Before each game, Furones and Perkins will select a “Best Bet” and a “Longshot.” The “Best Bet” selection is a near 50-50 proposition while the “Longshot” is at least +300 or a 3-to-1 probability.

They don’t place dollar amounts on their bets, but you’re welcome to wager as much as you can afford.

Furones is 9-7 on his “Best Bets” while Perk is 3-13. On the “Longshot,” Furones is 5-11 and Perk has slumped to 3-13.

Perkins and Furones use the Hard Rock Bet app for odds. Be sure to check the Sun Sentinel predictions for Sunday’s overall outlook.

By the way, this week’s Dolphins prop bet options were limited due to uncertainty regarding their injury situation.

Perk’s Best Bet: Rhamondre Stevenson anytime TD (-110)

The Miami Dolphins‘ run defense remains feast or famine. And while TreVeyon Henderson is the Patriots’ leader in yards and touchdowns, I could see Stevenson crossing the goal line once on Sunday. Besides, I could use some good fortune here.

Furones’ Best Bet: TreVeyon Henderson over 57.5 rushing yards (-115)

The rookie has been excellent from a yards-per-carry standpoint. It’s not a big number because he splits the workload with Stevenson. I wonder about Dolphins tackling as they get deeper in a cold-weather game after having to bring down the two all evening.

Furones lost his Best Bet last week of running back De’Von Achane rushing for 74.5 yards or fewer while Perk lost his Best Bet of tight end Darren Waller achieving 24.5 or more yards receiving.

Perk’s Longshot: Rasul Douglas over 0.5 INT (+800)

Douglas, Miami’s top cornerback, is the team leader in interceptions (two) so it makes sense that he could get one on Patriots quarterback Drake Maye. The Dolphins have been more adept at forcing turnovers in the second half of the season and Douglas has had a good year, so he gets the nod here. By the way, a good pass rush would likely help him get an interception.

Furones’ Longshot: Julian Hill anytime TD (+700)

Hey, what better time than now for Hill to score his first career touchdown? Darren Waller is out, De’Von Achane is doubtful, Jaylen Waddle questionable, and after Greg Dulcich just caught one from Quinn Ewers last game. Maybe this is Hill’s chance slipping away off play action near the goal line.

Perk lost his Longshot last week of a Waller anytime TD while Furones lost his Longshot of tight end Cade Otton having an anytime TD.

The big news for the Dolphins on Thursday night was that Aikman, who also serves as a NFL television analyst, will assist the franchise in its search for a general manager. The Dolphins parted ways with ex-general manager Chris Grier on Halloween.

“I’m not opposed to more information ever,” McDaniel said. “I think (in) prioritizing the importance of a decision, you educate yourself. And I think Troy Aikman speaks for himself in terms of his relationships that he’s had within the National Football League and knows a lot of things. Information is a positive to me. And being able to resource that, we’re fortunate. I’m excited for that.”

McDaniel, after being asked if he thinks Aikman’s participation in the GM search affects his job status for 2026, reiterated he doesn’t think about his future.

“As far as everything else, again, I’m not going to spend one second of this job prioritizing what my job is under some other, ‘Does this work for me?’ ” he said. “My priority is I’m a head coach and I’m going to take those responsibilities (seriously) as they relate to everybody involved in the organization. I’m going to take those serious and focus on that. And I’m not joking, lying, misleading. I don’t think about all those questions ever. It’s a waste of my time and I don’t try to waste my time or other people’s.” 

Also, McDaniel seemed to be aware that Aikman, working as a television analyst, was critical of the Dolphins’ clock management in the game at Pittsburgh on Dec. 15.

“When things work, people will applaud,” McDaniel said. “When they don’t work they’ll have critiques. And if I expect anything else that’s a level of entitlement that doesn’t really hit me correctly. So it’s kind of the nature of the biz. So you’re telling me he didn’t like us not scoring points and taking up too much time. Neither did I. That was not the intent, and he’s doing his job. 

“And when I signed up for this job, it was inherent that results dictate all narratives regardless of if something was good, bad, or whatever. So it doesn’t bother me in the least. As a matter of fact, I think it would be funny if it did.”

Chubb gives thumbs up to Champ Kelly

Champ Kelly, the Dolphins interim general manager, has a major supporter in outside linebacker Bradley Chubb, the team leader in sacks (8.5), a team captain and the Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee, who wishes “nothing but the best for him.”

Kelly, who is incredibly popular among everyone from players to security workers at Hard Rock Stadium, was appointed interim general manager after Grier’s dismissal. Kelly, hired by the Dolphins in March as senior personnel executive, will reportedly get an interview for the job.

Chubb was asked about Kelly on Wednesday.

“He’s an outstanding dude,” Chubb began. “I was actually talking to ‘JB’ (outside linebacker Jordyn Brooks) about this not too long ago; it’s funny how God works because at the beginning of the season during camp and (organized team activities), he had torn his Achilles so he was in the training room, just around, in the sauna, in the cold tub. 

