The Miami Dolphins remain in first place in the division through 11 weeks and 10 games following Sunday’s bye.
That’s good for the deepest into a season they have held an AFC East lead since they last won the division title in 2008.
But that fascinating nugget won’t mean much if the Dolphins (7-3) don’t play up to that standard over the final seven games of the regular season, beginning with hosting the Houston Texans on Sunday afternoon.
“About as much value as a lottery ticket that you don’t check the winning numbers,” said Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel about being in first place deep into November in his first season as a head coach. “Is it worth something? I don’t know.
“Does that mean anything? I mean, it all depends on how you handle it.
“But literally nobody gives two … about who’s the Week [11] champion,” said McDaniel, stopping short of an expletive. “So, it’s an accomplishment that isn’t one that we’re chasing, nor does anyone give … nor does it matter, except in the moment and how you use it.”
The only way the Dolphins can use it Sunday, after the New England Patriots’ win over the New York Jets kept Miami in first place and second in the conference, is to handle the 1-8-1 Texans on Sunday.
Then, the schedule gets tougher. It’s the back-to-back weekends in California against the 49ers and Chargers to follow. Three of the final four games are the second meetings with the Dolphins’ divisional foes — the Bills, Patriots and Jets with Buffalo and New England on the road.
“I think there is an element, once you get closer to the end of the season, that you feel pride in controlling your destiny,” McDaniel said. “I think that is a cool deal. But at the same time, is it totally necessary to achieve your goals? It’s not.
“I’m happy where we’re at. Been first place and won the division after 10 weeks and been last place after 10 weeks and won the division. So, it’s neither here nor there. As long as we keep moving in the appropriate trajectory, I’ll be good with it.”
After Week 11, Miami is tied atop the AFC East with the Bills at 7-3 but owning the tiebreaker. The Patriots and Jets are close behind at 6-4. One loss in the wrong spot can flip everything upside down in the division.
“The point is that you continue to progress,” McDaniel said.
Veteran players are taking on that same notion.
Defensive tackle John Jenkins didn’t even know the Dolphins were leading the division when it was mentioned to him.
“The overall concept is getting into the show,” said Jenkins, a 10-year veteran in a third season with Miami. “It really doesn’t matter where we are right now. The only thing that matters is that we keep being consistent, playing for one another, having fun on the field. Outside of that, I don’t think anything matters.”
Added fullback Alec Ingold: “A good start’s a good start, but that’s all it is. If you make it any more than that, that gets dangerous.”
Ingold wants to be in the division lead after Week 18 — not Week 11.
“The goal is to be at the top at the end of it,” he said. “We put ourselves in a spot to be there, and now it’s finish the job.
“I feel like that’s what a good start does for you, it allows you to get in those games, but now, it’s like, ‘OK, we need to play in those games. We need to perform in those games. We need to win those games.'”
The stakes rise as a team continues to put itself in position for those key games late in the season. Jenkins recalls his rookie year with the New Orleans Saints and the tougher path that came with falling into a wild-card berth with a loss to the Carolina Panthers in the penultimate regular-season game. The Saints had to win a road game in Philadelphia and then lost to the Seattle Seahawks, the eventual Super Bowl champs that postseason.
“It just goes to show that every game counts,” Jenkins said.
Winning the division would be critical in the playoffs as the Dolphins are then guaranteed to start the postseason at home at Hard Rock Stadium. Getting the No. 2 seed in the conference means you’re home in the divisional round, as well. Get up to No. 1 in the AFC, which the Kansas City Chiefs have a hold of right now, you get your first-round bye and the road to the Super Bowl would go through Miami.
But fall back into a wild-card berth, and the Dolphins will be looking at a road trek in the postseason, possibly in some frigid northern environments.
The Dolphins understand what’s at stake down the stretch in the regular season and are not getting ahead of themselves over the standings after Week 11.
