10. Can Joe Philbin Take This Team to the Playoffs?
After he left his duties as offensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers to become head coach of the Dolphins in 2012, Joe Philbin has yet to post a winning record. Instead, his record has been mired in mediocrity with 8-8 finishes each of the last two seasons. For Miami to make the playoffs, that will obviously need to change. Late season collapses in 2013 and 2014 prevented the Fins from making the playoffs. In 2013, Miami was outscored 39-7 in losses against the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets (combined final records of 14-18) to end the season. The following year, Miami lost three of their final four games, including a 1-2 mark at home, to finish .500 and out of the playoffs.
In 2015, the Dolphins play at SunLife Stadium just three times until a November 22nd meeting with the Dallas Cowboys. Philbin will need to navigate through a tough schedule in which Miami is on the road six times during the first nine games, then plays four of its final five home contests against playoff teams from last season: the Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Colts, and Patriots.
Recently, Dolphins owner Steven Ross gave Philbin a vote of confidence with a one-year extension through 2016. The combination of Miami’s offseason moves, a four-game suspension handed down by the NFL to Patriots quarterback Tom Brady for Deflategate, and the lack of quality signal callers for the Bills and Jets puts Philbin in a prime position to reward that faith with a division title.
