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Dolphins special teams big area of concern

Team has given up key plays on special teams each of the last four weeks.

By Matt Trogdon
Brian Spurlock-US PRESSWIRE

The special teams unit has turned into a liability for the Miami Dolphins over the last four games, according to the Florida Sun-Sentinel. Over that period, they allowed a 79-yard punt return touchdown against Buffalo and a 98-yard kickoff return touchdown against Seattle. In addition, a mishandled snap by punter Brandon Fields turned into a touchdown for the New England Patriots and a muffed punt by Marcus Thigpen against the 49ers led to a San Francisco touchdown.

According to the Sun-Sentinel, the weak special teams performance of late stands in stark contrast to an impressive showing by that unit earlier in the season. In a 30-9 Week 8 victory over the Jets, rookie defensive end Oliver Vernon recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown, then blocked a field goal later in the game. Those efforts earned him AFC the special teams player of the week award

With the Dolphins sitting two games behind Pittsburgh for the final AFC Wild Card spot, they'll need to recover that special teams magic quickly if they want to see the postseason.

Photographs by cstreet.us, thelastminute, turtlemom nancy , fesek, kthypryn, justinwright, sue_elias, pointnshoot, and scrapstothefuture used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.