MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The final five weeks of the Miami Dolphins‘ season have scrambled the entire offseason outlook.
Had the Dolphins simply beaten the Tennessee Titans and then knocked off the T.J. Watt-less Pittsburgh Steelers, the Dolphins could claim that their plan is on track, no matter what happened in the Divisional Round.
They would have won 13 games (including the postseason) for the first time since 1990 and given an entire generation of fans their first memory of a playoff victory.
Instead, they’re staggering into the playoffs as the 6 seed. They travel to the frozen home of the defending champions on a two-game losing streak, with fresh questions about their quarterback and new ones about their head coach.
Should Miami Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel Be on the Hot Seat With a Loss?
The above question would have been ludicrous a month ago. Even now — despite the idea getting traction in other outlets this week — it’s polarizing, to put it kindly.
Mike McDaniel is the first coach in two decades to get the Dolphins to the playoffs in back-to-back years. He’s also revitalized Tua Tagovailoa’s career and a fan base.
MORE: Are the Miami Dolphins Concerned About Tyreek Hill’s Drops?
But a loss Saturday would mean a second one-and-done, with McDaniel’s vaunted offense disappearing at the worst possible time.
However, our sense is that Tua will be the scapegoat if the Dolphins fall on their faces against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday — and rightfully so.
Tagovailoa threw four interceptions in the season’s final two weeks, and his stats against playoff teams this year are very, very pedestrian.
What would a loss Sunday mean for Tagovailoa’s future — and his future earnings? And might 2024 be a make-a-break season for McDaniel if the Dolphins again go out meekly?
We explore it all in our Wild Card Weekend edition of the Pro Football Network Miami Dolphins Podcast.
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