Dolphins loss to Ravens carries long-term implications

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel.

The Miami Dolphins’ devastating loss in Week 17 to the Baltimore Ravens could have far-reaching repercussions for the franchise, which hasn’t won its division since 2008 or a top-two seed since 1992.

A win would have given the Dolphins a chance for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, which often is instrumental for Super Bowl hopes.

Not only did the Dolphins fail to stay in the conversation for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, but they lost key players in cornerback Xavien Howard (foot) and outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, who suffered a season-ending torn ACL in his right knee.

Chubb, who led the Dolphins with 11 sacks this season and leads the league with six forced fumbles, played opposite fellow elite pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips for most of the season. Phillips went down with a non-contact football injury against the New York Jets in a Week 12 Miami road victory and won’t play again until training camp.

Howard, meanwhile, will be sidelined for Miami’s game at home against Buffalo on Sunday, with the winner earning the AFC East title, the No. 2 seed and a home game in the first round of the playoffs.

No one is to blame for the mounting number of players on the IR although Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel wants to take the brunt of it.

“I mean, in hindsight, I would absolutely not have wanted him (Chubb) out there if I would’ve known that he was going to get hurt,” McDaniel said, per ESPN’s Marcel Louis-Jacques. “The players wanted to go back in and play and finish the right way heading into [the game against Buffalo]. And I have the ability to tell them no on everything in this situation.”

The situation doesn’t get any easier. Even though the Dolphins still have one of their best defenders in Andrew Van Ginkel, it will be increasingly difficult for this team to pressure the quarterback without Chubb.

In compiling a 9-2 record against Miami, Buffalo QB Josh Allen has passed for 3,004 yards and 31 touchdowns, per StatMuse.

“I’ve played well against them in the past, but it doesn’t mean I’m gonna play well against them this week unless I prepare well and work hard in practice and get on the same page as receivers,” Allen said, per Katherine Fitzgerald of The Buffalo News.

The Dolphins have survived multiple major injuries this season, but this is a team built to make a run at the Super Bowl now. Miami is already $38M over the salary cap for 2024 and will need to beef up a severely depleted offensive line.

Miami can restructure, cut and maneuver as much as it wants, but it is a team that has not extended QB Tua Tagovailoa or defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, who has had a monster year. This roster is the culmination of years’ worth of moves, scouting, practice, hard work and, yes, some luck.

Every team has a limited window to compete at a high level until contracts, injuries, coaching changes and more move a team in a new direction. The Miami window closed a good amount with that loss to Baltimore.

The Dolphins could do themselves a favor and win Sunday. If they don’t, they will have to go on the road in the postseason and will most likely end up going to work on building a new window this offseason.

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