Oakland Raiders: Taking A Closer Look At The AFC Playoff Picture
By Kevin Saito
Miami Dolphins (4-6)
Remaining Schedule: @New England Patriots, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots, @Buffalo Bills, @Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills
The Dolphins season effectively ended when quarterback Ryan Tannehill was lost for the year. They just didn’t know it yet.
They reinforced the notion (or just seemed to be throwing in the towel) when they abruptly traded running back Jay Ajayi to the Eagles – as if Philadelphia needed more help. Ayaji, by the way, despite playing in just seven games for Miami is still the team’s leading rusher by a wide margin.
Next: Team's Struggles Highlight Poor Offseason Priorities
jThe combination of Kenyan Drake (180 yards) and Damien Williams (143 yards) aren’t quite getting it done and Miami is near the bottom of the league in rushing (twenty-ninth), averaging just over 80 yards per game on the ground.
Somehow though, the Dolphins have managed to scrape together a win here and there, they’re most surprising win of the year coming over the Atlanta Falcons.
However, the Dolphins are riding a four game losing streak, being outscored 142-65 over that slide.
Their remaining schedule, not to mention an offense that’s entirely toothless, doesn’t do them any favors. They face just four teams in their last six games – with two games each against the Patriots and the Bills.
Despite Matt Moore being very effective in relief of Jay Cutler last week, HC Adam Gase is apparently going to stick with Cutler, if he clears the league’s concussion protocol in time. It’s an inexplicable move given Cutler’s overall ineffectiveness this year.
Miami is scoring just 16 points a game and Cutler, 4-5 as the starter, is averaging just 178 yards through the air this season, tossing 13 touchdowns against nine interceptions.
But then, looking ahead at the schedule, Miami’s season is just about over. They may be able to scrape out a couple more wins – it’d be nice if one of those wins came against Kansas City – but, the Dolphins look to be positioning themselves more for the Draft than anything else at this point.
Predicted Finish: 6-10