MIAMI GARDENS — Recent history tells us that the Miami Dolphins (3-7) just finished their most successful part of the regular season under coach Mike McDaniel, the first 10 games. If that trend follows, brace for a so-so finish.

However, if the the Dolphins buck that trend, get ready for an exciting finish, one that could see the Dolphins possibly end with a nearly .500 record.

If the the Dolphins do what they’ve usually done under McDaniel in the final seven games they’d finish either 7-10 or 6-11. 

Only three of Miami’s final seven opponents have a winning record — Pittsburgh (5-4), Tampa Bay (6-3) and New England (8-2).

A winning season for the Dolphins, meaning a 9-8 record, would mean a spectacular finish of 6-1, which would include a win over either Tampa Bay or New England, their final two opponents.

Here’s the breakdown:

— Through the first 10 games each season of the McDaniel era, the Dolphins are 18-12 (.600). They were 7-3 in 2022, 7-3 in 2023, and 4-6 in 2024.

— In the final seven games each season of the McDaniel era, the Dolphins are 10-11 (.476). They were 2-5 in 2022, 4-3 in 2023, and 4-3 in 2024.

— Equally applicable, the Dolphins are 7-10 (.412) in December and January regular-season games under McDaniel, going 1-5 in 2022, 3-3 in 2023, and 3-2 in 2024.

Looking ahead, the Dolphins play Washington (3-7) this Sunday in Madrid, Spain, host New Orleans (2-8), and visit the New York Jets (2-7) in their next three games.

A four-game winning streak gets the Dolphins to 6-7 heading into the Monday night game at Pittsburgh.

As for McDaniel, he has a 31-30 (.508) career regular-season record. If the Dolphins finish this season 7-10, McDaniel would end the season with a 35-33 (.515). If the Dolphins finish 6-11, McDaniel ends the season with a 34-34 (.500) career record. 

Was it McDaniel or wasn’t it?

A video on social media shows someone resembling McDaniel driving by Elbo Room, the popular bar on Fort Lauderdale beach that is home to many Buffalo Bills fans, after Sunday’s game. McDaniel didn’t deny it was him Monday when asked about the video.

“That’s why I like the good old days, you know, the throwbacks of yore where you could trust the internet and the images because, you know, it is pretty detailed,” McDaniel said. “I do live in that area, but, I mean, AI, right? I mean, I live in that area. AI is real. It’s what I got for you.”

McDaniel was further asked if it was actually him in the video.

“For the record, I did not answer it,” he said. “That’s the punchline of the humor.”

Injury update

The Dolphins got out of the Buffalo game relatively injury free. That means attention turns largely to players eligible to return from the injured reserve and physically-unable-to-perform lists. McDaniel said one player could begin practicing this week among right tackle Austin Jackson (injured reserve/toe), right guard James Daniels (IR/pectoral), kicker Jason Sanders (IR/hip) and guard-center Liam Eichenberg (physically unable to perform/undisclosed injury). But he didn’t name the player.

Among players who didn’t play Sunday — cornerback Rasul Douglas (foot/ankle), wide receiver Dee Eskridge (shoulder), tight end Julian Hill (ankle) and safety Ashtyn Davis (quad), edge rusher Chop Robinson (concussion) — McDaniel said he was “feeling great” about how they were progressing and said he’s optimistic about them playing against Washington.

Offensive line blocks, protects effectively

Credit the Dolphins’ offensive line of center Aaron Brewer, left guard Jonah Savaiinaea, right guard Cole Strange, left tackle Patrick Paul and right tackle Larry Borom for perhaps their season’s best performance Sunday. Add in guard Daniel Brunskill, who comes into the game as the tight end/sixth offensive lineman as well as fellow tight ends Greg Dulcich and Hayden Rucci.

Running back De’Von Achane (22 carries, 174 yards, two touchdowns) led a rushing attack that totaled 197 yards on 32 carries.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa wasn’t sacked and was only hit twice.

The offensive line has been one of the Dolphins’ most criticized units this season but they seem to be finding their footing recently.

By the way, Brunskill played 18 snaps Sunday while Dulcich, whose stock seems to be rising, played 31 snaps and Rucci played 22 snaps.

Front seven excels

The defensive front seven, which many thought would be the best unit on the team, played perhaps its best game of the season, totaling 3.0 sacks and limiting the Bills to 87 yards rushing on 22 carries. Running back James Cook only had 53 yards on 13 carries while quarterback Josh Allen had a respectable 31 yards on four carries. Cook and Allen both lost fumbles.

The sacks were distributed among defensive tackle Zach Sieler, edge rusher Bradley Chubb and linebacker Willie Gay Jr.

The front seven stopped runs up the middle, set the edge to control runs on the outside, and applied enough pressure to keep Allen under control.