MIAMI GARDENS – With a 4-activity getting rid of streak, the Dolphins squandered an easy route to the playoffs and now require to acquire at minimum one – or maybe the two – of their last two games to access the postseason.
And they will possibly have to do it with a backup quarterback.
Tua Tagovailoa is in concussion protocol once more right after what was at the very least his 2nd traumatic mind damage of the time, and Teddy Bridgewater is predicted to begin for Miami (8-7) towards the New England Patriots (7-8) on Sunday.
The winner of the video game has a first rate likelihood at a playoff berth. If the Patriots lose, they are out if the Dolphins shed, they are in hassle.
“I’m energized to get an possibility to play some soccer, some significant football,” Bridgewater stated as he organized for his to start with motion due to the fact 7 days 6. “Seeking forward to this possibility we have to get into the tournament.”
Miami was 8-3 right after a fifth straight victory in 7 days 12 and the only dilemma appeared to be no matter if it would obstacle Buffalo for the AFC East title or have to settle for a wild-card berth. Four losses afterwards, the Dolphins are in danger of lacking the postseason completely.
Their force will likely have to arrive with Bridgewater immediately after Tagovailoa re-entered the concussion protocol. He appeared to strike his head on the ground in the next quarter of the decline to Green Bay, although he never still left the video game and was not quickly evaluated for a concussion.
Dolphins mentor Mike McDaniel stated the crew didn’t see anything concerning for the duration of the video game but observed a trouble right after examining the tape. Tagovailoa fulfilled with medical practitioners on Monday and was positioned into the NFL’s concussion protocol following reporting indications.
Functioning back again Raheem Mostert stated the team’s undesirable luck is not a thing it can manage.
“The 4 losses is some thing that you can absolutely management, but it just has not absent our way” with the injuries, he explained. “It is just the way of the video game. … I know there is a whole lot of playoff implications on what we have to do and all the things like that, but we’ve just obtained to dial in on what we have to do in buy to get a acquire this week.”
Receiver Tyreek Hill reported he is nonetheless assured with Bridgewater at quarterback mainly because he “can place up numbers with any person.”
“All of the fellas received chemistry with Teddy,” Hill said. “He just delivers that veteran presence that we all form of will need.”
The Patriots have shed four of five, but Miami’s collapse opened the door for them to attain the playoffs for the next time given that Tom Brady’s departure signaled the finish of their dynasty.
“It definitely starts with … knowing what kind of possibility we have in front of us,” Patriots quarterback Mac Jones said. “You’ve got got to realize what is actually at danger, what we want to get to and you just have to perform your heart out, participate in for each individual other and go against a really great crew.”
Continue to Self-confident
Inspite of the anxiety of dropping their commencing quarterback to a concussion for the second time this year, owning the veteran Bridgewater as a backup has lifted some tension off the Dolphins.
McDaniel claimed he was on the phone with Bridgewater right until 10:15 p.m. Tuesday going more than plans.
“This is why we believed it so critical to go following him in free of charge company,” McDaniel stated. “This is why he is done such a diligent position during the class of the period with his possess accidents and this kind of to be organized for this prospect. And I know the crew is incredibly enthusiastic. I experience very fortuitous to have him and for him to get his opportunity that he’s completely organized for.”
Bridgewater is 41 yards shy of 15,000 career passing yards and has a vocation passer ranking of 90.5.
Filthy Engage in
Patriots quarterback Mac Jones was accused of remaining a soiled participant just after he laid down in front of Bengals cornerback Eli Apple on a possible fumble return (which was eventually dominated an incomplete pass).
Apple named it a soiled play and said he is found Jones cross the line ahead of. Jones was also fined for flipping a soccer at a Payments player after becoming sacked. And from Chicago, he slid with his leg up, kicking a Bears player in the groin.
Jones explained he respects players all around the league but was concerned about “earning the regard of the individuals in this creating and the people I care about.”
Stress Makes DIAMONDS
Miami players are embracing the problem of heading into their closing two online games with a playoff spot on the line. The Dolphins are clinging to the seventh seed in the AFC and are assured a playoff berth if they gain out.
“We presently know what we bought to do, which is make performs and just win soccer game titles,” Hill explained. “The NFL (is) rough. It won’t issue who you participate in. It would not make any difference what the document reveals on a crew. It does not make any difference. Simply because at the conclusion of the day, you’re likely against specialist athletes who get compensated just like you get paid out.”
