State of the 2023 Miami Dolphins: Can Tua Tagovailoa lead deep playoff run?

Where does your squad stand in 2023? Adam Rank sets the table by providing a State of the Franchise look at all 32 teams, zeroing in on the key figures to watch and setting the stakes for the season to come.

Members of the Dolphins organization, Dolphins fans around the world and those who are still quoting Ace Ventura: Pet Detective to this day ...

The Dolphins' 2022 season was a mixed bag, incorporating both a tremendous winning streak and a tremendous losing streak. But they did make a run to the playoffs. After a few tweaks and a big trade, are they ready to make an even bigger push? Good question. But before we look forward, it's important that we take a look back.

One high from last season: The moment they made the postseason. After starting 8-3, the Dolphins went on a five-game skid, dropping to 8-8 ahead of the regular-season finale against the Jets. They won, 11-6 (thanks to a 50-yard kick by Jason Sanders to break a 6-6 tie and a safety on the final play of the game), but they still wouldn't qualify for the playoffs unless the Bills beat the Patriots. When the Bills won, the video board read, "We're in!" I'm a jaded sports fan, and I still have to acknowledge that was pretty cool.

One low from last season: Falling to the Bills in the playoffs. Not that there is any shame in losing in frigid Orchard Park. As in the previous week against the Jets, Miami had to turn to third-string QB Skylar Thompson -- and Mike McDaniel and Co. still had a chance to win, taking a 24-20 lead in the third quarter on a 5-yard touchdown return on a fumble by Zach Sieler. I mean, getting blown out is one thing, but to be so close in a winnable game ... that hurts.

Quarterback: Tua Tagovailoa. My fellow lefty was amazing last season.