Dolphins cope with NFL’s longest playoff win drought after Lions’ victory

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland watched the Detroit Lions win their first playoff game in 32 years on Sunday night.

And reality set in.

The Dolphins have a new distinction: They own the NFL’s longest playoff win drought at 23 seasons.

“It’s terrible. I want to win. I just watched Detroit win last night. Shout out to them, but damn,” Holland said.

“Now we’re the only team. It’s trash.”

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The Dolphins’ season came to an end Saturday night in the fourth-coldest playoff game in NFL history with a 26-7 loss to Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid and the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs.

They have made the postseason in each of the last two seasons under second-year coach Mike McDaniel. So, there’s been some progress for Miami to hang its hat on.

But the Dolphins have reached the playoffs just six times this millennium. And they’ve lost each game. Miami’s last playoff win was in 2000.

“I’ve been here two years and I still carry that burden of the 23 years drought,” Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead said.

“We understand the hardship from the fan base and not seeing success, not seeing those big victories. And we wear that, too.”

Dolphins players gathered one last time in their locker room on Monday, exchanging signatures on jerseys and helmets to commemorate their last day together.

After an 11-win season, the Dolphins lost the No. 1 seed to the Baltimore Ravens, lost the AFC East to the Buffalo Bills and had their season end against the Chiefs, all in the final three games.

But there was certainly a feeling of “what if?” as players with crutches as well as knee and arm braces maneuvered through the locker room.

Dolphins edge rusher Bradley Chubb stood in a hallway hunched over on crutches with a heavy brace around his surgically repaired knee.

Center Connor Williams walked in the locker room had his own set of crutches for his surgically repaired knee.

Edge rusher Jaelan Philips wasn’t far behind, walking with one crutch as he improves from an Achilles tear.

Linebacker Jerome Baker walked into the locker room with his right arm in a sling after dislocating his wrist.

There were many other injured Dolphins players crutching or rolling through the locker room on Miami’s final day together.

“People get hurt and sadly it’s the reality of the NFL,” Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler said. “It’s really sucks to see that many guys you care about, that play next to me, in such bad situations.”

The Dolphins offseason will be centered on quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s potential contract extension, how Miami will maneuver being $40 million over the salary cap, and their quest to win the AFC East for the first time since 2008 and end their playoff win drought.