Let’s Get a Bit Crazy About the Dolphins’ Playoff Chances

Let’s Get a Bit Crazy About the Dolphins’ Playoff Chances

The Miami Dolphins are probably not going to make the playoffs this season. At 4-7, the outlook is bleak; however, part of being a fan is embracing delusion, and there’s no better time to do so than the week when Miami is on a bye.

Without a game to worry about in the team’s immediate future, we might as well try to map out the course for the rest of the season and convince ourselves that there is a chance that the team returns to the postseason. Technically, there is hope. Former coach and current Barstool Sports analyst Jon Gruden thinks that there is a possibility that they will be in playoff contention in a few weeks. The team has even appeared on the “in the hunt” section of the AFC Playoff bracket graphic.  

The first hurdle the Dolphins will face after coming off their bye week will be the New Orleans Saints. The Saints pulled off a surprise victory over their divisional rivals, the Carolina Panthers, last week, but it only brought their record to 2-8. It’s possible that rookie QB Tyler Shough could continue to provide the team with solid play and help right the ship, but things will become clearer after they play the Falcons this week.

Ultimately, I believe that Miami should be favored in this game and pull out the win. 

Next up, they will play the New York Jets. At first glance this should be an easy win for Miami, the only thing that gives me pause is the fact that the Jets have decided to switch from Justin Fields to Tyrod Taylor at QB.

When he was with the Bills, Taylor always seemed to be a Dolphin killer, and he has a career record of 5-4 against Miami. Granted, he has lost his last two starts against them with the Texans and Giants, but Miami should be able to even up their record against him. 

Following their matchup against the Jets, they face two AFC North opponents: the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cincinnati Bengals. The Steelers started the season off well, going 4-1 and looking poised to win the division, but they’ve lost 3 of their last five games and fallen to 6-4 with the Ravens right at their heels. Aaron Rodgers is being coy about his wrist injury, so it is difficult to predict how healthy he’ll be when the teams face off. If he can’t go, that bodes well for the Dolphins.