The reality is that the reasons to smile that the fans of the Miami Dolphins In the current NFL campaign there have been very few. From the team’s disappointing overall performance to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s health concerns, coach Mike McDaniel’s team has had a tough few months in 2024.
However, the picture finally seems to be clearing up a bit for the boys from South Florida.
It may not look that way when you watch this Thursday’s game against the Green Bay Packers, with complex weather conditions promising temperatures as cold as 24 degrees.
If the Dolphins manage to get a positive result in Wisconsin, their chances of advancing to the playoffs will obviously increase considerably, but even if Miami cannot maintain its current good streak at the Packers’ home, things would still be far from a doom. in his season.
The currency of Tagovailoa and company will come to that duel with a balance of 5-6 and with a string of three wins.
Based on the winning percentage of their next rivals, Miami would have the sixth “easiest” schedule in the remainder of the NFL contest. However, all opponents in the Dolphins’ 17-game schedule have a current winning percentage of .429, worst in the league.
Can McDaniel get his team into the postseason with a 10-7 or 9-8 record?
Everything seems to indicate that it will be very complex with the last one.
Recent history
In the most recent three seasons, teams that have finished 9-8 reached the playoffs four times and missed the playoffs nine times, which would be equivalent to 31%.
Of course, it’s also good to remember that two years ago the Dolphins reached the next phase with that same record, also under McDaniel.
But three harvests ago, with Brian Flores at the helm, Miami was left out, despite registering that balance.
Meanwhile, in those last three contests, all the teams that closed with 10-7 managed to acquire their ticket to the playoffs.
According to The Athletic’s meter, the Dolphins currently have a 38% chance of reaching the postseason.
It’s not the most encouraging number, but the simple fact that a team with so many problems this season still has a modest margin of options to reach the promised land should be reason for loyal Dolphins fans to pat themselves on the back. on the back and, why not?, show the occasional smile.
