5 NFL Teams who could be Surprise Playoff Contenders
By Andrew Garda
Miami Dolphins
Why it could happen: While Miami’s defense was ranked 21st overall, the pass defense was stingy, allowing just 17 touchdowns through the air—the third fewest in the NFL.
With that, the Dolphins have a sound foundation from which to build off of in a conference with very few standout teams. While it will be awfully tough to wrest control of the division from the New England Patriots, there are certainly no easy locks in terms of the Wild Card spots, both of which are there for the taking.
If the defense can shut down some of the top guns this team will face—guys like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning—in addition to the shakier quarterbacks they will see (we’re looking at you Geno Smith and EJ Manuel), it should put them in position to make the playoffs, something many are overlooking.
Why it might not: Do you trust Ryan Tannehill? Because the success of this offense—and this team—hinges on him improving quite a bit this season.
While some of his 2013 struggles can be blamed on the tragicomedy of an offensive line the team fielded, some of it was just plain Tannehill. He needs to get rid of the ball quicker and make far better decisions when he does.
The offensive line has issues again, with center Mike Pouncey injured and potentially going on the PUP, as The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson recently reported and the backfield is a mess, so things won’t be easy for Tannehill.
If he can’t pull it together, the team won’t make the playoffs.