A Clearer Path Is Presenting Miami With Great Opportunity
Photo Credit: Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports
In the NFL, fortunes can change in the blink of an eye. The Dolphins find themselves in a fortuitous position, despite not taking the field in week 10. The dynamics within the AFC East have shifted dramatically, and Miami is reaping the benefits of a division in disarray.
The Buffalo Bills, once considered the juggernauts of the AFC East, disastrously stumbled against the Denver Broncos, losing a game they were heavily favored to win. The Bills defense, riddled with injuries, struggled to contain Russell Wilson, head coach Sean McDermott is facing heavy criticism for the team’s recent performances, and Josh Allen is now leading the NFL in interceptions, with 11.
The Bills’ defensive vulnerabilities create an opening for the Dolphins, even though the Dolphins have their own defense woes. Miami’s ability to capitalize on their opponent’s weaknesses could prove crucial in the weeks to come
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Meanwhile, the New York Jets continue to play subpar offensive football. Their latest loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, a team in the midst of organizational upheaval, highlights the Jets’ struggle to find answers. The decision to stick with Zach Wilson at quarterback, despite his obvious struggles, adds another layer of uncertainty to the Jets’ season. Wilson currently is the worst passer in the entire league, a fact that bodes well for the Dolphins’ defense when they face New York in two weeks.
The New England Patriots, synonymous with success and stability under Bill Belichick’s tenure, find themselves in an unprecedented situation. A 10-6 loss to the Indianapolis Colts has intensified speculation about the team moving on from their iconic head coach. The Patriots, at 2-8, are grappling with their worst record in recent memory.
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As of now, the AFC East standings paint a fascinating picture:
Miami Dolphins: 6-3
Buffalo Bills: 5-5
New York Jets: 4-5
New England Patriots: 2-8
According to the New York Times’ playoff metric, the Dolphins boast a 94% chance of making the playoffs and an 88% chance of winning the division for the first time since 2008. The improbable dream of a first-round bye and the AFC’s top seed is also on the horizon, with an 11% chance. In stark contrast, no other team in the AFC East has a playoff chance above 20%.
Head coach Mike McDaniels seems to be confident in his team’s performance, and the 6-3 record puts them in a comfortable position.
“From my seat, from where I’m at with this team, I’m very, very happy about our pre-bye week season,” McDaniel said. “And why is that? Because we’ve invested enough to the point that we’ve been able to win six out of nine games. That’s the plus. But in the losses, we got something out of it each time.”
While critics fairly argue that the Dolphins haven’t had wins against teams with positive records, their ability to navigate the regular season and position themselves for a playoff run cannot be overlooked. Coming out of the buy they have a lot of themselves the opportunity to correct their walls as their roster get healthy. If they can find a way to put together methodical drives as opposed to relying on splash plays and if the defense can continue to improve they will have set the stage for a potentially competitive postseason appearance.
“Us getting back to work, us being fresh, and us remembering the first quarter or the first half of the process,” McDaniel stressed. “Being attached to that and doing right by all that work each and every day, starting today, which is what I prioritized.”
The struggles of divisional rivals have opened an easier pathway to the playoffs. With a division title within reach, the Dolphins are poised to make a significant impact in the NFL landscape. As they navigate the remaining weeks of the regular season, the Dolphins have the opportunity to prove that they are not just pretenders, but potential real contenders in the making.
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