Dave Hyde, Sports Columnist
If winning seven straight games says something, winning Monday night was the easiest of them all. New Orleans was decimated by COVID. Ian Book could still be playing and not denting this defense. The Dolphins took care of business and kept the season moving.
Omar Kelly, Dolphins Columnist
It’s been a long, arduous journey, but the Dolphins have finally rebounded from their 1-7 start and are in possession of a winning record. Say whatever you want about this team’s poor start, and the caliber of opponents and quarterbacks they have played during this seven-game winning streak, but no matter how you slice it this rebound from being terrible to playoff contender is impressive.
David Furones, Dolphins Writer
This appears to be the formula for the Dolphins right now. Let the defense dominate, don’t make (too many) mistakes on offense while creating just enough plays. What a remarkable turnaround to go from seven straight losses to seven consecutive wins, but now come the true tests after beating this COVID-depleted New Orleans team. Miami has to come through at the Tennessee Titans (10-5) and in a home finale against the New England Patriots (9-6) to secure this playoff berth.
Keven Lerner, Assistant Sports Editor
The Dolphins, fueled by a first-half pick-six and an overpowering defense, now head to Nashville to face ex-Miami QB Ryan Tannehill and the Titans and try clearing the biggest hurdle between them and a miraculous playoff berth.
Steve Svekis, Assistant Sports Editor
In a game where the Dolphins’ coaches, already extremely conservative with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa during the win streak against uniformly bad teams, looked almost fearful of how the Saints defensive line was dominating the Dolphins front, a pick-six and a dominant defense was enough to get the Dolphins in position to make the playoffs with two more wins. The insurance drive by Tua and Co. to make it 17-3 may have been the best by the team this season, considering the opposing defense and site.