Dolphins’ Last Best Chances to Escape 0-17

The Miami Dolphins are 0-5, and finding a win on their schedule has become a challenge.

Miami already lost its best offensive player, De’Von Achane, to a torn ACL in Week 3. The Dolphins also have the league’s youngest roster, and they lack talent and depth at nearly every level.

Through five weeks, Miami ranks 28th in the NFL in offensive yards per game (280.2) and 31st in points scored (14.0).

The Dolphins, along with the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers, are one of three winless teams remaining in the NFL. There hasn’t been a winless team since the league expanded to a 17-game schedule in 2021.

Only five teams have gone winless in NFL history: the 2017 Cleveland Browns, 2008 Detroit Lions, 1982 Baltimore Colts during the strike-shortened season, 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers and 1960 Dallas Cowboys.

The odds are certainly stacked against the Dolphins avoiding an entire 17-game season without a victory. But with 12 games remaining, Miami still has several chances to add wins to the column.

Here are the Dolphins’ four best chances to win:

at New York Jets, Oct. 25

Miami will play the Jets twice, and those games could be the Dolphins’ best chance to get a win—or even two, finally.

New York has been inconsistent through five weeks. After defeating the Titans in Week 1, the Jets lost three straight before beating the Browns in Week 5.

Since 2020, the Dolphins have owned this series, winning 10 of the past 12 meetings, including five of the past six.

The Jets have improved under Aaron Glenn in his second year as head coach. They are currently tied for third in the NFL with 17 sacks.

Miami will also have its bye week before facing New York, giving the Dolphins extra time to prepare.

at Indianapolis Colts, Nov. 15

Indianapolis has one of the league’s worst defenses through five weeks.

The Colts rank 28th in yards allowed per game (384.2) and 27th in points allowed (27.6).

Miami will have to slow down Jonathan Taylor, one of the league’s best running backs, but this could be one of the more favorable matchups left on the schedule.

vs. New York Jets, Nov. 29

If the Dolphins want to end their losing streak, this could be their best chance.

The Jets haven’t won in Miami in 10 tries, with their last victory at Hard Rock Stadium coming in Rex Ryan’s final game as head coach in 2014.

New York has also struggled badly against the AFC East. The Jets are 6-30 against division opponents since 2020, including an identical 2-10 record against each of their three rivals: the Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots.

History suggests Miami should have a legitimate shot in this one.

vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Dec. 27

As big of a disaster as the Dolphins have been this season, the Chargers could be an even bigger mess.

Under new offensive coordinator and former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, Los Angeles’ offense has struggled, ranking near the bottom of the NFL in scoring (16.8 points per game) and expected points added (EPA) per play.

Justin Herbert has also looked uncharacteristically out of sync, throwing for 937 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions.

A loss to the Dolphins would only turn up the heat on McDaniel — and potentially make things even more uncomfortable for head coach Jim Harbaugh.

For the Dolphins, this could be one of their last realistic opportunities to avoid an embarrassing piece of NFL history.

With 12 games left, Miami doesn’t need to become a good team overnight. It just needs to find one opponent it can finally beat.