The Miami Dolphins were hoping to make the playoffs for a third straight season, but heading into Week 18, they had the faintest of hopes of doing so.
They ended up losing to the struggling New York Jets as Aaron Rodgers had a flashback performance, and as a result, Miami will be watching the postseason from the outside.
The Dolphins have one of the NFL’s most talented offenses, and one of their stars, running back De’Von Achane, recently explained why he believes they fell short.
“Some games we weren’t clicking on all cylinders. Our QB1 got hurt, he missed a couple games, so that factored into a lot. And the games where I feel like we shoulda won, we didn’t,” Achane said, via FinsXtra.
? De'Von Achane on the Dolphins finishing with a sub .500 record: "Some game we weren't clicking on all cylinders. [Tua] got hurt, he missed a couple games so that factored into a lot." (@MiamiDolphins) #GoFins pic.twitter.com/dKOm7kh9UN
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) January 6, 2025
Starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered the third diagnosed concussion of the NFL career in Week 2 against the Buffalo Bills and missed four games as a result, and without him, Miami’s offense struggled mightily.
After he returned in Week 8, the offense started to get back on track, but by then they already had a 2-4 record and would lose two more games before winning six of their next eight.
Achane had a dazzling rookie season in 2023 that was cut short by a knee injury, and this season, he ran for 907 yards and six touchdowns while adding 78 receptions for 592 yards and six touchdowns.
On the other hand, wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle had down years statistically.
Hill failed to reach the 1,000-yard mark just one year after he was on pace to get to the 2,000-yard mark until he suffered a late-season ankle injury.
He now seems to want out of Miami, which could mean that it will be a while before the Dolphins are able to get back to the playoffs.
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