Despite the fact that the Miami Dolphins have been with out QB Tua Tagovailoa and WR Jaylen Waddle on Sunday, they have been an excessive amount of for the Cleveland Browns in a 20-3 street win.
With the win, the Dolphins enhance to 8-8 and maintain their playoff hopes alive with one recreation to go.
The Dolphins have been with out Tagovailoa attributable to a hip damage. Waddle, one in every of solely three gamers on the crew with not less than 700 receiving yards this season, was out with a proper knee damage.
This TD reception from TE Jonnu Smith formally put the sport out of attain with 3:38 remaining.
Coming into the sport, Smith was second on the crew with 802 receiving yards.
QB Tyler Huntley performed about in addition to you can ask for, finishing 22 of his 26 passes for 225 yards and one TD. Huntley additionally rushed for 52 yards and a TD.
The Dolphins’ struggles have been paramount all through the sport, although, changing solely 2 of their 11 third down makes an attempt and committing 11 penalties for 94 yards. According to TeamRankings, the Dolphins have been tied for twenty first within the NFL, averaging 6.6 penalties per recreation coming into Sunday, so the rash of penalties ought to come as no shock.
Having its roster totally wholesome going into Week 18 goes to be important for Miami, with quite a bit at stake. NFL.com’s Playoff Probability provides the Dolphins a 31% probability of constructing the playoffs after Sunday’s win. A loss would have ended their playoff hopes altogether.
Listed here are the eventualities for the ultimate AFC playoff spot:
Whereas the Indianapolis Colts’ loss to the New York Giants eradicated them from postseason rivalry, the Denver Broncos (9-7) are nonetheless forward of Miami heading into Week 18.
Miami would personal the tiebreaker over the Cincinnati Bengals even when each groups have the identical file in the long run.
The Dolphins merely must win their Week 18 recreation towards the New York Jets and pull for a Broncos loss to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, who introduced they plan on resting key starters for the sport.
If that’s the case, Miami could have much more of an uphill battle to achieve the postseason. Regardless, the Dolphins are nonetheless alive for a 3rd consecutive playoff look.
