By some means, a way, with only one week to go within the 2024 NFL common season, the Miami Dolphins stay alive for the ultimate playoff spot within the American Soccer Convention after beginning the season with a 2-6 file.
Miami took care of enterprise with out their beginning quarterback, downing the Cleveland Browns by a rating of 20-3 whereas soaking within the rain of a late December afternoon in Cuyahoga County.
Earlier than the Dolphins took the sphere, they wanted a number of optimistic outcomes to stay alive for a possible postseason berth. On Saturday, the Cincinnati Bengals took care of enterprise — defeating the Denver Broncos in thrilling extra time style. Then in the course of the early slate on Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts — additionally beginning their backup quarterback in Joe Flacco — had been miraculously defeated by Drew Lock and the lowly New York Giants.
With just one week to go, the Dolphins want simply two issues to occur if they’re to inexplicably make the NFL Playoffs — they want a victory on the highway in opposition to the New York Jets and so they want one other Broncos loss, this time to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs who will doubtless be beginning second stringers in that contest.
We’ll control these issues this upcoming weekend, however for now, we’ll have a look again on the good, dangerous and ugly from the Dolphins highway thrashing of the Cleveland Browns.
GOOD
Dolphins might have solved their backup quarterback drawback
Miami’s beginning quarterback Tua Tagovailoa didn’t play in Sunday’s victory over the Browns resulting from a hip ailment that had bothered the younger quarterback for a few weeks. Regardless of practising in a restricted style all week lengthy, Tagovailoa was downgraded to DOUBTFUL on Saturday afternoon, earlier than being positioned on the inactives listing 90 minutes earlier than Sunday’s kickoff.
Out stepped Tagovailoa, and in stepped Tyler “Snoop” Huntley. Earlier within the season, Huntley stuffed in as beginning quarterback when former backup quarterback Skylar Thompson was injured whereas changing a concussed Tagovailoa. Outcomes weren’t what followers hoped for relating to Huntley’s play, however he had simply arrived with the membership after being claimed off of the Baltimore Ravens’ follow squad.
After practising in Miami for the final three months, Huntley was extra ready to run Mike McDaniel’s offense this go round.
Huntley completed the afternoon with 22 completions on 26 makes an attempt (85% completion fee) for 225 yards and a passing rating. He added 7 carries for 52 dashing yards and a landing along with his legs. Huntley completed the sport with a stellar 115.5 passer ranking.
Lately, Huntley intimated that the Dolphins want to have him again because the backup quarterback subsequent 12 months. After Sunday’s efficiency, not many would argue in opposition to what looks like a strong plan.
BAD
Dolphins undisciplined in opposition to Browns; commit 11 penalties
With out your beginning quarterback, you wish to come out as a crew and play good, disciplined soccer with a purpose to mitigate that loss. The Dolphins didn’t try this on Sunday in opposition to the Browns.
Miami was referred to as for 11 penalties — totally on offense — for a complete of 94 yards. Their undisciplined play was disappointing to look at, particularly with their season on the road. Fortunately the Cleveland Browns had been primarily waving the white flag, beginning third string quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson as an alternative of the gunslinging Jameis Winston — severely handicapping their offense.
The Dolphins might want to play a lot smarter ball in the event that they wish to declare a must-win sport in opposition to the New York Jets this upcoming weekend.
UGLY
Tua Tagovailoa misses fifth sport in 2024
As beforehand talked about, Tua Tagovailoa was unavailable for Sunday’s sport in opposition to the Browns — being dominated out with a hip damage after being downgraded to DOUBTFUL on Saturday afternoon.
This was Tagovailoa’s fifth missed sport of the 2024 NFL season — lacking 4 contests earlier within the 12 months after struggling one more concussion and being positioned on injured reserve. In a profession that’s been marred by quite a few damage absences already, the 5 video games he’s been pressured to sit down to this point in 2024 is a profession excessive for missed video games in a single season for Tagovailoa.
The Dolphins are 2-3 in Tagovailoa’s missed begins this 12 months — with the one two victories coming in opposition to basement dwellers within the Browns and the New England Patriots. If the crew desires to win on the highway in opposition to the New York Jets and have an opportunity within the NFL Playoffs if they’re to make it to the postseason, they’ll want their franchise quarterback wholesome and obtainable. We’ll want to watch Tagovailoa’s damage standing because the week unfolds.
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The Dolphins stay “within the hunt” after touring north and defeating the Cleveland Browns on the highway by a rating of 20-3. Their playoff hopes are nonetheless alive, however they’ll have to win in opposition to the Jets, plus see the Denver Broncos lose to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs’ backups in the event that they wish to discover themselves within the postseason. Do you suppose they’ll overcome the percentages of a 2-6 begin to declare the ultimate Wildcard spot within the AFC? Let me know within the feedback beneath or on Twitter at @MBrave13. Fins up!