“Us being players, we just see him in there, talking to him, building that relationship without him even possibly being the GM at the time, and then when he did become the GM, we already had that relationship with him. Everybody already had that certain type of familiarity with him. He just stayed doing the same things he was doing.

“He’s always around, always rapping it with us, talking with us, joking with us,” Chubb continued. “It’s just like we didn’t miss a beat from the person who was the executive to the person who’s the GM now. He just carries that same energy through the games. You look over to the sideline, you see him, it just makes you want to go a little harder because he cares about it, his heart is in it. It was in it before he got that job, too, so it’s been dope to see. I wish nothing but the best for him.”

Waller, Fitzpatrick to miss finale

Tight end Darren Waller (groin) has been placed on the injured reserve list, meaning his season is over, and safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf) has been declared “out” for the New England game, according to the week’s final report on Friday.

Seven players are questionable: running back De’Von Achane (shoulder), wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (ribs), center Aaron Brewer (neck), linebacker Jordyn Brooks (hamstring), outside linebackers Chop Robinson (concussion) and Quinton Bell (illness), and right tackle Austin Jackson (groin). Achane hasn’t practiced all week.

McDaniel said kicker Riley Patterson will handle kicking duties instead of the team activating kicker Jason Sanders (hip) from the injured reserve list.

In a roster move, the Dolphins signed running back Donovan Edwards off Washington’s practice squad and placed him on the active roster. The Dolphins released cornerback Clarence Lewis from the practice squad.

Chop assessment

Robinson, the 2024 first-round pick who is trying to rebound from a concussion sustained last week, has had a tough year statistically with 4.0 sacks after posting 6.0 last year as a rookie. Outside linebackers coach Sean Ryan was asked about areas where Robinson has done well this season.

“I think, No. 1, he’s taking on different blocks in the run game,” Ryan said. “I think he improved there. I think he’s always going to work on rushing the passer because it’s one of his strengths. But I think his counter rushes, things that he does off of what he does really well.

“But those counter rushes, when the speed and the things off the edge don’t work, what do you have next to go to? And I think he really developed in those ways. So those two stand out to me right off the jump, to be honest with you.”

Wease gets praise

Undrafted rookie wide receiver Theo Wease Jr. (three receptions, 95 yards, one touchdown) has been a preferred target for rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, largely because of their time together in training camp and on the practice squad. Wide receivers coach Robert Prince said he’s seen development from Wease this season even though he’s only played in two games.

“The thing with Theo is he was one of the guys that we really targeted, looking to draft him,” Prince said. “He fell through the cracks and we were able to get him so we’re extremely happy with that and with his development.”

Prince credited Jonathan Krause, the Dolphins’ assistant wide receivers coach, for working with Wease as well as other practice squad wide receivers Tahj Washington and A.J. Henning after practice to sharpen their techniques.

“That’s really helped speed up the process with those guys,” Prince said, “and you can see the proof in the pudding with Theo.”

Ross also has leaned on NFL decision-makers such as former Kansas City Chiefs general manager Carl Peterson and Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy at different times.

None had the answer. Some led to major embarrassments. So, now Ross has gone the unconventional route of entering the broadcast booth for help. He’s hired ESPN analyst and Hall of Fame quarterback Troy Aikman to consult on the general manager search in a statement of how pointedly desperate or purposely open-minded he is. Maybe both?

It’s not Ross alone making this decision. Son-in-law Danny Sillman, who has a sports-entrepreneurial background and has studied the team’s innards in recent years, is thought to be a rising voice in the organization on decisions like this. Aikman is empowered to conduct a genuine search for a GM, too, one that will cover the league and involve larger concepts like the structure of power inside the team and reshaping a dysfunctional personnel department.

Interim GM Champ Kelly will be interviewed like any other candidate. But that’s all he is at this point: Any other candidate.

Coach Mike McDaniel? Ross hasn’t made the decision on his future — or at least he hasn’t shared it inside the team, a source said. But the heavy sentiment is he will be returning as coach. The Aikman hire does involve some murky issues surrounding McDaniel, however, that seem even murkier to understand now.

For instance does Aikman tell prospective general managers they inherit McDaniel with the job? If so, does that limit the pool of candidates, considering some don’t know the coach and perhaps others wouldn’t want to work with him (or vice versa)?

Consider, too, that Aikman already had been hired by Ross when he sharply criticized McDaniel’s tactics and time management in broadcasting the Dolphins’ loss to Pittsburgh a few weeks ago.

“I’m flabbergasted by what we’ve witnessed here in this fourth quarter with the Dolphins,’’ Aikman said on ESPN that game. “And now they want to call timeouts. It just is about as ridiculous a fourth quarter as I’ve seen in a long time.”

