The Miami Dolphins have reached the AFC playoffs only twice in the last two decades, and their dispiriting 1-7 start to this season signaled the makings of yet another lost and mediocre campaign.
But the team didn't sink deeper into despair at the midway point. Dating back to early November, the Dolphins have won five straight games, and happen to find themselves in the wild card conversation. Although five teams are ahead of them in the standings, Miami's playoff hopes are somehow still alive.
"We're just putting in work, trying to get things done now. I wouldn't say that it's easy, but we're starting to win," Dolphins wide receiver Mack Hollins told The DA Show on Thursday. "I wouldn't say too many things are easy, but we're continuing to put in work, do what you've got to do. [Tua Tagovailoa] has been great. He's just continuing to grow, it's what I like to see... He's grown more confident. You play a little bit better, and build confidence like that."
Tagovailoa, whose future with the franchise was seriously questioned before the Nov. 2 trade deadline, has performed at a high level during the win streak. In the five-game stretch, he leads the NFL in completion percentage (78.9), and also ranks sixth in QBR (60.2) and seventh in yards per attempt (7.67). Through nine games played, Tagovailoa has racked up 1,945 passing yards with 12 touchdowns and six interceptions.
The Dolphins' road to the playoffs isn't going to be smooth. Due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols, their offense might have to play Sunday's game against the rival New York Jets without star rookie wideout Jaylen Waddle and running backs Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed, and Phillip Lindsay. According to FiveThirtyEight, Miami has a 10-percent chance to reach the playoffs.
The entire Dolphins conversation between Hollins and DA can be accessed in the audio player above.
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