Is there a way to get better match-made games?

I'll explain this the best I can. I'm not sure if this is discussed often. Over the years I've noticed that you get better matchups and worse ones. On the enemy team and with your own as well. This affects the outcome of the game obviously. If you have some AFK issues from lag or rant too much, it gives you similar type people for a few games after. Has anybody found a way to coax the system into giving you better games? When promos come around it really finds especially hard games usually. I play all lanes rather well. (I think passably at least, usually better or equal to my teammates) I've tried playing around different lanes so perhaps it couldn't guess at what I was doing and counter me with someone who plays my counter constantly. I've tried playing one lane a lot to get zen but then it progressively brings harder and harder games. I've tried friending and grouping with people in hopes I'd be rewarded by a game that encourages group play. I've tried more than a few things.

I've climbed one rank from Iron to bronze. I know pretty low, But I've been in bronze since I started the game, but I've improved quite a bit. Is there actually a way to climb out? I'd be happy to see silver just to know progression is possible. I play much better than I did before after 8 years (level 320 and mastery 392) and I just can't seem to break through the games that give me so many AFK's, griefers and smurfies on the other side obviously there to knock me down.

I've been trying to figure it out on my own for a while. Maybe the community has a thought on the matter? Has anybody found a trick that makes the matchmaking gods smile down upon you? I guess I could just make another account and see where it places me? I have a lot of skins and almost all the champs. I'd hate to take the time to do that but I guess in the end it would tell me if I'm just truly bad?

Alright, thx for hearing me out.