Does it matter? Again, Ross seemingly wants to bring McDaniel back as coach, the internal chatter and tea leaves suggest. And Aikman, the source said, is simply charged with bringing general manager candidates to Ross and isn’t involved in the coaching question. But one bleeds into the other in some form, doesn’t it?

Underpinning all this is the basic question: Why Aikman? And can Ross get his thoughts on potential quarterbacks, too? Maybe work a two-for-one on consulting fees?

Aikman meets with the hierarchy of the two teams on his broadcast schedule each week, so there’s no question he has behind-the-scenes access that many don’t. This is the kind of access Ross needs in some form. Who’s smart around the league? Who’s really making decisions inside a certain team? How are other organizations structured and, as importantly, their personnel department built?

Aikman is privy to that in ways most aren’t. The bad news: He’s never hired anyone or built a team. The good news; He has contacts going back decades, even playing with an executive like New England’s senior personnel executive Alonzo Highsmith.

To further understand why Ross wanted Aikman, understand how Ross appreciated the role former Golden State Warriors general manager Bob Myers had in counseling Washington Commanders’ owner Josh Harris.

Myers, like Aikman, was a franchise outsider who won championships before shifting to television. Unlike Aikman, Myers built a sports dynasty with his decisions — but in basketball, not football. So it’s not apples-to-apples. But the idea holds: Ross liked the idea of a winner from outside the organization helping him.

The question isn’t  if Aikman knows football, understands winning or has inside access. It’s simply whether he can help Ross find a football mind to run and rebuild a front office that has been dysfunctional for years. Scouting, layers of management — it all needs redoing. That’s some good news, too. It’s the organization getting a makeover now, not just the roster.

Aikman once talked of having general manager desires, but told the Dolphins he didn’t sign on to name himself the best candidate. He’s not interested in the job, the team source said.

The other issue in play during this search is the structure of the new Dolphins. Since GM Chris Grier was fired in late October, Ross has had three people report as equals to him: McDaniel, Kelly and Brandon Shore, a team vice president dealing primarily with the salary cap.

Teams like Detroit, Chicago and the Los Angeles Rams have a similar three-headed structure. Do the Dolphins continue in this manner? And do they report directly to Ross or through an intermediary like, say, team president Tom Garfinkel?

All these questions are in play inside the Dolphins as they set to finish another disappointing season Sunday in New England. A year ago after the finale, Ross issued a statement that Grier and McDaniel would return.

No such statement will be coming Sunday. Ross felt so pained by firing Grier that he felt the need to have a full search rather than make the easier choice of just giving the job to Kelly.

Aikman will lead that search. Ross is so desperate to pull his franchise out of a football coma. He’s tried other accepted ways. Maybe this one works?

The 2025 Dolphins are 7-3 (.700) when they rush for 100 or more yards; the 2023 Dolphins were 6-5 (.545) when they rushed for 100 or more yards.

A deciding factor in the debate could come Sunday when the Dolphins’ run game ventures to New England. The challenge — deliver a late-season road victory against a playoff-caliber opponent in frigid weather.

The run game is why the Dolphins, a 10-point underdog, might have a puncher’s chance of pulling the upset at New England, where the temperature at kickoff is expected to be 23 degrees.

But the Dolphins might have to try to defeat the Patriots without running back De’Von Achane, the team’s MVP and the league’s No. 5 rusher with 1,350 yards. Achane, who is battling a shoulder injury, wasn’t seen at Friday’s practice and hasn’t practiced all week.

For various reasons, the Dolphins have stumbled greatly in late-season cold weather road games under coach Mike McDaniel, compiling a 1-6 record. 

If the 2025 run game can lead the Dolphins (7-9) to a huge upset against New England (13-3), it would cement this year’s unit as having the better run game over the 2023 crew. 

This year’s run game and offensive line have shown that they’re reliable, versatile and capable of winning games. That’s why there’s an argument to be made that his run game is preferable to the 2023 run game.

McDaniel didn’t take a side in the 2025 run game vs. 2023 run game conversation. But he contends the 2025 run game’s success starts with the offensive line.

“I think we’ve been more consistent based upon the players really going after it, owning it and believing in what we’re doing and they have the will for it,” he said. “This group of people really likes the feeling of when they’re controlling the line of scrimmage.”

The 2025 run game has sent mixed signals as to whether it’s effective in late-season, cold weather games, a true test for any run game.

The Dolphins rushed for 239 yards in a 34-10 victory at the New York Jets on Dec. 7. The following week,  the Dolphins were held to 63 yards rushing in a 28-15 loss at Pittsburgh.

Offensive coordinator Frank Smith said this year’s offensive line is more adept at run blocking than the 2023 crew.

“In 2023, we had some variables of we had a lot of different guys moving in the lineup at different points in the season,” Smith said, “where (this year) you’ve seen consistency of guys being able to play together.

