Will the Miami Dolphins Dominate the AFC East?

The AFC East has long been one of the NFL’s most competitive divisions, with historic rivalries and perennial playoff contenders keeping the race tight year after year. But in 2024, the Miami Dolphins have emerged as the clear front-runner, boasting a balanced roster, a top-tier coaching staff, and a 6-2 record through the first half of the season—two games ahead of their closest divisional rivals, the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots. Yet “domination” in the AFC East requires more than just a regular-season lead; it means consistently outperforming rivals, winning key matchups, and setting a standard that makes the division feel like Miami’s to lose. Will the Miami Dolphins Dominate the AFC East? explores the factors that could propel the Dolphins to divisional supremacy, from their on-field talent to their ability to exploit opponents’ weaknesses, while also examining the challenges that could prevent them from establishing long-term control. By analyzing their current form, divisional dynamics, and historical context, we can assess whether this Dolphins squad is poised to become the AFC East’s new powerhouse.

At the core of the Dolphins’ potential to dominate the AFC East is their elite offense, which has proven capable of overwhelming divisional defenses and winning high-stakes matchups. Will the Miami Dolphins Dominate the AFC East? must start here, as offensive firepower has long been the key to controlling the division. Led by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa—who ranks first in the AFC in passer rating (118.5) and completion percentage (71.2)—the Dolphins’ offense averages 30.1 points per game against AFC East opponents this season, including a 40-17 rout of the New York Jets and a 27-24 overtime win over the Bills. Tagovailoa’s chemistry with wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle is particularly problematic for divisional defenses: Hill has averaged 120 receiving yards per game against AFC East teams in 2024, while Waddle has scored 5 touchdowns in those matchups. The Dolphins also boast a balanced run game, with Raheem Mostert rushing for 450 yards and 6 touchdowns against divisional rivals—keeping defenses from solely focusing on the passing attack. What sets this offense apart from past Dolphins units is its consistency: they’ve scored 24+ points in every AFC East game this season, a level of reliability that makes them tough to beat. For the Dolphins to dominate, this offense must keep performing at this level—and early signs suggest it can.

Another critical factor in the Dolphins’ quest to dominate the AFC East is their improved defense, which has gone from a liability to a strength and now has the ability to shut down divisional opponents’ key playmakers. Will the Miami Dolphins Dominate the AFC East? wouldn’t be complete without highlighting this defensive transformation, as the AFC East’s top teams (like the Bills and Patriots) have long relied on strong defenses to win division titles. Under coordinator Vic Fangio, the Dolphins’ defense has held AFC East opponents to an average of 18.3 points per game in 2024—down from 26.5 points per game against the division last season. They’ve been particularly effective against the run, limiting Bills running back James Cook to just 42 yards in their Week 8 matchup and holding the Patriots to 78 rushing yards in Week 6. The pass rush, led by Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb, has also made its mark: they’ve combined for 8 sacks against AFC East quarterbacks, including 3 sacks of Bills quarterback Josh Allen in their two matchups. The secondary, once a weakness, has intercepted 5 passes against divisional opponents, with cornerback Xavien Howard picking off Allen twice in Week 8. For the Dolphins to dominate, their defense must continue to neutralize the division’s top offensive threats—and their recent performance suggests they’re up to the task.

A key advantage the Dolphins have in their bid to dominate the AFC East is the relative weakness of their divisional rivals in 2024, as both the Bills and Patriots have struggled with injuries and inconsistency. Will the Miami Dolphins Dominate the AFC East? must include this factor, as domination often depends as much on opponents’ flaws as on a team’s own strengths. The Bills, long the Dolphins’ biggest divisional threat, have been hampered by injuries to key players: wide receiver Stefon Diggs missed three games with a knee injury, and their offensive line has been decimated by injuries, leading to Allen being sacked 32 times this season (the third-most in the NFL). The Patriots, meanwhile, have struggled with a young quarterback in Mac Jones, who has thrown 9 interceptions and been benched twice this season, and their defense has dropped from 7th in total defense last season to 18th in 2024. The Jets, the division’s fourth team, have shown flashes of potential but remain inconsistent, with their offense ranking 25th in points per game. This weakness among rivals has given the Dolphins a chance to build a comfortable lead in the division—and if the Bills and Patriots can’t fix their issues, the Dolphins could win the AFC East by four or more games. As former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah noted, “The Dolphins are playing well, but they’re also benefiting from a division that’s not as strong as it was in recent years. That combination makes domination a real possibility.”

The Dolphins’ ability to dominate the AFC East also depends on their strong performance in divisional home games, as winning at home has long been a cornerstone of divisional control in the NFL. Will the Miami Dolphins Dominate the AFC East? wouldn’t be complete without exploring this, as home-field advantage can swing key matchups and help a team build momentum. The Dolphins have been nearly unbeatable at Hard Rock Stadium against AFC East opponents in 2024, winning all three of their home divisional games by an average of 16 points. Their home crowd has played a significant role, creating a loud atmosphere that has disrupted opponents’ offensive timing—Allen was called for three false starts in the Bills’ Week 8 visit to Miami, and the Patriots committed four turnovers in their Week 6 trip. The Dolphins’ offense has also thrived at home against the division, averaging 34 points per game in those matchups, compared to 26 points per game in away divisional games. If the Dolphins can maintain their home dominance—they have two more home divisional games left against the Jets and Patriots—they’ll be well on their way to controlling the AFC East. As head coach Mike McDaniel said, “Winning at home against your division is non-negotiable if you want to be a champion. Our fans have been amazing, and they’ve helped us create a fortress here. We need to keep that going.”

Finally, the Dolphins’ ability to dominate the AFC East will depend on their ability to avoid a late-season slump, as divisional races often tighten in December and January. Will the Miami Dolphins Dominate the AFC East? ultimately comes down to this, as even the best teams can falter down the stretch. The Dolphins have a tough late-season schedule, with road games against the Bills (Week 15) and Patriots (Week 17), and a home game against the Jets (Week 13). If they can win those games—especially the Week 15 matchup against the Bills, which could decide the division—they’ll likely wrap up the AFC East title early and avoid a tense finish. However, if they struggle down the stretch, the Bills could make a run: Buffalo has a history of late-season surges, winning their final four games in 2022 to claim the division title. The Dolphins also need to stay healthy, as injuries to key players like Tagovailoa or Hill could derail their momentum. As NFL analyst Adam Schefter noted, “The Dolphins have the talent to dominate the AFC East, but the question is whether they can stay focused and healthy for the next two months. If they can, they’ll be the clear kings of the division. If not, the door could open for the Bills.” For now, though, the Dolphins are in the driver’s seat—and all signs point to them being the AFC East’s dominant team in 2024.