National Media Down on Dolphins

Published in Media and Entertainment on Thursday, August 14th 2025 at 9:47 GMT by Sports Illustrated
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The Miami Dolphins are heading into somewhat of a crossroads season after missing the playoffs in 2024, but a couple of national media outlets are predicting do

National Media Pessimism Looms Over Miami Dolphins' Prospects

In the ever-evolving landscape of NFL analysis, the Miami Dolphins find themselves under a cloud of skepticism from national media outlets as the new season approaches. Despite flashes of potential in recent years, including a playoff appearance and the dynamic play of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, pundits across the board are expressing doubts about the team's ability to contend at the highest level. This wave of negativity stems from a combination of factors, including injury concerns, defensive inconsistencies, and the brutal competition within the AFC East. As training camps heat up and preseason narratives take shape, it's clear that the Dolphins are not being viewed as serious Super Bowl threats by many experts, who instead see them as a fringe playoff team at best.

One of the primary sources of this downbeat outlook is the team's recent history of late-season collapses. Analysts point to the Dolphins' inability to maintain momentum down the stretch in previous campaigns, often citing cold-weather games and physical wear-and-tear as culprits. For instance, prominent voices in the media have highlighted how Miami's high-octane offense, while explosive in ideal conditions, tends to falter when faced with adverse weather or elite defenses. This narrative has been amplified by offseason discussions on shows like ESPN's "Get Up" and NFL Network's "Good Morning Football," where hosts have debated whether the Dolphins' speed-based attack is sustainable over a full 17-game slate. Critics argue that without significant improvements in trench warfare—particularly along the offensive line—the team risks another disappointing finish.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa remains a focal point of the criticism. While his accuracy and quick release have earned praise, questions about his durability and arm strength persist. National writers have been vocal about Tagovailoa's concussion history, suggesting that the Dolphins' front office might need to consider long-term contingencies. In a recent power ranking from CBS Sports, Miami was slotted outside the top 10, with the accompanying analysis noting that Tagovailoa's ceiling might not be high enough to elevate the team past juggernauts like the Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills. This sentiment echoes broader media takes, where Tagovailoa is often compared unfavorably to peers like Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes, who possess the prototypical traits for championship-level play. Even with weapons like Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle at his disposal, skeptics wonder if the passing game can evolve beyond its current gadget-heavy approach.

Defensively, the Dolphins' outlook draws even sharper rebukes. The departure of key players in free agency and the ongoing search for a reliable pass rush have left many analysts unimpressed. Pro Football Focus, in their preseason evaluations, rated Miami's defense as middling, emphasizing vulnerabilities in the secondary and a lack of depth at linebacker. Media personalities have drawn parallels to last season's struggles, where the unit allowed big plays in crucial moments, contributing to losses against top-tier opponents. There's a consensus that new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, brought in to instill toughness, faces an uphill battle in transforming a group that has been inconsistent against the run and prone to coverage breakdowns. Without a dominant edge rusher or a shutdown corner, the Dolphins' defense is seen as a liability in a conference loaded with offensive talent.

The AFC East division itself amplifies the media's pessimism. With the Bills boasting a proven quarterback in Josh Allen and a stout defense, the Jets potentially revitalized by a healthy Aaron Rodgers, and even the Patriots showing signs of rebuild under new leadership, Miami is often pegged as the third wheel. National previews frequently project the Dolphins to finish with around 9-10 wins, good enough for a wild-card spot but not division supremacy. This is reflected in betting odds, where Miami's over/under win total hovers in the single digits, signaling tempered expectations. Writers from The Athletic and Bleacher Report have penned pieces questioning head coach Mike McDaniel's play-calling creativity in high-stakes scenarios, suggesting that his innovative schemes might be too reliant on speed and less adaptable to grind-it-out games.

Yet, amidst the gloom, there are glimmers of optimism that the media occasionally acknowledges, though often as caveats rather than endorsements. The addition of veterans like Odell Beckham Jr. to the receiving corps and the emergence of young talents on both sides of the ball provide some counterarguments. Proponents argue that if Tagovailoa stays healthy and the defense gels under Weaver, Miami could surprise. However, these positive takes are outnumbered by the prevailing doubt, with many experts predicting another early playoff exit—if they make it at all. This media narrative isn't just about on-field performance; it touches on broader themes like team culture and front-office decisions. The Dolphins' aggressive spending in recent offseasons has raised eyebrows, with some analysts labeling it as a "boom-or-bust" strategy that could backfire if injuries strike again.

Looking deeper, this pessimism might be rooted in the Dolphins' franchise history of mediocrity since the Dan Marino era. National media often frames Miami as a team with talent but lacking the intangibles—leadership, resilience, and clutch performance—that define perennial contenders. Podcasts like "The Ringer NFL Show" have dedicated segments to dissecting why the Dolphins consistently underperform expectations, attributing it to everything from coaching mismatches to player motivation in a sunny, distraction-filled market. There's a sense that until Miami proves it can win in December and January, the skepticism will persist.

In response, Dolphins fans and local media have pushed back, accusing national outlets of bias toward more established franchises. They point to underlying metrics, such as the team's point differential in wins last season, as evidence of untapped potential. Nevertheless, the overarching national sentiment remains downbeat, setting the stage for a prove-it year in South Florida. As the season kicks off, the Dolphins will need to silence the doubters with on-field results, turning media narratives from cautionary tales into stories of redemption. Whether they can rise above the criticism or succumb to it will define their campaign, but for now, the prevailing winds from the national press are blowing cold.

This extensive scrutiny underscores a larger truth in the NFL: perception can shape reality. If the Dolphins internalize the negativity, it could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Conversely, using it as motivation might propel them forward. Time will tell, but the media's current stance is unmistakably one of tempered expectations at best, outright dismissal at worst. (Word count: 928)

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National Media Down on Dolphins

National Media Pessimism Looms Over Miami Dolphins' Prospects