“I think when you get the consistency in the line group, that’s the big thing that allows for them to build the understanding of where guys are going to be, how they’re going to fit things, how they’re going to be able to play.”

The 2023 run game, led by Pro Bowl running back Raheem Mostert, Pro Bowl fullback Alec Ingold, and Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead, remains a gold standard of recent years for the franchise, and it has qualifications to suggest it remains better than the 2025 group.

The 2023 run game ranked No. 6 in the league at 135.8 yards per game; the 2025 Dolphins run game ranks No. 10 in the league at 123.8 yards per game. 

The 2023 run game averaged 5.1 yards per carry. The 2025 run game averaged 4.9 yards per carry. The 2023 run game had 27 touchdowns, tied for the league lead; the 2025 run game has 14 touchdowns, tied for 19th.

Still, a few things hint that the 2025 running game is better than 2023.

Achane, who was a rookie third-round pick in 2023, when he rushed for 800 yards, leads this year’s running game. He’s now a third-year veteran who ranks among the league’s best at his position.

Another measure of success for the Dolphins’ run game this year is that it’s effective despite opponents knowing that it’s coming.

“The art of the NFL is there’s always production that you can get on an opponent with some surprise,” McDaniel said, “but as the season progresses and you get into December and January, there’s not that many secrets.”

It should be pointed out that New England has a stout run defense. The Patriots are tied for No. 7 in the league at 104.1 yards per game.

Still, if the Dolphins can run the ball effectively they’ll give themselves a chance to win, and a good reason to consider themselves the franchise’s best run game of the McDaniel era.

According to national reports Thursday, it’s not a permanent role for Aikman, who currently is a color analyst for ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” after a playing career where he led the Dallas Cowboys to three Super Bowl titles.

The Dolphins fired longtime GM Chris Grier on Oct. 31. Champ Kelly has taken on the interim GM role, and he is expected to be among candidates in the search for owner Steve Ross, president and CEO Tom Garfinkel and the rest of the franchise’s brass.

Reports indicate Aikman was chosen in the advisory role because he will bring fresh, outside perspective. His closest tie to the Dolphins would be that he was coached by Jimmy Johnson with the Cowboys in the 1990s, and Johnson led the Dolphins later in the decade.

While Miami needs to find a permanent solution at GM, the franchise will also be making a decision on the fate of coach Mike McDaniel as the 2025 season comes to a close with Sunday’s game at the New England Patriots. McDaniel enters the finale with a 35-34 record, including playoffs.

Aikman made six Pro Bowls in his playing career in Dallas. He threw for 32,942 passing yards and 165 touchdowns as part of an all-time-great quarterback-running back-wide receiver trio with Emmitt Smith and Michael Irvin.

He was the No. 1 pick of the 1989 draft after a college career that spanned stints at Oklahoma and UCLA.

Since his retirement following the 2000 season, Aikman has been in the broadcast booth, first with Fox and then with ESPN since 2022.

The last time Aikman called a Dolphins game was Dec. 15, and he was highly and persistently critical of McDaniel for not operating the offense with urgency as the team trailed by multiple scores in the fourth quarter of a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow was arrested on domestic battery charges, which were later dropped. The Dolphins immediately placed Crow on administrative leave, later parting ways with the assistant coach, and needed someone to step up to lead his former unit.

Sean Ryan, who officially holds the title of senior defensive assistant, stepped up. According to defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, Ryan was the one to ask for the job, which might’ve saved Weaver from being spread thin by instructing outside linebackers on top of his coordinating duties.

“It was a tremendous experience,” said Ryan on a web conference with reporters Thursday, “and what made it great was the guys in the room, to be honest with you. They work incredibly hard. They care about their jobs. They do it really well. They’re attentive. They’re helpful.”

Ryan can be credited, in part, with edge rusher Bradley Chubb’s comeback from missing the 2024 season rehabbing a knee injury to having 8½ sacks going into Sunday’s finale against the New England Patriots. Along with that, 2024 first-round pick Chop Robinson has grown in his second season, and before Jaelan Phillips was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, he too was having a bounce-back year from back-to-back season-ending injuries in 2023 (Achilles) and 2024 (ACL).

The shift wasn’t without challenge, of course, given the suddenness of it all.

“It was on the fly,” Ryan said. “Learned a lot. But the way they show up for work every day, it made it just one of the experiences I’ll always relish in my coaching career, to be honest with you.”

What makes Ryan unique as a defensive assistant is, before joining the Dolphins in 2024, just about all his previous coaching experience was on the offensive side. Between college and the NFL, Ryan had coached quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers.

In the pros, he has been with the New York Giants, Houston Texans, Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers. With the Giants, he was part of two Super Bowl champs, and in Houston was where he connected with Weaver.

His offensive expertise allows him to help defensive players affect offensive players, especially the quarterback for his pass-rushers.

