The loss to Baltimore on Sunday has left the Miami Dolphins more feeble than ever with three games remaining.
They currently sit at 7-6, and trail the Chargers, Ravens, and Steelers all by a game. On any other week, against any other opponent (Denver and Green Bay aside), this wouldn't be as grim of a scenario as it's made out to be.
However, this isn't any other week, and this isn't any other opponent.
This is Tom Brady, at home, in December.
Brady's career home record? 89-14.
His career December record? 46-7.
This is the New England Patriots, and not the Patriots the Dolphins have beaten twice in a row, either.
These are the Patriots that have won eight of their last nine games. These are the Patriots that haven't lost a home regular season game in nearly two years to the day. These are the Patriots that currently hold the first overall seed in the AFC.
So yes, in a must win, do or die, 'season's over if you lose' game, this isn't an ideal opponent, or location, for the Miami Dolphins.
To make matters more grim, this is a severely hobbled Miami team, especially on the defensive side of the ball, where both Koa Misi and Jelani Jenkins are nursing injuries that could keep them out of Sunday's game.
On top of all of this, you have a third year coach in Joe Philbin who's facing a three game audition for his future in Miami. Anything but a 3-0 finish could send Philbin packing come January 1st, and leave the Dolphins, once again, in a state of disarray.
So yes, thing's aren't exactly rosy in South Beach right now. Players are doubting the coaches, coaches are losing the trust of the owner, and the owner is losing the trust of the fan base.
And another loss on Sunday will only make things darker, as it will almost certainly eliminate the Dolphins from yet another playoff race.
But, as we sit here today, it's not over quite yet. While these Dolphins may be on life support right now, they haven't quite flat lined yet.
There is some good news. Cortland Finnegan and Jamar Taylor will return this week after missing most of the past month. Next to that, one has to assume that, at some point, this once "elite" defense will regain it's form.
With their backs against the wall, and the whole world doubting them, wouldn't it make sense to do it this week, against a team they've had success against before?
Offensively, Ryan Tannehill is a much better quarterback than he was thirteen weeks ago. So is Jarvis Landry. Heck, the entire Miami offense is better than they were in September. And hey, Dallas Thomas can only get better, right?
There are two types of dangerous teams in sports: the elite one's who own home field advantage, and the underdogs with their backs against the wall.
On Sunday, those two worlds are set to collide. With a win, and some help, Miami could vault right back into the playoff picture for the final two game stretch.
It may be faint, but there is still a pulse in the 2014 Dolphins.
This weekend, with all the odds stacked against them, they have one last chance to flip the script.
Unfortunately, if they fail, it'll be time to pull the plug for the final time.
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