Miami Dolphins Miss Playoffs in 2024: Key Factors Behind the Disappointing Season

The Miami Dolphins‘ 2024 season ended in disappointment as the team failed to secure a playoff spot, finishing with an 8-9 record. This marked the first time in head coach Mike McDaniel‘s tenure that the Dolphins missed the postseason, despite remaining in contention until the final week of the regular season.

The Dolphins’ struggles were compounded by the absence of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who missed significant time due to injuries, including a concussion that landed him on injured reserve. Without Tagovailoa, the offense sputtered, averaging just 10 points per game during his four-game absence. Backup quarterbacks Tim Boyle, Skylar Thompson, and Tyler Huntley failed to deliver, leading to a 1-3 record in those games.

Even when Tagovailoa returned, the team struggled to close out games, suffering last-second losses to the Arizona Cardinals and Buffalo Bills. The defense, while strong overall, faltered in critical moments, including a costly personal foul penalty by safety Jordan Poyer that extended a Buffalo drive and ultimately led to a loss.

The offense also underperformed in key situations, converting only half of their 34 third-and-1 or fourth-and-1 attempts. A defining moment came during a Thanksgiving night game against the Green Bay Packers, where the Dolphins failed to score from the 1-yard line in four attempts.

Despite standout performances from running back De'Von Achane and tight end Jonnu Smith, the Dolphins’ offense took a significant step back. Star receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle combined for 1,110 fewer yards than the previous season, and the team finished with a minus-5 turnover differential.

General Manager Chris Grier acknowledged the team’s shortcomings, stating, ‘8-9 is not the standard here. We will be better.’ The Dolphins now face a critical offseason, with a focus on improving depth at quarterback and addressing roster weaknesses to avoid another disappointing campaign in 2025.