Dolphins Revealed as Playoff Pretenders by Tennessee

Much like the Jets and the Browns, the Dolphins have been searching for someone better than that group — a franchise quarterback — for decades, and their failure to do so compelled them to embark on a grand retooling after the 2018 season. Stripping their roster to amass draft capital and salary-cap flexibility, the Dolphins selected Tagovailoa in 2020 to spearhead their revival.

Instead of dominating games in the way of Justin Herbert, who was taken one pick later by the Los Angeles Chargers, Tagovailoa has neither confirmed that he should be a part of Miami’s future nor demonstrated that he shouldn’t. The Dolphins’ owner, Stephen M. Ross, wanted to acquire Watson from the Houston Texans, but wouldn’t authorize the deal unless Watson’s legal situation — he is accused of coercive and lewd behavior in 22 lawsuits — was resolved by the Nov. 2 trade deadline. It is likely that Miami will resume its pursuit of Watson, or another perceived upgrade, after the season.

“I’ve heard this the entire time I’ve been here,” said Tagovailoa, who completed 18 of 38 passes for 205 yards, lost a fumble and was sacked four times. “At the end of the day, I can control what I can control, and that’s the best version of myself I can be for this team.”

Tagovailoa had played efficiently throughout a winning streak that enabled Miami to chase its first playoff berth since the 2016 season. Not since 2006 had as many as 24 teams been alive for a playoff spot with two weeks left in the season. Entering Sunday, 11 of the A.F.C.’s 16 teams were at .500 or better, but only one — Kansas City, which clinched its division — had secured a playoff spot.

Among those still alive are the Baltimore Ravens, who, battered by injuries and illness, have lost their last five games; the Pittsburgh Steelers, who haven’t scored a first-half touchdown since before Thanksgiving; and the Las Vegas Raiders, who, even after winning at Indianapolis on Sunday, have been outscored by 68 points this season. According to Pro Football Reference, only three teams have advanced to the postseason with a worse point differential.

The Raiders, at least, will enter the final week of the season with a chance. The Dolphins could have been eliminated as soon as Sunday night if the Chargers — and Herbert, the quarterback they bypassed — beat Denver. Even with the expanded playoff field, with seven entrants from each conference instead of six, Miami could not sneak into the postseason.

Over the last four months, the Dolphins evolved from awful to competent. That is respectable. But this time, unlike some of their peers, being average wasn’t good enough.