Miami Dolphins: 3 Biggest Statements Still Ahead

There’s a good chance the Miami Dolphins have to win out in order to make the playoffs. To do so, they have to go through some pretty tough competition, making three big statements after a 1-7 start.

First, There’s the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football:

While the Saints are struggling as of late thanks to injuries and covid protocol. They’re so thin at quarterback that the team had to sign journeyman QB Blake Bortles, and will be down 24 players due to covid. With that being said, the Saints themselves made a pretty interesting statement with their last win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Bucs are tearing apart the NFC right now and are early favorites for a repeat. While the QB situation is dicey, it was the defense that kept New Orleans chugging along. The Dolphins and their offense need to show they can hang with tough defenses.

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Then, The Tennessee Titans:

This is the biggest statement game not for Brian Flores, but the Miami Dolphins’ new regime. Miami needs to go out against their old quarterback, Ryan Tannehill, and put the emphasis they’re not the same Miami team since moving on. Tannehill had mixed results in Miami but has consistently been in the playoffs since leaving.

Closing the book on the middle-of-the-road mediocrity that was the Adam Gase era. Beating a consistent playoff team, led by your old quarterback is closure for the years of getting fans’ hopes up. The Titans will be without Derrick Henry but pulling out a win late in the season against a contender is a big enough statement when everyone keeps spewing “who have they beat?” as if this wasn’t professional sports.

Finally, The New England Patriots

This is no cakewalk for the Miami Dolphins. The New England Patriots aren’t going to roll into Miami having nothing left to play for. Depending on how the rest of the season shakes out, they could be bounced from the playoffs. The AFC division and wildcard is too tight of a race to take their foot off the gas.

Now, this is the statement game for Brian Flores. Yes, they already beat the Patriots earlier in the season, but that was when New England was struggling. They got it together and went on an impressive win streak. Not only does Flores need to go out and show he can sweep the Pats, but Miami also needs to finish the season strong.

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Last season they were blown out by the Buffalo Bills in an embarrassing final game of the season. This year they need to win out to have a shot at the playoffs. If not they have to prove they’re not rolling over to the rest of the division.

The Miami Dolphins have had one heck of a run to finish the season but they’ll need a little more gas in the tank. These next three weeks will be a clear picture of not only the rest of the year but their offseason focus as well. Who will step up in clutch moments?