Some Additional Context Now that the Dolphins are Eliminated from the Playoffs

Some Additional Context Now that the Dolphins are Eliminated from the Playoffs

Any semblance of hope Miami Dolphins fans were clinging to that the team would qualify for the playoffs was dashed on Monday. The Dolphins picked up their eighth loss of the 2025 season at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers and consequently got eliminated from playoff contention in the AFC.

A third quarter from hell spoiled the Dolphins’ shot to extend their winning streak to five games, as they got outscored 14-0 in the frame after they trailed the Steelers by just four at the halftime break. Miami played a whole lot better in the fourth (it mustered 12 of its 15 points in the game in the final frame alone), but not well enough to make up for its woeful start to the second half, as it lost by a score of 28-15.

Miami still has three more games left on its regular-season schedule — a Dec. 21 bout against the Cincinnati Bengals, Dec. 28 contest versus the Tampa Bay Buccaneer,s and Jan. 4 game versus the New England Patriots — but will have little motivation to win those contests. However, it is worth noting that the Dolphins can still finish the season with a record above the .500 mark at 9-8 if they win out from here.

It’s now official that the Dolphins have missed out on a playoff berth for the second consecutive season. Miami’s 2024 season was similarly underwhelming (though for different reasons), as quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was limited to 11 games with injuries and the team won just eight of its 17 contests. Last season marked the first time the Dolphins missed the playoffs under head coach Mike McDaniel.

Another season to forget for Miami could spark a whole lot of changes in the offseason. There appears to be a real possibility that the Dolphins will be led by a new head coach and starting quarterback when the 2026 season commences.