What Needs To Happen For Miami To Make The Playoffs?

[SF Dolphin Fan]

You just know it's the offseason when every fan base thinks their team has a chance at the playoffs. That's what makes football fun. The NFL is so fluid with injuries changing dramatically how teams can do.

There's also such a small difference between 10-6 and 6-10, essentially maybe 8-10 plays. For that reason, fans have a right to be optimistic.

We've all seen Miami predicted to finish 3-13 or picking in the top five. That's possible as well. Really for every team. From my perspective, I see a team that looks about average across the board. Though Miami does have some intriguing young talent that can sway the season and, above all, a healthy Ryan Tannehill.

So what would it take for the Dolphins to make the playoffs? Thoughts?

 

[Miamifinz]

Young players emerging. Tannehill as is is good enough to lead Miami to the playoffs with the right pieces.

Can Xavier Howard make the jump to a shutdown corner? If that happens and Minkah is as good as advertised we could have a no fly zone. We’re stuck with Kiko but have Raekwon coming off injury for his first real year of football, and two speedy backers in Baker and Anthony. Linebackers were atrocious last year, need these players to step up and grab starting spots.

Hard to call Devante young at this point but he needs to emerge as a dependable number one receiver with Landry gone.

Dolphins haven’t had a good tight end since Charles Clay. We spent two draft picks on Gesicki and Smythe. Gesicki needs to be our seam threat, Durham needs to help our o line Create holes for the law firm of Drake Gore and Ballage.

If it’s another poor draft we’re not going anywhere

 

[TannDaMan17]

Tannehill's good health. We finally have a nice schedule, last year was a joke.

 

[fansinceGWilson]

You just know it's the offseason when every fan base thinks their team has a chance at the playoffs. That's what makes football fun. The NFL is so fluid with injuries changing dramatically how teams can do.

There's also such a small difference between 10-6 and 6-10, essentially maybe 8-10 plays. For that reason, fans have a right to be optimistic.

We've all seen Miami predicted to finish 3-13 or picking in the top five. That's possible as well. Really for every team. From my perspective, I see a team that looks about average across the board. Though Miami does have some intriguing young talent that can sway the season and, above all, a healthy Ryan Tannehill.

So what would it take for the Dolphins to make the playoffs? Thoughts?

First, compliments on limiting the 'if' to playoffs. Not unreasonable if most things go right. But, first, I'm struggling with "young players." Is that 2nd year guys, guys under 30? I'm going with 1st contract. Tunsil and Davis, Gesicki, Wilson, Grant, OK, I'll not name them all. I said in another post, not all the young guys have to play to potential, but half of them do. And I'll stretch your definition to include Gase/Burke. If those two can reduce penalties and missed assignments, this can be a good team. The talent is there - it just needs to be put n a position to maximize the talent.

 

[AdamD13]

A combination of things.

First and foremost a decline in play by the Patriots which most likely means Brady getting injured.

Secondly, Miami has to play far above expectations across the board while remaining injury free.

Third, Tannehill has to play far better than he has shown capable of playing at this point.

Fourth, Miami getting lucky breaks such as the ball bouncing our way, calls going our way, playing teams when key players are injured, etc...

 

[The Ghost]

A little of everything would be the right answer.

Everything isn't going to go right.

Ryan Tannehill just needs to be his best. Not the best ever.

We need to stay relatively healthy, we need to catch a break or two, 1st round picks need to emerge.

The Patriots are not standing in Miami's way.

 

[TannDaMan17]

A little of everything would be the right answer.

Everything isn't going to go right.

Ryan Tannehill just needs to be his best. Not the best ever.

We need to stay relatively healthy, we need to catch a break or two, 1st round picks need to emerge.

The Patriots are not standing in Miami's way.

Agreed, Bellicheat destroyed all of their momentum by benching Butler. Hope he had fun. Unfortunately he's still got Brady to bail him out for a lil while longer.

 

[tay0365]

I voted a big year from Tannehill, but I , think it is going to happen as long , he's healthy. In my opinion, Miami needs one thing, and one thing only....Miami needs to get through the season with no serious injuries all season.

 

[Namor]

Just win more games than the rest of the AFC East...

 

[superphin]

Young players emerging, if we can get solid to good contributions from our youngster's ala the saints last year than we should see the reflection n our record. Especially if our young defenders play well.

 

[Superself]

The team will not go anywhere without Tannehill having an injury free and productive year.

 

[VBCheeseGrater]

I was really tempted to say "Big year from Tannehill" but if the young players keep emerging then he can have an average Tamnehill year and make the playoffs.

But if Tannehill has a big year but the rest of team (alot of young players) does not come along? I think it would tough in that case, Tannehill is good but he's not carrying a bad team on a playoff run.

 

[NBP81]

Run the ball and stop the run... But mostly stop the run, which involves alot of young guys spetting up... All of their DTs, McMillan and Baker NEED to play solid football in order for the Fins to win more games than they lose.

If this team cannot show that they can stop the run, Wake, Harris, Quinn and Fitz to an extent, wont even make an impact in actual games.

 

[MercMan]

I think with the team we are fielding this year the only limiting factor will be the health of the starters in general. I think we have the talent and the coaching to go far this year. The healthier we stay the more games we'll win. Seems simple but there you have it.

 

[DolfanISS]

The fans need too always be positive especially on finheaven where there should be no meltdowns or "I told you so" moments all season.