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The most important player to every AFC teams’ playoff hopes

By Joel Deering

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 16: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates his second half touchdown against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 16, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 16: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates his second half touchdown against the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium on December 16, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images) /
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AFC teams' playoff hopes - Ryan Tannehill
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – DECEMBER 16: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins points at the line of scrimmage in the second quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on December 16, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /

Miami Dolphins (7-7)

Most important player: QB Ryan Tannehill

Ryan Tannehill led the Dolphins to a 3-0 start this season. They’ve since slipped, but part of the reason for that is because Tannehill was injured for several weeks. Tannehill hasn’t always played well, but when he has, the Dolphins have benefitted from it. That’s why Tannehill is the most important player to this AFC team’s playoff hopes.

Tannehill has had five games this season where he’s had a passer rating over 100.0. The Dolphins have a 4-1 record in those games. When the Dolphins have lost with Tannehill as the starter, his passer ratings have been 47.9, 57.4, 119.4 and 59.0. You can see that if Tannehill isn’t having a good game, the Dolphins’ chances of winning are low. That one loss in which his passer rating was 119.4, the Dolphins lost to a hot Colts team by just three.

Miami has an uphill battle to climb to get into the playoffs. A lot of things must go their way, but the number one thing they need to go their way is Tannehill’s play. If he’s passing with a 100.0+ passer rating, their chances of winning are pretty good. If he’s not playing at that level, this team will likely struggle.

Give Tannehill credit for what he’s been able to do when he’s played, but he needs to be more consistent. He has no room for error at this point in the season. Which version of him will the Dolphins get in the final two weeks?

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