Cote: Dolphins rout Jets, win 4th in row. It’s OK to talk playoffs now | Opinion
In sports as in life the highs we enjoy are often relative to the lows we have endured, right?
So the Miami Dolphins’ 6-7 record after Sunday’s fourth win in a row is a thing worthy of marvel mostly in the context of how ugly this season’s nadir was at 1-6, as the flames from the dumpster fire grew. Not saying a climb to almost .500 is worth celebrating, but at least for those fans not obsessed with the team’s diminishing draft position, it is worth appreciating contrasted with what was.
As you were getting ready for Halloween the Dolphins were an NFL laughingstock. Fins were about to “part ways” with longtime general manager Chris Grier, “part ways” politely generous for “fire.” Mike McDaniel was leading all the next-coach-fired betting odds. The defense stunk, the presnap penalties were an epidemic, and the booing and animus against quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was simmering to a loud boil.
Now, after Miami’s 34-10 win Sunday at the New York Jets, you are officially allowed to wonder aloud about wild-card playoff chances and be seen only as way optimistic rather than as a raving lunatic.
How did this turanround happen? I loved defender Zach Sieler postgame Sunday calling it “delusional confidence” — believing in yourselves when nobody on the outside does.
At 1-6, “The big thing was delusional confidence. We know what we’re capable of. We got a lot of ball left. But we have no leeway to play with.”
Said McDaniel on the turnaround: “There is a competitive advantage when a team has to look inward. When it lacks [outside] belief and has self-sustained belief. This team made the hard choice to not only believe in themselves, but to put in the work. There is a special connection within the locker room. They were the only people that really believed in themselves.”
Tagovailoa: “We’re finding that flow. Not giving up. Continuing to come into the building with a great attitude, a great mind-set.”
And, by the way, how about this past week for Miami sports! Inter Miami wins the MLS Cup championship. Miami Hurricanes get into the College Football Playoff. Now the Dolphins keep alive an actual legit winning streak.
Disclaimer on the latter: It was the Jets. OK, fine. They’re sad. We all agree.
Still, across four wins in a row and five of six we have seen a major improvement by the defense, and by an offensive line getting healthier and better. The De’Von Achane-led ground game is cooking, Tagovailoa has cut down on his interceptions as a byproduct, and we are seeing a unified, fired-up team enjoying the result of having not quit at 1-6.
On Sunday the early 21-0 lead marked the Fins’ first three-TD first quarter since 2016. Jaylen Waddle’s 3-yard scoring pass from Tagovailoa, Achane’s 14-yard TD run and Jaylen Wright’s 2-yard ground score did it. Ollie Gordon II cashed a 7-yard TD run in the fourth.
Most impressive Miami’s defense was monstrously good, doing its part toward a shutout, with a 78-yard punt return producing the Jets’ only score prior to a field goal. (Special-teams play, alas, has not kept pace with Miami’s upturn on offense and D. Tyrel Dodson, Rasul Douglas and Ethan Bonner had interceptions. Fins had six sacks.
Miami rushed for 241 yards Sunday. The defense allowed the Jets only 207, total. Those are impressive numbers no matter the competition. (The chef’s-kiss ending: Tagovailoa’s backup Zach Wilson playing the final few minutes vs. his former team.)
McDaniel called defense and a running a running game “the formula to win games in December.”
So now what? At 6-7 with four games left. A chance, at least:
At Steelers, 7-6 after winning Sunday. Versus Bengals, 4-9 but with Joe Burrow back and giving Buffalo a handful Sunday. Versus Buccaneers, 7-6 after losing to Saints Sunday. And at Patriots, 11-2 — but maybe able to rest their starters in the regular-season finale?
The wild card is now doable — two games out with four to go — but still a long shot, no doubt. But compared to the embarrassing depths of September and October, the Dolphins have lifted this season from an abyss to something a bit interesting, at least.
In sports as in life, sometimes you just appreciate what you have, relatively speaking.
This story was originally published December 7, 2025 at 4:09 PM.
