As the Miami Dolphins prepare for their Sunday game against the Indianapolis Colts, the team’s success may depend on a renewed commitment to tackle everything.

With the Colts allowing more rushing yards (931) than any team other than the New Orleans Saints (1,027) this season, the Dolphins are hoping their recent success on the ground could help them get back to .500 and recover to establish right in the middle of the AFC playoff race.

“This is just something that has to be a staple for us going forward,” Dolphins tackle Terron Armstead said of this week’s running game. “If we want to win games, we have to be able to win, but we also have to win games.”

The Dolphins have shown consistent dominance on the floor this season, but consistency has been an issue.

After leading the league in yards per rush in 2023, the team took a step back in early 2024, ranking just 18th in rushing yards through the first five weeks of the season.

With running backs Raheem Mostert and Jaylen Wright healthy and De’Von Achane (concussion) likely to return in Week 7, the Dolphins have a chance to maintain their ground game against a Colts defense that ranks 31st in rushing and yards Ranked 19th per carry (4.6) and allowed six touchdowns.

In Week 5, the Dolphins rushed for 193 yards in their 15-10 win over the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium.

Week 7 represents a unique opportunity for the Dolphins, especially as they continue to adjust to life without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who will be sidelined for at least one more game before returning in Week 9 against the Arizona Cardinals.

Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley will need the support of a strong running game to keep Miami’s offense balanced and relieve pressure in the passing game.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Friday that he knows the importance of being able to win in a variety of ways, and Sunday’s game against the Colts could be a chance for Miami to showcase that versatility.

“You can’t dictate those terms, so you have to be fully equipped to win a game in any way possible, which in playoff football is always, always – always a run game,” he said.

It’s no secret that the Dolphins’ offensive line will be crucial to their efforts to improve from their current status as the 22nd ranked offense in the NFL.

Despite some challenges early in the season, the O-line has begun to come together and delivered outstanding performances across the board in the win over New England. Pro Football Focus gave all of the Dolphins’ offensive players a rating above 70 in this game, most notably Armstead.

“I would say that in the National Football League it’s always important to be prepared for your opportunity and not worry about your opportunity,” McDaniel said. “I think the offensive line benefited us from the consistency.”

Despite the injuries plaguing the unit, including the absence of guard Isaiah Wynn, the group appears to be working together at the right time.

Week 7 could see the Dolphins backfield at full strength.

Mostert, who scored a league-high 18 rushing touchdowns in 2023, brings a physical style of play that Armstead said makes him fun to block.

“He’s physical, he’s violent,” Armstead said. “Defenders know they have to be at their best when they face him. He’s not the biggest, but he’s incredibly strong and always a dangerous threat.”

With Mostert and Wright healthy and Achane potentially back in the mix, the Dolphins get a dynamic group that can attack defenses in different ways. And with the Colts struggling to stop the run, Week 7 presents an ideal opportunity to exploit that weakness.

When talking about the running game, Armstead added, “It has to be the foundation of our offense because it opens up everything in the passing game, the other plays and the gadget plays that Mike (McDaniel) wants to install.” So the linebackers after “To get them up front, get the safety eyes and put Tyreek (Hill) and (Jaylen) Waddle behind them, we have to run the ball effectively.”

For the Dolphins, establishing the run game on Sunday could be the key to not only winning the game but also setting the tone for the rest of the season as the team looks to make its third straight playoff appearance under McDaniel.