The Dolphins are less than two weeks removed from hanging 70 points on the Broncos, nearly breaking the NFL’s single-game scoring record in the process. It’s the type of performance that’s bound to linger in the mind of opposing fans, and apparently, it also fills rival defensive coordinators with dread.
With the Giants up next on the docket, Miami’s dynamic offense is currently the bane of existence for New York defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale. Speaking with reporters on Thursday, Martindale recalled the previous night’s phone conversation with his wife, in which he told her he was “sleeping like a baby” while getting ready for the game.
But not in the way you might think.
“My wife called me last night before she went to bed. She said she was worried about me. She said, ‘Are you getting any sleep?’” Martindale said. “I said, ‘Yeah, I’m sleeping like a baby. Every two hours I wake up and cry and go to the bathroom and try to go back and get some more sleep.’”
Wink Martindale says he's been "sleeping like a baby" in preparation for the Dolphins:
— Giants Videos (@SNYGiants) October 5, 2023
"Every two hours I wake up and cry, go to the bathroom and try to go back and get some more sleep" 😂 pic.twitter.com/SiV4k6Ur12
Martindale didn’t stop there. He compared Miami’s speed to that of a Formula One race car and likened the Dolphins’ offensive unit as a whole to one of the greatest in league history: the “Greatest Show on Turf” Rams.
“It’s unbelievable, but that’s where this league’s heading with some of the other scores. The points have been up pretty high. I told our staff because we’re all old enough to remember the Greatest Show on Turf. This is like that, 2023, supersonic,” Martindale said. “I mean, they are fast, faster than that. … It’s not even turf there. It’s grass, and they’re still faster.”
The Dolphins’ high-powered offense aside, Martindale’s unit has gotten off to a bumpy start in 2023. Through four games, the Giants rank 29th in scoring defense at 30.5 points allowed per contest. Meanwhile, Miami’s offense ranks first in points (37.5) and yards (511) per game, making for what looks like a fairly lopsided matchup on paper.
Nevertheless, a sleep-deprived Martindale will try to do his part to help New York pull off the upset on the road come Sunday. The Giants are scheduled to face the Dolphins at 1 p.m. ET Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
