rating:  82.9  (2-2)

Ryan Tannehill:  80-143, 1,046 yards, 2 TD's, 6 INT.  QB rating:  66.4  (1-3)

As you can see, Tannehill is right in the middle of the pack.  His TD's are slightly down, his interceptions are slightly up, and his QB rating isn't where you'd like it. However, his passing yards are there, and he's got a win under his belt.  Just some food for thought to keep things in perspective, folks. The kid's come a far way, but he's got miles to go as well.

Until next time, adios.