The Miami Dolphins are back in familiar territory - clawing their way out of an early-season hole with a late push that has fans wondering if this time will be different. After starting the year 1-6, Miami has ripped off four straight wins, five of their last six overall, and now sit at 6-7 with four games left to play.
The playoff door isn’t wide open, but it’s not shut either. And once again, the Dolphins are walking a tightrope between late-season redemption and another missed opportunity.
It’s a script Dolphins fans have seen before. Rallying back from a brutal start isn’t new for this team - they’ve shown resilience in past seasons, only to fall short when it mattered most.
Monday night’s showdown in Pittsburgh is the kind of game that has tripped them up in years past. It’s not just a must-win to keep postseason hopes alive - it’s a chance to change the narrative that Miami can’t get it done when the stakes are highest.
And for head coach Mike McDaniel, it could be the kind of game that defines his future in South Florida.
History Repeating Itself?
This isn’t the first time Miami has tried to pull off a midseason miracle. In 2021, they became the first team in NFL history to win seven straight games after dropping seven in a row.
Last season followed a similar pattern - a 2-6 start followed by a stretch of four wins in five games. Each time, the Dolphins showed heart.
They didn’t roll over. But they also didn’t finish the job.
The common thread? When it came time to beat a legitimate playoff-caliber team on the road, Miami couldn’t deliver.
Monday Night in Pittsburgh: A Familiar Test
That’s what makes this Monday Night Football matchup against the Steelers so critical. Pittsburgh, at 7-6, is hardly a juggernaut, but they’re leading the AFC North and riding high after a big divisional win over Baltimore.
They’re tough, physical, and confident - everything you expect from a playoff contender in December. For Miami, this is the kind of game they’ve failed to win in recent years.
And it’s exactly the kind of game they have to win if they want to be taken seriously.
Go back to 2021. After that seven-game win streak, the Dolphins traveled to Tennessee with a playoff spot on the line.
It wasn’t just a loss - it was a 34-3 no-show. The Titans dominated from start to finish, and Miami was eliminated.
Last year, it was a trip to Houston in mid-December. A more competitive game, sure, but still a loss - one that featured four turnovers from Tua Tagovailoa and another missed opportunity.
In both cases, the Dolphins had momentum. They had winnable games. And they let them slip away.
Beating Up on the Bottom, Falling Short at the Top
There’s been a pattern to these late-season runs. Miami stacks wins against struggling teams - and this year is no different.
Their current three-game win streak has come against teams outside the playoff picture. Yes, it started with an impressive victory over Buffalo, but since then, it’s been wins over opponents Miami was expected to beat.
Now comes the real test. A cold-weather road game in December.
A playoff contender standing in the way. The stage is set for Miami to prove they’ve grown - that this time, the climb back isn’t just for show.
What’s at Stake for McDaniel?
This game could carry major implications for Mike McDaniel. While it’s impossible to know what Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is thinking, it’s fair to say Monday night could be pivotal.
McDaniel wasn’t around for the Tennessee collapse in 2021, but he was on the sideline last year in Houston. He was also there the year before when Miami had a shot at the AFC’s top seed with a win in Baltimore - only to lose that game and every one after it.
It’s not just about wins and losses anymore. It’s about whether this team looks prepared, whether it rises to the moment or shrinks from it.
McDaniel has had a few chances now to lead Miami through these defining games. So far, the results haven’t been there.
Another stumble in Pittsburgh might be enough for Ross to decide it’s time for a new direction.
Still Alive - But Only If They Handle Business
Even if Miami wins Monday night - even if they win out and finish 10-7 - there’s no guarantee they’ll make the playoffs. The AFC is crowded, and tiebreakers may not fall in their favor.
But none of that matters if they don’t take care of business in Pittsburgh. Everything starts there.
A win would be more than just another step in the right direction. It would be a statement - that this Dolphins team isn’t just another version of the ones that came up short. That they can go on the road, in December, and beat a playoff team when it counts.
That’s what it takes to change a culture. That’s what it takes to be taken seriously in the AFC. And that’s what’s on the line Monday night.