Ranking the AFC East based on the teams under the most pressure to win in 2024
By Brandon Ray
3.) Miami Dolphins
It was just last season where the Miami Dolphins had the chance to win the AFC East for the first time since 2008. They had a three game lead on the Bills in the second half of the season but ultimately blew the opportunity to host a playoff game last season. Instead, they lost a massive Week 18 game to the Bills that was for the division. Rather than hosting Buffalo the following week in Miami, they traveled to Kansas City in frigid temperatures and were beaten down by the Chiefs.
The Dolphins suffered massive losses this offseason. On the offensive line, they lost one of the best guards in the game in Robert Hunt who is now in Carolina. On defense, they lost Xavien Howard, Christian Wilkins, and Andrew Van Ginkel. Miami’s “biggest name acquisition” was wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. who has not played a full season since 2019. The biggest pressure that the Dolphins have on their hands is not whether they pay Tua Tagovailoa, but how much they will pay him.
Miami’s free window is closing as Tua is going to get paid big money which will hurt them in other positions for the future. If you take into consideration what the Dolphins lost in free agency, their defense is going to look a lot different and be among one of the worst in the league.