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Eric Rowe says the Miami Dolphins ‘clicked’ too late to make the playoffs

Eric Rowe and Tommy Sweeney Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

After the Miami Dolphins were eliminated from postseason contention on Sunday, Dolphins veteran Eric Rowe expressed disappointment and noted that the team’s recent surge came too late.

Rowe referenced the Dolphins’ 1-7 start that put them in a huge hole and was saddened by the fact that their efforts had come up short.

“It hurts because of the work we put in, even in training camp,” Rowe said. “I know we went through a rough patch and clicked a game or two too late where we had to win nine straight to make the playoffs. [But] we got a lot better being on the same page.”

The Dolphins were blown out 34-3 by the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, with other game results around the NFL causing the Dolphins to once again miss the playoffs.

Entering training camp before the 2021 season, the Dolphins appeared confident that their playoff drought would come to an end after another near-miss in the 2020 season.

However, after defeating the New England Patriots in their 2021 season opener on Sept. 12, the Dolphins didn’t win again until November. That slump required an incredible effort to potentially get back in the playoffs, an effort that ultimately came up short.

During the 2021 campaign, Rowe’s role on the Dolphins has shifted after he was a starter in 29 games over the previous two seasons. This season, he’s only been in the starting lineup four times.

The Dolphins will try to avoid a losing season on Sunday when they host the Patriots to wrap up the regular season. The Patriots are coming off of a 50-10 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.