The Dolphins are trying to not become the third team in NFL history to go 0-16 in a season. Despite what happened in Week 8 against the Steelers on Monday night, a 27-14 loss after leading 14-0, Miami will have have nine more games to avoid the same fate as Detroit in 2008 and Cleveland just two years ago in 2017.
The worst the Dolphins have ever finished is 1-15, a dozen years ago in 2007. They took being winless down to the wire — their only victory came in Week 15 at home against a 5-11 Ravens team.
In 2019, Miami is fortunate to face plenty more bad teams in November and December to have multiple shots at wins that will keep them away from the joining the dubious distinction of all defeat.
Taking out road matchups with the Colts and Patriots and a home date with the Eagles (all automatic Ls, we assume), let's rank the Dolphins' six remaining winnable games in order of them most likely winning them.
NFL POWER RANKINGS
49ers, Packers inch up; Seahawks, Eagles fly higher; Bears, Bills slide
6. Week 12 at Cleveland Browns
The Browns are 2-5, but then you examine to whom they've lost: The 49ers, Seahawks, Rams, Patriots and Titans. That's four very strong opponents plus a hot-and-cold .500 team. Cleveland's defense is back at near full strength and there were signs of the team starting to look good overall in defeat at New England. Talent-wise, Miami is toast here.
5. Week 15 at New York Giants
The Giants have had some good offensive moments with Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley to think they could do whatever they wanted at home against the Dolphins' collective defensive weaknesses. The Giants' defense isn't very good, but James Bettcher can dial up effective pressure on Ryan Fitzpatrick.
4. Week 14 at New York Jets
The Jets somehow beat the Cowboys three weeks ago at home with Sam Darnold, and their offense can be a lot better than it looks. Their defense also is built to prey on non-explosive offenses with limited wide receiver corps. The second of two Adam Gase revenge games will be much harder to take than the first.
3. Week 11 vs. Buffalo Bills
The Dolphins went into Buffalo in Week 7 and were very competitive for three quarters in the first of two Fitzpatrick revenge games. Fitzpatrick gives them a fighting chance because he's fearless in pushing the ball downfield and the Bills also have proved they can be leaky in run defense. You can sometimes throw out records in division rivalry games, and this is one the Bills could easily cough up for the Dolphins to steal late.
2. Week 10 vs. New York Jets
The Dolphins need to turn around after visiting the Steelers and host the reeling Jets on a short week. But last place in the AFC East is on the line and coach Brian Flores can work to give his team that motivation and personally want to get the better of his predecessor Gase, much like his mentor Bill Belichick easily did in Week 7.
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1. Week 16 vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The "Tank for Tua" or "Bury for Burrow" sweepstakes likely come down to this game as the Bengals are also winless at 0-8 and have a tougher overall schedule otherwise, save for getting the Jets at home. The game is in Miami on Dec. 22 right before Christmas, so maybe Santa will be nice to Flores, who could use something other than lumps of coal going into what we presume will be a Year 2 in 2020.
This also will set up as a Mark Walton revenge game for the former Bengals running back going against the worst run defense in the NFL. It's the loser-take-all matchup the NFL doesn't know it needs.
