From the moment the Miami Dolphins pushed their winning streak to seven games with a Monday night win over the New Orleans Saints, head coach Brian Flores has been showered with Coach of the Year love.
His credentials are simple: he was able to get his team to keep fighting after losing seven straight games on the way to a 1-7 start to the season. That fight made the Dolphins the only team in NFL history to win seven straight games in a season they also lost seven straight.
Now, Miami is 8-7 and in possession of the final AFC playoff spot entering Week 17.
Former NFL quarterback and ESPN analyst Robert Griffin III is among those who think Flores deserves some consideration.
Tua and the *Dolphins have won 7 straight and it don’t matter who the teams were. 7 in a row after losing 7 straight is an incredible display of perseverance. Brian Flores for coach of the year.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 28, 2021
Is it weird of me to think Brian Flores should be the Coach of the Year front runner right now?
Keeping a team together and focused enough to make a playoff run after a 1-7 start kinda speaks for itself imo.
— Brett Kollmann (@BrettKollmann) December 28, 2021
IF Brian Flores gets the Dolphins into the playoff after they produced a 7 game losing streak he has to be considered for coach of the year, right? pic.twitter.com/5aKUU5KMjL
— Omar Kelly (@OmarKelly) December 27, 2021
If the Dolphins run the table and get in the playoffs, idk how anyone else except Brian Flores could win coach of the year.
— Smoke (@NickysBets) December 27, 2021
#Dolphins go from 1-7 to 8-7 and in the playoffs. Unheard of. If Brian Flores leads this team the rest of the way, expect Coach of the Year votes.
— Justin Hier (@HierJustin) December 28, 2021
Brian Flores deserves some Coach of the Year votes. #MNF #MIAvsNO
— LaMar Gafford (@lamargafford) December 28, 2021
The big caveat in a lot of the tweets about Flores’ candidacy is that the Dolphins finish the job and clinch a postseason berth. It’s a fair ask considering who they’d have to beat in the final two games. They close the season against the Tennessee Titans and New England Patriots, teams that would be in the playoffs if the season ended today. None of the teams Miami beat during its win streak would be there.
If the Dolphins can add another quality win to their resume – and increase their chances to lock up a playoff spot in the process– Flores’ odds would also improve. He currently has +2000 odds on Tipico Sportsbook to win Coach of the Year, seventh-shortest behind Matt Lafleur, Frank Reich, Bill Belichick, Zac Taylor, Mike Vrabel and Sean McVay.
Even if the Dolphins pulled off upsets in their final two games – which would include a second win this season over Belichick and a win over Vrabel – Flores would likely still need the teams of other candidates to slip a little. As impressive as Miami’s turnaround has been, it was only made possible by the hole the team dug for itself.
The Green Bay Packers, led by Lafleur, have been awesome all season. It’s hard to see him not receiving a lot of love if they win out to finish the season with a league-best 14-3 record. Or if the Cincinnati Bengals – who have exceeded all expectations – win their division and remain ahead of Miami in the standings. Taylor will also receive heavy consideration.
It’s no doubt Flores deserves to have his name mentioned in the conversation but he’s by no means the only deserving candidate. The Dolphins still have work to do if he’s to be seriously considered.
