This is it. This is the year Dolphins fans have been waiting for since their last playoff berth in the 2016/17 season. Miami has a great chance of making the postseason for the first time in five years this upcoming season. That is, as long as they don’t squander it.
Ever since the 2016/17 season, Miami has long flirted with the prospect of making the playoffs. But like with most flirtations, they came away with nothing in the end.
Miami has had two consecutive winning seasons for the “first time in forever”, as Anna from Frozen sings. Well, it’s actually only been 19 years (2001/2002 season-2002/2003 season), but Anna may as well be right.
Not since Jay Feidler was Miami’s starting QB have the Dolphins possessed the slightest hint of winning consistently. Yet, even in those two years under Feidler, Miami failed to make the playoffs.
You would have to look at the two prior seasons for a time when Miami actually made the playoffs in two consecutive years with a winning record.
The Dolphins have been the textbook definition of a chaotic mess for over twenty years. I almost feel bad for Miami fans.
(I would feel bad for the Fins if they would just stop beating the Patriots every single year they play down in South Florida)
But, like I said, this feels like the year Miami finally makes a step forward and gets back into the playoffs.
Yet, before I begin with their offseason breakdown, I must briefly address the Brian Flores situation. I still don’t understand why Miami owner Stephen Ross decided to fire the only head coach in the past twenty years to EARN back-to-back winning seasons for the Dolphins.
Under Flores, the Dolphins had their most competitive and consistent seasons since Marino was the starting QB. I’m sure Mike McDaniel is a good head coach, but his whole tenure will be clouded by this controversy.
As to the controversy itself, I’m not sure if Flores’ allegations of discrimination and purposeful tanking against Ross are true. It is not my place to make a conclusion as that is the job of the NFL investigators. All I can say is that if they are true, then Stephen Ross should no longer be the Miami Dolphins owner and Flores should be rightfully compensated.
Anyway, back to the Dolphins’ offseason roster acquisitions. They have been outstanding so far.
Starting with Free Agency, the Dolphins dramatically improved their offense by signing WR Cedrik Wilson III, G Connor Williams, T Terron Armstead, RB Raheem Mostert, RB Sony Michael, RB Chase Emmonds, FB Alec Ingold, QB Teddy Bridgewater, resigning star TE Mike Gesicki, and trading for All-Pro WR Tyreek Hill.
Add future All-Pro WR Jaylen Waddle to the mix, and this offense has gone from being just good to elite in a single offseason. The only question remining is: Can Tua Tagovailoa take the next step to becoming a decent starting quarterback? If the answer is yes, then Miami will make the playoffs easily.
However, if the answer is no, then it could be a real struggle just finishing second in the AFC East, let alone in one of the Top-7 playoff spots. (Offense Ranking Prediction: 5th-10th)
Okay, moving on to Miami’s defense. It does not have the same potential as the offense but is still serviceable for a playoff run with their free agent acquisitions and re-signings.
First, resigning All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard was vital for this defense to be productive next year as Howard is its leader and heart. Plus, resigning EDGE Emanuel Ogbah was just as important as he will be Miami’s main pash rusher next year.
The main offseason free agent acquisition was bringing in veteran EDGE Pro-Bowler Melvin Ingram to bolster Miami’s pass rush. Seeing as Miami finished the 2021/22 Season with the 11th best defense, according to PFF, and they were the team that blitzed the most, adding Ingrahm was a no-brainer.
He won’t revolutionize the Fins’ defense, but he also won’t hurt it. They should come in around the same place they finished the year next season. (Defense Ranking prediction: 10th-15th)
With Miami’s offence (and success) hinging on the transformation of Tua as a capable starting quarterback, I have to believe he will rise to the occasion and bring Miami back to the playoffs. They should finish 2nd in the AFC East and obtain one of the three Wild Card places for their first postseason berth in six years.
If you want to see the PFF stats, I’ve linked them down below:
Images Source:
Other Sources: (Pro Football Focus/PFF) (NFL Week 17 Defense Rankings | NFL News, Rankings and Statistics | PFF)
