Not many teams could survive having their locker room blown to smithereens out of nowhere in the middle of a season, but the Dolphins certainly have.
Miami isn’t just surviving the Jonathan Martin controversy, either. The Fish are thriving.
Joe Philbin’s team moves up one spot to No. 13 in The Post’s NFL Power Rankings in the wake of its third consecutive victory and fourth in six games since Martin abruptly left the team and accused offensive-line mate Richie Incognito of bullying him.
It’s been a remarkable rebound, considering most teams would have caved in the wake of such an all-consuming controversy that attracted media attention from around the world.
But the Dolphins have done anything but wilt, and in the wake of Sunday’s 24-20 win over the Patriots, they are 8-6 and firmly in control of their playoff destiny. If Miami wins its final two games over the Bills and Jets, it’s going to the postseason for the first time since 2008.
The key has been the continued (and impressive) maturation of quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who has thrown eight touchdown passes and just two interceptions during the Dolphins’ three-game win streak.
If Tannehill stays on that track and the Dolphins keep getting timely contributions from the defense, they will be a team no one wants to face in the playoffs.
(Last week’s ranking in parentheses)
1. Seahawks (2): They looked against the Giants like a team ready to come back to the Meadowlands in seven weeks.
2. Broncos (1): So the questions about Peyton in cold weather weren’t answered, after all …
3. Chiefs (5): 101 points the past two games. That’ll work.
4. Panthers (8): Allowing only 15 points a game.
5. 49ers (6): They’re getting hot at the right time with four wins in a row.
6. Patriots (3): Their season looks a lot more fragile than it did two weeks ago.
7. Saints (4): Can an entire team be diagnosed with split-personality disorder?
8. Cardinals (10): Their closing run is the Seahawks and 49ers. Good luck with that, guys.
9. Bengals (7): What a ridiculous and inexcusable no-show that was in Pittsburgh.
10. Colts (11): They still have the look of a playoff one-and-done.
11. Bears (12): Their quarterback decision after this season is going to be fascinating.
12. Ravens (13): Battling the Dolphins and Packers for the title of “NFL’s Most Resilient Team.”
13. Dolphins (14): See above.
14. Eagles (9): The fallout from DeSean Jackson’s sideline meltdown in Minnesota bears watching.
15. Packers (17): Who needs Aaron Rodgers? Kidding!
16. Chargers (18): The win in Denver was no fluke. This team is on the rise.
17. Lions (15): Matthew Stafford’s megabucks extension is looking worse by the day.
18. Cowboys (16): “Romo’d” is now officially a verb.
19. Steelers (21): What was with all of the empty seats Sunday night, Pittsburgh?
20. Rams (22): Probably headed for 7-9, which is about par for the course with Jeff Fisher.
21. Jets (19): Missing the playoffs three years in a row for the first time since the Coslet-Carroll-Kotite era can’t be good for Rex’s job security.
22. Bills (28): Do they draft a quarterback early again next spring?
23. Titans (23): Losers of five of their past six, but finish with the Jaguars and Texans.
24. Giants (20): Considering their awful effort recently, maybe Coughlin shouldn’t be bulletproof with ownership.
25. Vikings (29): Surprisingly dangerous for a 4-9-1 team. Just ask the Eagles.
26. Buccaneers (24): A 4-12 finish looks likely, yet Greg Schiano reportedly is safe. Amazing.
27. Falcons (30): How do you force seven turnovers and only win by a point?
28. Jaguars (25): They still have a decent chance to finish 6-10 after an 0-8 start.
29. Raiders (26): It’s always Groundhog Day with this franchise.
30. Browns (27): Wasn’t defense supposed to be this team’s one strength?
31. Redskins (31): At least their press conferences are still interesting.
32. Texans (32): The No. 1 pick still looks like a lock.