Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 5 Recap: Giants Win, Four-Game Streak, and Playoff-Caliber Consistency

The Miami Dolphins kept their winning momentum rolling on Sunday, defeating the New York Giants 31-17 at Hard Rock Stadium to extend their streak to four games and solidify their hold on first place in the AFC East. What began as a tightly contested first half turned into a Dolphins showcase in the third quarter, with Tua Tagovailoa leading a dominant offensive surge and the defense shutting down Saquon Barkley’s running threat. For a team gearing up for a Week 6 showdown against the Chiefs, this win wasn’t just about adding another victory—it was about proving they can maintain playoff-caliber consistency, even against teams they’re expected to beat. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 5 Recap: Giants Win, Four-Game Streak, and Playoff-Caliber Consistency breaks down the defining moments of the game, highlights standout performances, and explores how this victory sets the stage for the Dolphins’ biggest test yet.

The Dolphins’ offense once again took center stage, delivering a balanced, efficient performance that neutralized the Giants’ physical defensive front. Tagovailoa, who faced constant pressure from Dexter Lawrence and Kayvon Thibodeaux early on, settled into a rhythm as the game progressed: he completed 29 of 38 passes for 326 yards and three touchdowns, with zero interceptions, and he used quick releases to avoid sacks (the Giants finished with just one sack, well below their season average of two per game). What stood out most was the Dolphins’ commitment to the run game—Raheem Mostert rushed for 91 yards on 20 carries (4.6 yards per attempt) and scored a touchdown, while De’Von Achane added 47 yards on 8 carries, including a 21-yard burst that set up Tagovailoa’s second touchdown pass. “We knew the Giants would stack the box to stop the run, but we stayed committed—and it paid off,” offensive coordinator Frank Smith said after the game. The Dolphins converted 8 of 12 third-down attempts, a season-high rate, and they scored touchdowns on four of their five red-zone trips— a marked improvement from their early-season struggles in the red zone. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 5 Recap: Giants Win, Four-Game Streak, and Playoff-Caliber Consistency emphasizes this offensive performance because it showed the Dolphins can adapt to physical defenses— a skill they’ll need against the Chiefs’ elite pass rush next week.

While the offense shined, the Dolphins’ defense deserves equal praise for shutting down the Giants’ run-heavy attack and forcing Daniel Jones into costly mistakes. Barkley, who entered the game with 342 rushing yards, was held to just 58 yards on 18 carries (3.2 yards per attempt)— well below his season average of 4.3 yards per carry. The Dolphins’ defensive line, led by Christian Wilkins (7 tackles, 1 sack) and Jaelan Phillips (5 tackles, 1 tackle for loss), clogged running lanes all game, and linebackers Andrew Van Ginkel and Mohamed Kamara made key stops on third-and-short to halt Giants drives. “Our goal was to make Barkley a non-factor—and we did that,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. The defense also forced Jones into two turnovers: a fumble recovered by Wilkins in the second quarter that set up a Dolphins touchdown, and an interception by Xavien Howard in the fourth quarter that sealed the win. Jones finished the game 22 of 35 for 218 yards and one touchdown, but he was under constant pressure (the Dolphins recorded 5 pressures) and made several hurried throws. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 5 Recap: Giants Win, Four-Game Streak, and Playoff-Caliber Consistency highlights this defensive effort because it continued the Dolphins’ run of strong performances against the run— they’ve held their last three opponents to an average of 68 rushing yards per game, a drastic improvement from their Week 2 struggles.

A key bright spot for the Dolphins was the emergence of secondary receivers, who stepped up when the Giants focused on double-teaming Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Hill still had a strong game (8 catches, 92 yards, 1 touchdown), but Waddle was limited to 6 catches for 78 yards— so tight end Durham Smythe and wide receiver Isaiah Ford filled the gap. Smythe caught 5 passes for 65 yards and a touchdown, including a 12-yard red-zone catch where he outmuscled a Giants linebacker to score. Ford, meanwhile, hauled in 4 passes for 51 yards, including a critical 18-yard catch on third-and-10 that extended a Dolphins drive in the third quarter. “We’ve been saying all season that we have more weapons than just Tyreek and Jaylen— and today, we proved it,” Tagovailoa said after the game. This balanced passing attack is a huge boost for the Dolphins, as it makes them harder to defend— opposing teams can’t just focus on Hill and Waddle anymore. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 5 Recap: Giants Win, Four-Game Streak, and Playoff-Caliber Consistency explores this receiver depth because it’s a sign the Dolphins’ offense is becoming more complete— and it will be crucial against the Chiefs, who have one of the league’s best secondaries.

Special teams, which the Dolphins targeted as a potential edge, delivered another strong performance, with Jason Sanders’ perfect streak and Jaylen Waddle’s return threat playing key roles. Sanders made all four of his extra-point attempts and his only field goal attempt (a 38-yarder in the second quarter), extending his perfect streak to 9 field goals and 16 extra points this season. Punter Jake Bailey continued his consistent play, averaging 46.8 yards per punt and pinning the Giants inside their 20-yard line twice— forcing New York to start drives in poor field position. Waddle, meanwhile, averaged 11.3 yards per punt return, including a 22-yard return in the first quarter that set up the Dolphins’ first touchdown. The coverage unit was also solid, holding Giants returner Wan’Dale Robinson to just 3.8 yards per punt return and 16.5 yards per kickoff return— well below his season averages. “Special teams is a big part of our success— we win the field position battle, and that makes it easier for our offense and defense,” special teams coordinator Danny Crossman said. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 5 Recap: Giants Win, Four-Game Streak, and Playoff-Caliber Consistency highlights this special teams success because it’s a reminder that the Dolphins are firing on all cylinders— and excellence in all three phases of the game is what will make them a tough opponent for the Chiefs.

Finally, Sunday’s win has given the Dolphins momentum and confidence heading into their Week 6 showdown against the Chiefs— a game that will be a true test of their Super Bowl credentials. At 4-1, the Dolphins are one of the NFL’s hottest teams, and they’ve proven they can beat both divisional rivals and non-conference opponents. The team’s success isn’t a fluke— it’s the result of smart roster building, strong coaching, and a culture of accountability that Mike McDaniel has fostered. While the Dolphins know the Chiefs will be their biggest challenge yet (Kansas City is 5-0 and ranks first in the NFL in total offense), they’re not intimidated. “We’ve worked hard to get here, and we’re ready to compete against the best,” McDaniel said. The players have also embraced this mindset: veterans like Hill and Wilkins have already started studying Chiefs film, and the team’s energy in practice this week is expected to be higher than ever. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 5 Recap: Giants Win, Four-Game Streak, and Playoff-Caliber Consistency concludes with this momentum because it’s clear the Dolphins are building something special. With a win over the Chiefs, they could establish themselves as the AFC’s top team— and take a huge step toward their goal of winning a Super Bowl. As they prepare for Week 6, all signs point to a team that’s hitting its stride— and ready to take on the NFL’s best.