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Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

It seemed like it was only yesterday that the Miami Dolphins were beginning their 2014 season.

We're now eight games into said season, one that looks like a potential miracle season, albeit one that has taken three detours into the depths of football hell.

Miami is 5-3 with eight games left, which is the situation anyone would want to be in. It's tied with the Buffalo Bills for second place in the division, yet possesses a 4-2 record within the AFC and is 1.5 games behind the New England Patriots for first (they also own the head-to-head tiebreaker over New England).

Miami's victories have come against the dregs of the league (Oakland, Jacksonville), two presumed contenders caught in a free-fall (Chicago, San Diego) and a victory over the league's elite (New England).

Miami's three losses have come against teams who are combined 15-9 (Buffalo, Kansas City and Green Bay) making them pseudo-acceptable losses (I say pseudo because no loss is acceptable) against three teams that range from near-elite to pretty darn good.

Really with a resume like that, there shouldn't be too much to complain about. Miami hasn't lost a game it was really supposed to win based on every team's record at this point, and in the process of getting to 5-3, it's outscored its opponents by 60.

That's the same scoring margin as the 6-2 Denver Broncos, and only four teams are ahead of Miami in that department.

The reason for Miami's success has been the execution of the players when on the field, and today we will honor said players with our 2014 midseason awards.

These awards have been decided on by me. Not only do they include the usual awards (MVP, Offensive, Defensive and Special Teams Players of the Year, the Rookies of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year), but also a couple of special awards honoring the most improved non-rookies, the best individual performance in one game, and the best game of the year.

Come along and have a look, and then debate my choices in the comments section below.