“I think it’s very helpful,” Ryan said. “You look at it and you know what has affected guys that you’ve coached, whether it be, like especially quarterbacks, a big part of our job is rushing those guys and making them uncomfortable. And I try to show them and talk to them about what the quarterback is dealing with and what he’s thinking and how everything that we do affects him and affects how he plays — not only within one play, but leading to the next play and the next series. I think it was pretty helpful in that way, being able to carry over the experience of having the quarterbacks for as long as I have.”

It was actually precisely the vision Weaver had in mind when he wanted Ryan on his defensive staff, bringing him on board after taking the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator role in 2024.

“(He) was brought in essentially to give me an offensive perspective while we’re calling defenses,” Weaver said. “So I had a guy who can see things through the lens of a quarterback.”

Additionally, Ryan did plenty of work with the outside linebackers last season while Crow was on the staff.

“I felt like I had a relationship with those guys,” Ryan said. “I felt like, for them, they would have some comfort with me being in there, because I had been in there. And I thought it would be a transition that would be good for them. And that was the first thing on my mind.”

Chubb’s season speaks for itself, as he reached an incentive in his contract for surpassing eight sacks on the season last Sunday. He has more money tied into whether the Dolphins finish with a top-20 scoring defense. They enter the final week ranked 21st.

Ryan said Robinson improved in taking on different blocks in the run game and built on his strength of rushing the passer by developing new counters.

As the season comes to a close, he also has veterans Cameron Goode and Quinton Bell, both special teams contributors who can step into a rotation on the edge, and has developed Derrick McLendon on the practice squad. McLendon may get elevated to the active roster for the second straight week and possibly remain active for the game this time.

While Broward County prosecutors elected not to pursue the domestic battery case against Crow, the NFL had its own investigation. The team officially parted ways with him in December.

The Dolphins are signing former North Dakota State star Cam Miller, poaching him off the Las Vegas Raiders practice squad, Miller’s agency announced Thursday.

Miller threw for 9,720 yards, 81 touchdowns and 19 interceptions for NDSU from 2020 through 2024. In his final college season, he broke Carson Wentz’s school records for completions (258) and passing yards (3,251) in a season, leading the program to a second FCS national championship with him behind center. He also led them to a title in 2021, when he started the final eight games.

He was a sixth-round draft pick of the Raiders, behind the endorsement of minority owner and all-time quarterback great Tom Brady. As Miller didn’t make Las Vegas’ roster, he had been stashed on the team’s practice squad during the season, leaving him vulnerable to get picked up on another team’s active roster.

A corresponding move in order to add Miller is not necessary, as the Dolphins have 52 players on their 53-man roster entering the week.

Now the fourth quarterback on the roster, with Quinn Ewers, Zach Wilson and Tua Tagovailoa, Miller doesn’t figure to factor into Miami’s finale at the New England Patriots on Sunday. The Dolphins are looking to develop him throughout the offseason.

“We liked him coming out of the draft,” Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith said in a Thursday web conference with reporters. “He showed great anticipation, conviction, toughness, had a really good understanding of their offense, had really good playing and timing and rhythm. So, he was a guy that we came out of the draft and through the draft process that we really liked, and we’re glad it kind of all worked out.”

Injury report

The Dolphins had outside linebacker Chop Robinson (concussion protocol) and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (ribs) return to practice Thursday. Both were limited participants in drills, according to the team’s injury report.

Miami still had running back De’Von Achane (shoulder), linebacker Jordyn Brooks (hamstring), safety Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf) and tight end Darren Waller (groin) miss practice Thursday.

Center Aaron Brewer (neck) and kicker Jason Sanders (right hip), like Robinson and Waddle, were limited.

The Patriots had defensive lineman Christian Barmore and tight end Hunter Henry return to a limited practice Thursday but still don’t have linebackers Robert Spillane (ankle) and Harold Landry (knee), defensive lineman Khyiris Tonga (foot), fullback Jack Westover (ankle) and guard Jared Wilson (concussion protocol) missing practice.

Special teams nuggets

As Sanders attempts to make his return from injured reserve with one last chance in the 2025 season, special teams coordinator Craig Aukerman said he will go through the same process of the practice week before a decision is made ahead of game day against the Patriots.

“He’s progressing well, was great to have him out on the field and doing a bunch of different things,” said Aukerman, who didn’t want to speculate about the future of the kicker position for the franchise beyond this season as Riley Patterson has had a strong season filling in for Sanders.

Aukerman detailed rookie defensive tackle Zeek Biggers’ blocked field goal in last Sunday’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

“One, it’s studying the film knowing we might see something in particular with a guard or a tackle,” Aukerman said, “and then we’re always telling those guys that we’re trying to get as much knock-back as we possibly can whether it be on a guard or tackle. Zeek has done it pretty much throughout his career in college.”

Biggers had four blocked field goals in college with Georgia Tech.

Aukerman touched on punter Jake Bailey’s big hit on a punt returner to shove him out of bounds last time out.

“We don’t want Jake to make a bunch of tackles, that’s for sure,” Aukerman said, laughing. “But Jake is obviously a very proud player that is going to do whatever he can to help the team win and if he does have to go make a tackle on punt team that’s what he’s going to do.”

The hit near the Dolphins sideline pumped up several Miami defenders.

— Dolphins wide receivers coach Robert Prince said wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who suffered a scary knee injury back in late September, has been around the building and fellow receivers here and there throughout his rehab, generally in good spirits.

“I think it’s a reminder to be violently present in everything you do,” fullback Alec Ingold said. “I think it’s a reminder to lock in on the moment. That’s kind of his tool that he’s been using this year.”

McDaniel, who is thought to be fighting for his job, might be doing his best coaching this season. The baseball bat is symbolic of McDaniel’s ability to breathe life into his message to players, it’s an example of transforming an idea into a tangible instrument.

Apparently it’s working.

Granted, the Dolphins (7-9) are assured of their second consecutive losing season. But they’ve won six of their last nine games.

The way left tackle Patrick Paul recalls things, the bat appeared out of nowhere around midseason, around the time the Dolphins went from 1-6 to 2-7 and then 3-7, 4-7 and so on.

“At some point in the season, I just saw him with a bat, and I was like, ‘Alright,’ ” Paul said with mild curiosity. “…but now it does make sense. It’s like, ‘We’re still in this, we’re fine.’ ”

The baseball bat gets the job done on a few levels.

“I think the thing about it is the tone it sets,” Paul said. “It’s like we’re bringing weapons. And we’re coming for a fight. I think it’s rallying us and showing us that we’re in a fight. So I think it’s symbolizing the fight.”

Sometimes McDaniel will give the bat to a player.

Last week outside linebacker Derrick McClendon proudly paraded it on the field for pregame warmups before the Tampa Bay game at Hard Rock Stadium. He did the same for the New York Jets game at MetLife Stadium.

“I do know there’s been multiple bats,” Ingold said, “and guys get their hands on it and they start walking around with it. I think it’s cool that guys bought into it, too. 

“It’s a baseball bat, but at the same time it’s a good reminder for everyone. And with dudes picking it up and walking around the locker room, it’s a cool deal.”

Before we go further, let’s not exaggerate the role the bat has played in the Dolphins’ resurgence in the second half of the season. And let’s not pretend it makes McDaniel into some magical character.

After all, no one will ever confuse McDaniel with Sheriff Buford Pusser from the movie “Walking Tall.”

To our knowledge, McDaniel has never used the bat for destructive purposes and then quoted Principal Joe Clark, actor Morgan Freeman’s character from the movie “Lean on Me” — “They used to call me crazy Joe. Well, now they call me batman.”

And we don’t think McDaniel is trying to channel his inner President Theodore Roosevelt — “Walk softly and carry a big stick.”

Truth be told, not every player is into the baseball bat. They’ve all seen it. But players have varying degrees of interest.

“I couldn’t tell you anything about it,” wide receiver Jaylen Waddle said.

Linebacker Jordyn Brooks showed slightly more intrigue.

“I really don’t know what it means,” Brooks said. “I think it’s like a mentality thing. To be honest, I never really asked about it.”

Offensive lineman Daniel Brunskill gets it, but it’s not exactly his style.

“It doesn’t really do anything for me,” he said. “I’m just more into the football stuff. But I get it for some guys.

“It’s like, ‘Hey, we’re going to crack some kneecaps, go bust some a–,’ and it kind of just brings a mentality. So some guys definitely get fired up by that.”

But the bat is important. Players say the bat also symbolizes McDaniel’s focus on the job directly ahead of him — winning the next game on the schedule — while ignoring all the outside noise about his job security.

Players say in that regard, McDaniel has been unflappable.

“I would say he’s been the same him throughout the season,” outside linebacker Bradley Chubb said. “When we were at a point where we needed for sure to win some games, a sense of urgency came about. He had a sense of urgency all season, you just saw it cranked up a little bit. Talking about his personality and how he approaches every day, I feel like it’s been the same.”

There’s a chance that Sunday’s season finale at New England is McDaniel’s last game as Dolphins coach. But McDaniel, who has a so-so 35-32 (.522) record in four seasons, is putting up a fight for his job. Players are offering their support.

“Every day he comes in with the same approach regardless, and that’s to coach us to win football games,” Paul said. “He’s a great coach. If there is any pressure, and I don’t think there is, he’s a great coach so there shouldn’t be.”

And they’re acknowledging the significance of the baseball bat.

“I think he’s shown he’s willing to do whatever it takes to galvanize the crew,” Ingold said.

When the Dolphins run: Miami running back De’Von Achane, entering with 1,350 yards on the ground, can climb to No. 2 on the franchise’s single-season rushing yards list with 23 yards Sunday and could become the Dolphins’ second 1,400-yard rusher (Ricky Williams) with 50. Achane, dealing with an ailing shoulder this week, has been complemented of late by Jaylen Wright, who has at least 35 rushing yards in three of his past four outings.

The Dolphins’ run game overall, a staple of the team’s success in the second half of the season, has elevated itself to No. 10 in the league. The Patriots also have a top-10 run defense, at No. 8. They swarm to the ball, with linebackers Christian Elliss, Robert Spillane and Jack Gibbens, and defensive lineman Milton Williams could return for them this week. Dolphins center Aaron Brewer is a key to their rushing attack and would present a plus if he’s back after missing last Sunday’s win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Edge: Even

When the Patriots run: New England rookie running back TreVeyon Henderson is a much bigger part of the offense now than he was when these two teams met in Week 2. He only got three carries then. Now, he leads the Patriots’ rushing attack with 858 yards and a 5.1 average this season. He brings speed in the backfield, while Rhamondre Stevenson is a bulldozer. It’s a strong 1-2 punch to form the league’s No. 13 rushing offense, which also has quarterback Drake Maye a threat to run.

Stopping the run is critical for the Dolphins. They’re 5-0 when they hold an opponent under 100 rushing yards. Miami is coming off its second-best performance against the run this season, limiting the Buccaneers to 53 rushing yards. Rookie defensive tackle Kenneth Grant had his highest-graded performance by Pro Football Focus in the Bucs game. The availability of linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who enters Week 18 with a league lead in tackles, goes a long way in this effort. See if the Patriots try to run right plenty, behind guard Mike Onwenu and tackle Morgan Moses. Edge: Even

When the Dolphins pass: It’s start No. 3 for rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers. He just showed why he was the one coach Mike McDaniel went to upon benching Tua Tagovailoa two weeks ago, with a 14-of-22 performance for 172 yards and two touchdowns without an interception. Ewers operated the offense well, made plays when they presented themselves and even scrambled for a key first down late.

He’s had two home games under his belt and now has to face a top-10 pass defense in his first road start in the cold. Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis form a tough boundary cornerback duo, and safety Jaylinn Hawkins and nickel Marcus Jones are tied for the team lead with three interceptions. Top Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is banged up this week with ailing ribs after being held without a catch against Tampa Bay. Ewers has been looking to some of the pass-catchers he has chemistry with from the scout team earlier this season, like tight end Greg Dulcich and undrafted rookie wide receiver Theo Wease, a duo which caught his two touchdowns.

Harold Landry, who always seems to have his best games against the Dolphins, leads the Patriots’ pass rush with 8 1/2 sacks, but his status is up in the air after missing last Sunday’s game against the Jets. Opposite him is K’Lavon Chaisson (6 1/2 sacks), so that’s the matchup for Dolphins left tackle Patrick Paul and right tackle Austin Jackson. Ewers took a couple of sacks last time out after he didn’t in his first start. Edge: Patriots

When the Patriots pass: Maye is putting together an MVP-caliber season, leading the league with a 71.7 completion percentage while throwing for 4,203 yards, 30 touchdowns and just eight interceptions. It’s got to be frustrating for Dolphins fans to see him in this division playing at this level after the Patriots had 20 years of Tom Brady, all while Josh Allen is in Buffalo and the Dolphins are likely in the process of parting ways with Tagovailoa.

His cast of pass-catchers are led by veteran Stefon Diggs, who enters with 970 receiving yards. Tight end Hunter Henry has a team-high seven touchdown catches. Mack Hollins went on IR recently, but fellow wideout Kayshon Boutte has had a breakout season of 527 receiving yards and six touchdowns. The Dolphins secondary was better last week after getting torched by Joe Burrow the previous game. Jack Jones has been inconsistent at cornerback on one side, but Rasul Douglas has been solid on the other. Rookie cornerback Jason Marshall Jr. was back in the nickel role in the Bucs game and came down with his first interception. Safety Ashtyn Davis had his first with the Dolphins, as Minkah Fitzpatrick’s status is in doubt with the calf injury that has cost him the past two games.

Dolphins edge rusher Bradley Chubb had a two-sack game against the Bucs that included a strip-sack on Baker Mayfield that earned him some contract incentives. He leads Miami with 8 1/2 sacks and may get a matchup with New England rookie left tackle and top draft pick Will Campbell if he’s able to return this week from IR. Edge: Patriots

Special teams: Last time these teams faced off in Week 2, Malik Washington returned a punt for a touchdown and, on the ensuing kickoff, Antonio Gibson took it back for the Patriots. New England has also returned two punts for touchdowns, and that franchise puts next-level emphasis on special teams, with a player like Brenden Schooler on the unit.

Despite Dolphins kicker Riley Patterson being more accurate than Patriots rookie and Miami alum Andy Borregales this season and punter Jake Bailey holding an edge on New England’s Bryce Baringer, you got to go with the Pats here overall. But let’s also shout out rookie defensive tackle Zeek Biggers for his pivotal blocked field goal vs. the Bucs. Edge: Patriots

Intangibles: The Dolphins are playing for pride, while the Patriots have a shot at the No. 1 seed. Even if the Chargers won’t comply with New England by putting forth their starters against the Denver Broncos, the Patriots have to win to stave off Jacksonville Jaguars for the No. 2 seed, which means home-field in a divisional-round matchup.

Meanwhile, coach Mike Vrabel is 2-0 against Mike McDaniel, and it’s a cold-weather game in Foxborough late in the season while Miami is playing a lot of youth. Edge: Patriots

PREDICTION: Patriots 27, Dolphins 17

Dolphins Deep Dive: Prediction time — can Miami spoil Patriots’ playoff seeding? | VIDEO

The last of the three starts the Dolphins (7-9) have to evaluate him going into the offseason comes Sunday in the team’s finale against the Patriots in New England (13-3).

As many around the organization are bound to leave their final, lasting impression on their 2025 season, Ewers enters 1-1. His win last Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offers some optimism toward his potential, and his loss, albeit a blowout 45-21 defeat against the Cincinnati Bengals, didn’t necessarily feel like it was very much on his play.

If Ewers’ three-game sample size suffices, he can be viewed, in 2026, as someone capable of competing for the starting role with a fringe-starter caliber outside quarterback who may be brought in, if Tagovailoa and backup Zach Wilson aren’t brought back.

Ask Ewers what he thinks about his prospects as a future full-time starter in the NFL, he’s not taking the bait. He’s locked in on the one game in front of him to finish out the season strong.

“It’d be great to end the season on a high note, for sure,” Ewers said. “I think that’s super important for everybody in this building, not only myself. But just continue to play how I’m playing, keep taking care of the football, converting on third down and scoring in the red zone.”

You can’t blame Ewers for not worrying about the big picture for him when he has an immediate task in front of him. He realizes he’s living his dream, starting NFL games, but he still hasn’t been able to fully appreciate it.

“When you’re in the mix of everything, in the middle of game-planning and trying to get ready for the week, you don’t really take a step back and kind of realize what’s really going on,” Ewers said.

“And it’s definitely a dream come true for me to be in the shoes that I’m in right now, but it also hasn’t felt like I’ve had that time to really step back and kind of look at what’s going on and whatnot. But at the end of the day, I’m not too worried about that, because I’m just trying to keep instilling confidence in my teammates and continuing to grow within the position and within the team.”

Coach Mike McDaniel, who made the move two weeks ago to shift from former franchise quarterback Tagovailoa to the rookie seventh-round pick before season’s end, offered insight on where Ewers’ upside stands.

“Observing someone handle what it is to be a starting quarterback in the NFL season,” McDaniel said. “I know exactly what that is, and I’ve seen guys perform very well in practice and things change a little bit with the heat of gameplay. To see how natural playing the position of quarterback is to him, how I see some of his best throws and plays in game, it gives you a chance.

“I think the way he sees the field and how he fearlessly lives in the pocket, I think that’s an optimistic — that’s the bar for NFL quarterback play. You have to be able to see the field and stand in there and make plays from the pocket. But then, when nothing’s there, kind of like he did at the end of the game on the third-and-3, you got to be able to take off and convert a first down.”

Ewers, in a similar offense to the one he ran in college at Texas, has operated the complexities of it well, while bringing some zip on passes and mobility that may be absent from Tagovailoa’s game.

“The bottom line,” McDaniel said, “measurables that end up attributing success or failure to all quarterbacks each and every year, I know those things, in particular, are hard to come by, hard to do, and give you a chance to continue to improve and have your best football ahead of you, not behind you.”

What stands out to left tackle Patrick Paul about Ewers: “His confidence. He’s a confident quarterback. He stays poised in the pocket. He can make unbelievable throws.”

In order to put his best foot forward in that finale, Ewers will have to deal with temperatures that are forecasted to be in the 20s in Foxborough. The Texas product, who played college football for the Texas Longhorns and now plays for South Florida’s professional team, hasn’t had much exposure to cold environments.

The coldest game Ewers played with Texas was at Kansas, where the temperatures were in the 30s. He handled that well in a 55-14 win over the Jayhawks, without wearing sleeves or tights, he recalled.

“It’s what comes with the sport when you play in the northeast,” Ewers said.

He won’t wear gloves as he looks to throw the ball around at Gillette Stadium.

“I think he has the ability to lead this team with coordinated and cohesive play from his teammates,” McDaniel said. “I think he can lead this team to victory against the opponent in front of us, and I think his game continues to grow.

“It’s 2 for 2, and so we’re trying to see 3 for 3.”