Miami Dolphins

Why do the Miami Dolphins collapse late in the season?

Published Jul. 13, 2015 8:30 p.m. ET

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In three season under head coach Joe Philbin the Miami Dolphins have recorded records of 7-9, 8-8 and 8-8. Despite finishing with a .500 record in each of the past two seasons, the Dolphins have had a chance to make the playoffs in both years, begging the question, what goes wrong towards the end of the season?

In 2013, some could point to the fact that the Dolphins locker room drama between former players Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin became too much to handle. The offense also sputtered down the stretch and the Dolphins went from 8-6 and on the cusp of a playoff berth to 8-8 and out of the playoff picture.

Last season, the Dolphins defense let them down as they dropped three of their last four games which included a dismantling by the 4-12 New York Jets.

There may not be a definite solution but you can't say the Dolphins aren't trying to remedy the problem. They renovated the stadium to make it seem like a true homefield advantage. The Dolphins also overhauled their wide receiving corps and added arguably the top free agent in the offseason in defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.

If the Dolphins find themselves with a shot to make the playoffs in the final quarter of the season, they are hoping all the changes on the roster will finally put them over the top and see Miami make the playoffs for the first time since 2008.

(h/t Sun Sentinel)

Photo Credit: Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports