The Miami Dolphins faced a tough setback in Week 15 with their loss to the Houston Texans, yet they haven’t been knocked out of playoff contention just yet. The NFL is nothing if not unpredictable, and the Dolphins’ current standing proves just that. With six wins and only three games remaining, Miami still has a glimmer of hope for a postseason berth, though their path forward is anything but straightforward.
On Sunday, the Dolphins saw several opportunities slip through their fingers, with the most crucial chance coming during the final drive, trailing by just eight points. Unfortunately, Tua Tagovailoa’s third interception sealed their fate. While the Dolphins need to secure victories in all remaining games, they’re also relying on a set of favorable outcomes from around the league—a scenario that would require a small miracle.
Following the defeat to the Texans, the Dolphins’ playoff probability plummeted. Their odds of reaching the postseason now hover around a mere 5%, according to the New York Times Playoff Predictor. In contrast, the Broncos benefited from this shake-up, jumping to a 74% chance of making the cut, even sustaining a viable 27% chance if they fall to the Colts.
This 2024 season has been a roller coaster for Miami and its faithful fans. Once pegged as a preseason frontrunner to contend for the AFC East title, the Dolphins now face uncertainty. There’s an elephant in the room—will owner Stephen Ross consider significant changes once the season wraps up?
Offensive struggles have been a recurring theme for Miami, particularly with an offensive line that struggled to establish a ground game against the Texans. With a meager output of just over 50 rushing yards, the ground game troubles are a glaring issue. It’s clear the Dolphins aren’t currently equipped for a playoff push if this pattern continues.
Week 16 looms large, with the Dolphins hosting the San Francisco 49ers at Hard Rock Stadium. It’s a do-or-die situation, not just for them to win but also to hope other results fall in their favor.
Unfortunately, the Dolphins’ loss could pave the way for the Texans and Steelers to book their postseason spots this weekend. As they return to Miami with another disappointing result against a playoff-level team, the question remains: can the Dolphins pull off the improbable and breathe life back into their fading playoff aspirations?