Dolphins Prove to Be Playoff Pretenders in Loss to Ravens

Despite jumping out to a 10-0 lead on the Baltimore Ravens, the Miami Dolphins folded when the Ravens adjusted, losing on a 28-3 run that began in the second quarter. The loss stings deeply, as the Dolphins lost their hold on the final AFC wild-card spot.

At 7-6, Miami likely would need to sweep its remaining three opponents to have a chance at making the playoffs. But after the last three weeks, there’s no reason to have confidence in this Dolphins team.

By losing 28-13 to the Ravens, Miami has again failed to beat an upper-echelon playoff contender. The losses are an indictment on a coaching staff that has proved to be stiff and unable to adapt to in-game occurrences.

Head coach Joe Philbin again failed to adjust when the team's adversary changed how it attacked Miami. The levels of incompetence that Philbin has shown in crucial games have led to another late-season situation that Miami is likely to fail in.

"

After finishing 7-9, 7-9, 6-10, 7-9 and 8-8 last 5 seasons, another Dolphins season slipping away. Since start of '13, Fins 7-7 at home.

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) December 7, 2014"

Winning at home against a similar team like the Ravens was never going to be easy, but there is no question the Dolphins were badly outcoached and outplayed. Miami lacks the mental strength to come back from tough penalties and long drives that are inevitable during games.

A true playoff contender wins these close games. With the season in jeopardy, the Dolphins fell apart before halftime and never showed enough heart or coaching acumen to get the momentum back from Baltimore.

Instead of an inspired performance from Philbin's team, Miami allowed 447 total yards, and the offense was held back by horrible offensive line play and overall discipline. The Dolphins were called for six penalties, with four coming on one drive. The team kept hurting itself every chance it could. 

As Miami will now prepare for the New England Patriots for a road game in Foxborough, the future is undoubtedly dimmer than ever before. Philbin and his staff are coaching for their jobs, and yet the players have not responded. There are too many missed blocks, dropped passes, blown gaps and poor coverage schemes for a playoff participant.

Philbin isn’t the only coach who has failed to properly lead his team. Defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle has continued to force players into his scheme that has been picked apart for weeks.

"

Atrocious. RT @AdamHBeasley: Dolphins have surrendered over 650 yards on the ground the last three games.

— Courtney Fallon (@CourtneyFallon_) December 7, 2014"

The Dolphins have endured several injuries on their defense, but the lack of defensive creativity and variety of coverages are weighing the unit down. When a defense is predictable and always runs the same coverage, the opposition will thrive. The last three weeks, Miami has been unable to stop everyone but Geno Smith. Simply put, that’s not acceptable when Coyle has a roster with multiple game-changers.

The holiday season is the time of year for miracles, and that’s what Miami will need for a playoff berth. That shouldn’t be expected if their loss on Sunday was an indication of the effort and leadership that comes from the Dolphins’ coaching staff and roster.