In the National Football League, teams with a 2-6 record typically believe their season is a lost cause. The 2024 Miami Dolphins have not let this pessimistic outlook deter them, winning their last two games in order to restore the franchise’s postseason aspirations.

After suffering defeat in last season’s wild card round, the Dolphins entered the 2024 season with high expectations. Opening the season with the ninth-easiest schedule, Dolphins fans expected multiple winning streaks. The trajectory of the season, however, changed on Sep. 12 when Tagovailoa got tackled with four minutes and 30 seconds left in the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills, suffering another concussion after colliding with Bills safety Damar Hamlin.

Following the concussion, Tagovailoa was the center of discussion in the media. Many fans, players and coaches debated whether Tagovailoa should retire given his recent medical history. Las Vegas Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce urged the Dolphins quarterback to retire during a press conference, advising him to think long-term and take care of his family.

“I watched the play where [Tagovailoa] got tackled. It was scary because I knew he has suffered multiple concussions before. I thought that he should retire as it would have been dangerous for him to keep playing. [Tagovailoa]’s absence definitely affected the Dolphins offense and timing during their losing streaks,” senior Edward Cuevas said.

For six weeks, Tagovailoa was listed on the injury reserve list, forcing the Dolphins to entertain other options at the quarterback position. In Week 3, Skylar Thompson started for the Dolphins against the Seattle Seahawks. Unfortunately, Thompson injured his shoulder during the loss. The organization was forced to search for other options; eventually the Dolphins signed quarterback Tyler Huntley to the roster.

With the absence of Tagovailoa, the Dolphins offense struggled through five games. The offense played 10 consecutive quarters without scoring a touchdown. Furthermore, the offense ranked last in points per game in the NFL, looking starkly worse than the high-flying offense that fans witnessed in 2023.

“The most frustrating game as a Dolphins fan this year was the one against the Seahawks. [Thompson] did not play well and it didn’t really give me hope for the rest of the season. When [Tagovailoa] was absent, the offense definitely struggled the most as Tyreek Hill and Kaylen Waddle barely got any receptions or yards in the pass game,” senior Sebastian Lopez said.

Clearing the league’s concussion protocol, Tagovailoa returned on Oct. 27 for the Dolphins’ showdown against the Arizona Cardinals. Despite falling short, the team played significantly better against the Cardinals, scoring 27 points.

The team then traveled to the west coast to defeat the Los Angeles Rams. Most recently, the Dolphins put up 34 points against the Las Vegas Raiders, securing a much-needed victory. Through four quarters, the Dolphins offense sustained three well-executed drives that each lasted more than seven minutes. Tagovailoa threw for two touchdowns, while the Dolphins defense was able to hold the Raiders to 19 points.

“It was encouraging to see the Dolphins put together great plays to blow out the Raiders. I think our team has a good chance to advance into the postseason if the offense and defense keep playing like they did that Sunday,” senior Ruben Sanchez said.

After conceding loss number six, the Dolphins have won two straight games, heading into a division square-off with the New England Patriots.

Currently, the NFL gives the Dolphins a 12% chance of reaching the playoffs. The offense has seemingly turned things around recently, but it remains to be seen if Tagovailoa and his playmakers can sustain drives and keep opposing offenses off the field. On the defensive side of the ball, the Dolphins rank eighth in opponents’ red zone scoring and ninth in yards allowed per game. The Dolphins’ defensive efficiency could be an important factor throughout their playoff hunt.

“I don’t think we can make the playoffs, despite the optimism in the Dolphins fanbase. We need to have an effective run game and have our receivers get open in those timing plays. We also need to be able to stop teams from moving up the field. So, I don’t think the Dolphins can do it,” senior Alejandro Nieves said.

A breeze of hope has Dolphins fans at the edge of their couches, waiting to see if the team can sneak into the Wild Card round for a third consecutive season. The team’s season has been a rollercoaster thus far, but the end result has yet to be determined. The Dolphins played a home game against the New England Patriots on Nov. 24, aiming to extend their winning streak to three games.