2021 Miami Dolphins: Are They Good Enough for the Playoffs

The Dolphins made a good run at the playoffs in 2020 finishing 10-6 which was their first winning season since 2016. They let quarterback Ryan Fitzgerald go and will turn to 2nd year guy, Tua Tagovailoa as their starter. They greatly improved their wide receiver group in an effort to give him some weapons to work with. They can also rely on a defense that led the league with 29 takeaways a year ago.

Tagovailoa went 6-3 as a starter last year and threw for 1814 yards with 11 touchdowns so it’s not as if he can’t play. Miami didn’t do much with the running backs and they don’t have a go-to guy. The receiver group is reliable and includes DeVante Parker (63 catches for 793 yards) and added Will Fuller V through free agency. They also drafted Jaylen Waddle from Alabama and he was a game breaker in college. The offensive line is young and needs improvement in pass protection and run blocking.

Up front on defense, they signed Adam Butler and drafted Miami Hurricanes star Jaelan Phillips to greatly upgrade that position. The linebackers are average with Jerome Baker the best. He has 111 tackles in 2020. The secondary is the best in the division led by All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard who had 10 interceptions a year ago. Strong safety Eric Rowe (91 tackles) is steady and he has never missed a start in his career.

Schedule:

Must Wins: Indianapolis, Atlanta, Houston, Carolina, NY Giants, NY Jets, at Jacksonville at NY Jets

Toss-Up Games: Buffalo, Baltimore, New England, at Las Vegas, at New Orleans

Probable Losses: at New England, at Tampa Bay, at Buffalo, at Tennessee

Summary in Two Sentences: The Dolphins appear to be lacking enough of a run game that can be relied on. They are close to being a playoff team but may not win as many games as they did in 2020.