Miami Dolphins low national expectations have reached laughable levels
USA TODAY predicts the Miami Dolphins to finish 5-12.
Sports Illustrated predicts the Miami Dolphins to finish 6-11.
The Dolphins are heavily favored to miss the playoffs in 2025.
At the Hard Rock Bet app, Miami is +220 to make the playoffs.
That means wager only $100 to win $220 if they're one of seven AFC teams to qualify.
Consider Miami made the postseason in each of Mike McDaniel's first two seasons.
Miami Dolphins schedule: Experts predict terrible season
Miami's one poor joint practice with the Detroit Lions became national news.
The Dolphins have been scrutinized and belittled on platforms like ESPN, Fox Sports and NFL Network.
"None of it seems great coming out of Miami right now,' ESPN's Peter Schrager said.
"Looks like Gucci, but closer inspection it's suss,' Fox's Colin Cowherd crowed of the Dolphins.
'When all crap hits the fan who is going to take hold of this team and lead us?' NFL Network's Manti Te'o said of the Dolphins. 'For the Miami Dolphins, who is that? Nobody knows.'
A BETTER DAY TOMORROW: Dolphins encouraged by bounce-back practice with Lions, especially on offense
Miami Dolphins fact & fiction
Let's separate some fact from fiction:
Fact: The Dolphins may have a problem at cornerback.
Fiction: The Dolphins offensive line is on track to be another disaster in 2025.
Fact: The Dolphins had some players who didn't fully buy in last season.
Fact: Jalen Ramsey, Odell Beckham and Jevon Holland are gone.
Fiction: Mike McDaniel does not have the respect of current players.
Fact: Miami's chemistry is better in 2025.
Fact: Miami will miss the leadership of Terron Armstead and Calais Campbell.
Fiction: Tua Tagovailoa and Zach Sieler, not loud by nature, can't be very good leaders.
Fact: Minkah Fitzpatrick has a better resume than Holland.
Fact: Miami was fourth in the NFL in total defense last year and retained coordinator Anthony Weaver.
Fact: Miami should be better at guard and safety.
Fact: Miami must find the right replacement for Jonnu Smith's reps.
Miami Dolphins concerns are real
Look, I get it.
From the outside, it appears Tyreek Hill is a constant distraction, Tua Tagovailoa is injury-prone, McDaniel's offense has been solved and teammates are throwing punches at each other in practice.
Yes, there are legitimate concerns.
But it's never quite as good as it seems — see Super Bowl-contending proclamations from owner Stephen Ross at this time a year ago — and never quite as bad as it seems.
The Dolphins have to answer the bell in 2025. And we understand why McDaniel is atop almost every national head coach hot seat list.
They need to stay healthy. They need to beat good teams. They need to win on the road, in the cold.
About the only thing they don't have to beat in 2025? High expectations.
Almost nothing is expected of this team - nationally. And yet there is plenty enough talent to be revelant this season.
Miami Dolphins roster: Still strong
And so a roster that still boats Tua Tagovailoa, De'Von Achane, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, Zach Sieler, Bradley Chubb, Jaelan Phillips, Chop Robinson, Jordyn Brooks and Minkah Fitzpatrick has a very good chance to make a statement.
Five wins? Six wins?
On the surface, it seems improbable.
It's en vogue at the moment to bash the Dolphins. To suggest they're too soft. To say they have no identity. To suggest McDaniel's quirks are a detriment.
We'll see.
But the thought here is the echo chamber has gotten a bit too lazy and loud.
The thought here is it's way too early to call the season off.
And way too early to say the Dolphins have little to no chance to make the NFL's postseason for a third time in McDaniel's fourth season.
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Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins projected to win five, six games by skeptics. | Schad
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