NFL
By: Rick O’Donnell
You wouldn’t think that Mike McDaniel and the 6-7 Miami Dolphins would be in the playoff hunt after how they started this season. Truth be told, they might be clinging on for dear life to that playoff spot and most likely won’t get it. However, the more important story isn’t whether or not it eliminates them from the playoffs, but does it decide their future.
It’s been said that Mike McDaniel has been on the hot seat this season. The reports that owner Stephen Ross likes him have played over and over again. Those sentiments were strengthened when Ross fired their long time GM, Chris Grier, and kept McDaniel around. The team is either headed for a soft reset or a full blown rebuild in 2026, and it all might be decided against this week’s matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
A 7-6 Pittsburgh team facing a 6-7 Dolphins team might not be the groundbreaking matchup to determine the fate of their franchise as some may think, but there’s plenty on the line for both teams. Pittsburgh needs to maintain their narrow lead in their division where only the Cleveland Browns are mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Every other team in that division could still potentially make it if they can get to the top, so every one of them are playing for keeps.
However, let’s shift the focus to the Miami Dolphins here. Despite his winning season in 2023 where the Dolphins looked like they’d run away with the NFL, the team has struggled since. There have been tweaks to their roster for 2025 but the team would barely miss the playoffs with an 8-9 record losing some heartbreakers. With 4-games left this season facing the Steelers, Bengals, Buccaneers, and Patriots, this game might be one of the most important of McDaniels short head coaching career.
It’s December, Miami will be facing a playoff team, in the cold weather of Pittsburgh. While each game remaining has a similar arc, this one could be the tipping point of the season. If they win, their season progresses, but if they lose what do they have to play for going forward?
If they’re eliminated before they face their remaining opponents, the narrative stays. McDaniel will have to coach in December, against a playoff team in 3 more games. Two of those games will be in the warm weather of Miami. There will no longer be a chance for the Dolphins to prove that narrative wrong under Mike McDaniel. However, if they win, he can be the hero who saved their season and proved everyone wrong, and most likely save his job.
A six-win team facing a seven-win team might not carry the weight fans are looking for this late in the season. Yet it still could be one of the most important games for the Miami Dolphins under HC Mike McDaniel.
