Part 1 of a pre-Browns game Miami Dolphins On SI-Mailbag:

From Marty:

I’m looking for a contest that got the Dolphins into the playoffs.

Bonjour Marty, of course we will translate this and ask the question to provide a quick overview of how the Dolphins can make the playoffs. It’s very simple. A: The Dolphins need to win their last two games. B, two of the following three MUST happen: The Chargers lose their last two games, the Broncos have lost their last two games, the Colts have lost one of their last two games. If two of the three B scenarios occur along with the A, the Dolphins will be the No. 7 seed and likely play in Buffalo. If all three B scenarios occur along with A, the Dolphins will be the No. 6 seed and likely play in Baltimore.

From Mike Jacobs:

If the Dolphins don’t make the playoffs before the game starts, what does a good rest of the season look like? Losing and getting better draft picks, winning and developing certain players? Would love to hear your point of view.

Hey Mike, unless you’re talking about moving from a top 10 to a top 3 pick, I’m never a fan of the idea of ​​losing to get a slightly better draft position. I’ve always believed that you should get a good player at, say, 14th overall, just as much as at 9th or 10th. So the goal should be to try to win the last two games and I would aim to use the young guys to give them game experience like Patrick Paul, Jaylen Wright, Channing Tindall, Mohamed Kamara , Ethan Bonner and other players Das.

From Chris Bustin:

Hello Alain, this week was very hard for me because Mike McDaniel got a game ball. How can Mr. Ross be content with missing the playoffs entirely? Or don’t you have a better backup QB than Skylar Thompson? Or always lose against good opponents? What do you think? Thanks!

Hey Chris, yes, the cue ball was a bit strange. Sure, McDaniel beat his mentor, but Ross gave him a game ball and the Dolphins made a point of posting the video on social media, making it look like Ross was happy with how things stood. Honestly, I’m not sure I was crazy about it. I don’t think he’s happy with how things turned out either, maybe he was just caught up in the moment.

From Thee Dolphins Dum Dum:

The Rams, KC, Cleveland, Jets, Texans, 49ers, Packers and Dolphins all run the West Coast offense. With the exception of KC and the Packers, all of these teams were 15th or lower in the point standings. Only the Packers and 49ers rank above 16th in rushing yards per game. Many of these teams were assumed to be productive offensive players before the season began. Many of these teams also consistently finish in the top 10 in rushing most years. Is there a connection or rule change that has made it more difficult for teams running the West Coast offense to be successful offensively, particularly in the run game?

As far as I know, no rule change would have affected this. I think the connection is as simple as injuries or underperformance. For example, the 49ers and Browns offensive lines were decimated by injuries; The Texans’ offensive line has been poor in the middle all season; The Dolphins had injury issues up front and some issues with their guard play.

From Harrison Hicks:

Bonjour Alain. While you were just a little puppy up there in the frozen tundra of the north, I was literally there for the Dolphins’ first kickoff. Yes, I’m actually that old. My question is, given the obvious loss of talent this year compared to last: Do you really think this team can become a contender again any time soon? I wish you all the best, sir. Thank you.

Hey Harrison, I’m not sure I agree with the lost talent premise. I also need to know your definition of “contender” because I think the team’s foundation is good enough to make the playoffs next season, but I’m not sure it’s a team that can compete with the upper league of the AFC.

From Dinney Wilkinson:

Hello Alain, what is more dangerous for Chris Grier’s job? Do you make the playoffs and get soundly beaten in the first round, or miss with a record of 8-9 or 9-8?

Hey Dinney, I want to start by saying that I don’t think Chris Grier will lose his job, but the answer to your question is: missing the playoffs would be far more damaging and disappointing than not making the playoffs at all.

From Ignacio Vidal:

So if the Fins are already eliminated at the start of the game, do you see them holding any players back?

Hi Ignacio, I don’t think the players who will play despite their injuries could stay in the game if the Dolphins are eliminated from the playoffs. That starts with Terron Armstead and then maybe Jaylen Waddle, maybe even Tyreek Hill, Kendall Lamm.

From Roger Dodger:

We know and see that Lamar Jackson, Patrick Mahomes, Jayden Daniels and Josh Allen are all dual-threat NFL QBs who run and throw the football. Given his injury history, is Tua a dual threat or just a passing threat? Can he ever be a dual threat like Jackson, Daniels or Allen?

Hey Roger, Tua is not a dual threat and never has been, and that has nothing to do with his injury history. In the best case scenario, Tua has enough mobility to move around the pocket and use his scrambling to get a first hit here and there. The four QBs mentioned are gifted runners and are in a different league in that department than Tua – and most other QBs in the league.

From stevepasq13:

The Dolphins could be eliminated as early as Sunday, right? Chargers and Broncos both play on Saturday. When they’re outside, do you sit on Tua, Reek, etc.?

Hi Steve, absolutely. Especially not just Tua Now that he’s dealing with a hip injury, but Tyreek, as you mentioned, Terron Armstead, Jalen Ramsey, Zach Sieler, Calais Campbell. Give the little children a chance.

From Jorge Boyd:

Hello Alain, how good are Cleveland’s defensive backs? Is there a weakness in this defense?

Cornerback Denzel Ward is easily the Browns’ best defensive back, but no one on this team is having a good year in the secondary and it doesn’t help that there isn’t really a pass rush outside of Myles Garrett. There are vulnerabilities all over the Cleveland defense right now, as you would expect from a team with 3-12 players.

From Chris Shields:

Based on Sunday’s game: Over/Under 10 runs for RBs not named De’Von Achane? Offseason question: I think we need to replace both starting safeties for next year. What are the chances that we move Ramsey to one of the spots? I think he could be the next Charles or Rod Woodson.

Hey Chris, it’s really hard to answer the RB question because I think the rotation would change if it turned out the Dolphins were out before the game. In this case, I think Jaylen Wright would get more carries than he normally would. As for Ramsey, a move to safety seems inevitable, but I think that might be a year or two down the road.

From Mark Fischler:

Observations from Patrick Paul, and do you see Bradley Chubb as a June cut? I wish you all the best in light of your great loss.

Hello Mark, first of all thank you very much. Patrick Paul has shown promise from what I’ve observed so far, although I’m not quite ready to name him the franchise left tackle for the next 10 years just yet. As for Chubb, I’d say the only question is whether he gets cut after June 1st or whether he restructures his contract and maybe even takes a pay cut. I estimate it will be back to 50:50 in 2025.