Dolphins: Can they make a run on Patriots in AFC East?

The New England Patriots have won the AFC East for eight straight seasons. The Miami Dolphins are a contender but have they done enough to win the AFC East?

The Miami Dolphins made the playoffs in 2016 for the first time since 2008. In fact no team other than the New England Patriots have won the AFC East since 2008. And that year is significant because it was the season that Tom Brady missed due to a torn ACL.

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This tells us how dominant the Patriots have been in the division and what a daunting task it is for the Dolphins, Buffalo Bills and New York Jets to even think about winning the AFC East. But since the Dolphins are the closest, we’ll look at their chances.

The Miami Dolphins went 10-6 last season but if you look at the statistics, it’s hard to see how they made the playoffs. The Dolphins ranked 24th in the league offensively and 29th on defense. So how did the Dolphins do it?

Well for one new head coach Adam Gase was smart enough to lean on his running game. The Dolphins had the 9th ranked rushing offense led by running back Jay Ajayi. The fifth round pick in 2015 went on to rush for 1,272 yards and 8 TD’s.

Also, the Miami Dolphins got hot during the middle of the season as the went 9-1 during weeks 6 through 16. Beating up on some bad teams in that stretch but none the less taking care business against teams they should have beaten.

Coming into 2017 GM Chris Grier and head coach Adam Gase knew they couldn’t count on having such a weak schedule again this season. So moves had were made to improve the team in spite of the playoff appearance.

They had to get better against the run, so they signed free agent linebacker Lawrence Timmons and strong safety T.J. McDonald. Although McDonald is on suspension for eight games this season for violating the NFL personal conduct policy.

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In the draft they used their first three picks on defense. Defensive end Charles Harris and linebacker Raekwon McMillan will have opportunities to make an immediate impact. The Dolphins also need to improve their passing game.

They need wide receiver Devante Parker to have a big year and join Jarvis Landry as dangerous target for Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins also need tight end Julius Thomas to show the form he did with the Denver Broncos when Gase was offensive coordinator there.

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All of this will have the Miami Dolphins in playoff contention again. The New York Jets have basically thrown in the towel on 2017 and are rebuilding. The Buffalo Bills will be better but so will the Dolphins.

But can the Miami Dolphins catch the Patriots? They are a step closer to it, but no. The Patriots will win the AFC East for a ninth straight season. However, if the defense approves and quarterback Ryan Tannehill can have his best season, then the Dolphins have a small chance.

Next: 49ers: How high will their offense jump in 2017?

But otherwise the Miami Dolphins are playing to secure second place in the division, improve on their record from last season and making another run at the playoffs. All of that is possible, but for 2017 the Patriots are too strong for the to beat out for the AFC East title.

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