Debate Rages Over 2023 Dolphins' Potential With Patriots' Schedule

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A debate is raging among NFL fans over whether the 2023 Miami Dolphins, led by quarterback Drake Maye, would have made the Super Bowl if they had the New England Patriots' easier schedule that year. The Dolphins only lost one game to a losing team that season, leading some to believe they could have gone 13-4 or 14-3 with home playoff games if they faced the same opponents as the Patriots.

Why it matters

This hypothetical scenario highlights the significant impact that schedule strength can have on a team's playoff chances and performance, especially in a parity-driven league like the NFL where even small advantages can make a big difference.

The details

The Patriots reached the Super Bowl in 2023 despite only playing 5 games against teams that finished the season with a winning record. In contrast, Dolphins quarterback Drake Maye only had 2 touchdowns against winning teams that year, with one of those coming in a loss to Pittsburgh. Fans argue that if the Dolphins had the Patriots' schedule, they likely would have only lost one game to a losing team (Tennessee) and could have gone 13-4 or 14-3 with home playoff games, potentially beating the Chargers and Texans before taking down quarterback Jarrett Stidham and the Patriots.

• The 2023 NFL season took place.
• The debate over the Dolphins' potential with the Patriots' schedule is ongoing.