MIAMI DOLPHINS (10-6)

Projected 2021 win total: 9

LAST YEAR: The Dolphins missed the playoffs for a fourth consecutive season and are still without a postseason victory since 2000. But in Year 2 under coach Brian Flores, they doubled the win total and improved the point differential by 254. Rookie Tua Tagovailoa took over at quarterback at midseason and went 6-3 as the starter, but Flores benched him in two games. After allowing a franchiserecord 494 points in 2019, Miami led the NFL in scoring defense entering Week 17. But a 56-26 loss at Buffalo in the finale cost the Dolphins a postseason spot and was a brutal backslide to end what had been a season of progress.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: WR Will

Fuller, WR Jaylen Waddle, C Matt Skura, QB Jacoby Brissett, DT Adam Butler, RB Malcolm Brown, DE Jaelan Phillips, OL Jermaine Eluemunor, LB Benardrick McKinney, OL Jermaine EluemunorTE/ FB Cethan Carter, CB Justin Coleman, WR Robert Foster, DB Jason McCourty, S Jevon Holland, T Liam Eichenberg, NT John Jenkins, TE Hunter Long, OL D.J. Fluker, P Michael Palardy.

IMPORTANT LOSSES: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, S Bobby McCain, LB Kyle Van Noy, C Ted Karras, DE Shaq Lawson, DT Davon Godchaux, RB Matt Breida, T Julien Davenport, G Ereck Flowers, LB Kamu Grugier-Hill, P Matt Haack.

NOTES: Eric Studesville and George Godsey will team to replace offensive coordinator Chan Gailey, who departed after one season. Tagovailoa must get acclimated to their play calling while he also bonds with new targets Will Fuller, top draft pick Jaylen Waddle and Robert Foster. EXPECTATIONS: For years the Dolphins chased the Patriots in AFC East. Now they’re chasing the Bills, and the 2020 finale showed there’s plenty of ground to make up. Much depends on the progress of Tagovailoa. His WR corps has been upgraded, but pass protection could be an issue, and Miami did little in the offseason to improve a ground game that ranked fourth worst in yards per carry last year.