The Miami Dolphins have fallen short of their postseason expectations each of the last two years, causing head coach Joe Philbin to be fired early last season. Those expectations haven't changed under new head man Adam Gase, and this team certainly has the talent to make a run towards the Super Bowl. Here are three reasons why the Dolphins will make the playoffs this season:
1) Ryan Tannehill's breakout season
Miami gave Tannehill a big contract extension this year, and he hasn't lived up to it. There were times over the past two seasons where Ryan Tannehill looked like an emerging star, and a plummeting interception rate portends even bigger things for the talented signal caller in 2016. He is still inconsistent at times, but Gase turned Jay Cutler into a quality quarterback as the Bears' offensive coordinator last year, many expect he'll the same with Tannehill. Miami is counting on him to take the next step if they want to meet their postseason expectations.
2) Wide open AFC East
New England has owned the division for the past decade, but with Tom Brady out for the first four games of the season, they could take a step back. Same for a New York Jets team without Ryan Fitzpatrick, and the Bills will continue to be inconsistent as long as Rex Ryan is their coach. Miami may not necessarily win the division, but the opportunity for victories are there, and should get them at least a wild card spot.
3) Loaded defense
Miami's defense largely underachieved last year, but that won't be the case in 2016. Ndamukong Suh and Cameron Wake combine to make up one of the most dominant defensive line duos in the entire league, while Kiko Alonso upgraded the linebacking core and Byron Maxwell finally gives them a reliable cornerback. All of the pieces are in place for them to have one of the league's best defenses - now, they just have to go out and produce.
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