2021 NFL Power Rankings: Miami Dolphins

Throughout the 2021 NFL season, we will compile a consensus NFL Power Rankings that averages the rankings of all 32 NFL teams.

Here is where the Miami Dolphins rank in terms of average, best and worst:

Average ranking: 17.4 (17th)
Best ranking: 13 (NFL.com)
Worst ranking: 20 (Multiple)

Below you will find a Week 16 roundup for the Dolphins in our consensus 2021 NFL Power Rankings.

ESPN -- Rank: 16

How hot is Brian Flores' seat: 2. Cool seat

Flores' seat would've been much hotter were it not for the team's recent six-game winning streak that has catapulted Miami back into playoff contention. Even if the Dolphins lose out from here, it's unlikely Flores goes anywhere. Next season, however, his seat will heat up fast if they get off to another slow start for the third season in a row. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

NFL.com -- Rank: 13

On Sunday, the Dolphins became just the second team in NFL history to get to 7-7 after starting a season 1-7. So why are we still struggling to take this team seriously in the muddled AFC? Much of that goes back to a ridiculously favorable schedule: Miami's last five opponents (covering six games) have a combined record of 26-58. A prime-time win over the Ravens stands out, but the streak also includes victories over the Texans, Panthers, Giants and Jets (twice!). We'll learn a lot more about the Dolphins over their final three weeks as the schedule tightens up considerably. Sunday's matchup against the Saints will function as close to a playoff game for both teams.

CBS Sports -- Rank: 20

With six straight victories, they are in the playoff hunt. They made it interesting against the Jets and have to play better than they did in that game this week against the Saints.

USA Today -- Rank: 20

They've leveled back to .500 after their 1-7 start, mostly fattening up on patsies. Currently the AFC's 11th-place team, Miami won't face another team with a losing record.

The Athletic -- Rank: 18

Our gift to you: A dynamic running back. Duke Johnson's first start for the Dolphins was a memorable one. He rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's victory against the Jets, the first 100-yard rushing performance of the seventh-year veteran's career. But a game like that has been more exception than rule for Miami's 31st-ranked rushing offense. How about a clone of Javonte Williams, the electric running back taken by the Broncos with the 35th pick in last spring's draft, one spot ahead of the Dolphins' selection? Tua Tagovailoa's play-action game could blossom with a complementary player like that.

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