The Miami Dolphins are leading the AFC East with an 11-5 win-loss record, positioning them as one of the top Super Bowl LVIII contenders this season.
Behind the exceptional performances of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, coupled with a solid supporting ensemble, the Dolphins appear poised to contend for the Vince Lombardi trophy come February.
However, several other factors may prevent them from achieving glory.
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5 Reasons Miami Dolphins Will Not Win Super Bowl LVIII
1. Their exemplary record is deceiving.
This season, the Dolphins' leading 11-5 record in the AFC East has been primarily fueled by victories over teams with weaker standings.
Throughout the season, when matched against teams boasting winning records, the Dolphins secured just one win, a close two-point triumph over the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16 on Christmas Eve.
2. Lack of playoff experience.
The Dolphins have not secured a postseason victory since 2000, and the current indicators suggest that this trend may persist this season.
Apart from the seasoned experience of wide receiver Tyreek Hill and defensive back Jalen Ramsey, who have both secured Super Bowl victories, most of the Dolphins' roster, including head coach Mike McDaniel, have yet to navigate a deep postseason journey.
In McDaniel's inaugural year leading the team last season, they managed to reach the Wild Card round but faced a defeat against the Buffalo Bills with a score of 34-31.
3. Strong AFC teams
The AFC features a lineup of notably strong teams, and the Dolphins will undoubtedly face a challenging path to the Super Bowl, needing to overcome at least one of these formidable opponents en route to the championship game.
Key contenders in the AFC landscape include the defending Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, the Baltimore Ravens, the Cleveland Browns, and the rising Jacksonville Jaguars.
4. They have not beaten the top teams in the NFL.
The Dolphins have faced setbacks this season against teams widely regarded as Super Bowl contenders.
Notable defeats include a late October loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, led by Jalen Hurts, with a final score of 31-17.
This was followed by a 21-17 loss against Patrick Mahomes and the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, in Germany in early November.
Furthermore, on New Year's Eve, they suffered a significant defeat at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens, led by NFL MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson, with a score of 56-19.
5. Injury history
Dolphins star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has played in all of the Dolphins' 16 games so far this season. However, before this year, he had a track record marked by injury challenges.
Last year, the 25-year-old quarterback experienced two concussions, forcing him to sit out their single playoff match. Additionally, in 2021, he endured a fractured rib and sustained a broken finger on his throwing hand.
The Dolphins' postseason aspirations heavily rely on Tagovailoa, and any potential injury could jeopardize their Super Bowl ambitions.
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