Joshua Bessex / AP
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — In the Dolphins’ first playoff video game considering that 2016, it began out looking like Buffalo would blow Miami out.
But a rookie quarterback and coach mix, along with a significant engage in defensive device, almost upset the intensely favored Bills.
Although there are no moral victories in the NFL playoffs, Mike McDaniel’s team proved it can perform through adversity and go toe to toe with the league’s very best when it matters most. The period is more than, soon after the 34-31 loss and the Dolphins finished 9-9, but the techniques ahead taken can not be undersold.
Down but Not Out
Trailing 17-, it appeared the Dolphins may possibly be headed for a different lopsided playoff loss. But not this calendar year, not this mentor, not this crew. The Dolphins slugged it out for the third time this time, appropriate down to the wire in opposition to one particular of the Super Bowl favorites.
Defense Rises Up
From Xavian Howard and Eric Rowe to Zach Seiler, Jaelen Phillips, Christian Wilkins, and other folks, the protection obtained following Charges quarterback Josh Allen, intercepted him two times and scored a touchdown. In a time where major performs had been missing, the defense built more than a handful in this road playoff match. The touchdown, on a Rowe strip of Allen and Seiler score, gave the Dolphins a quick 24-20 guide in the third quarter.
What Could Have Been
Rookie Skylar Thompson begun at quarterback with Tua Tagovailoa out with a concussion. Even with a several negative selections and various dropped passes, Thompson hung in there and made plenty of performs to give the workforce a probability on its remaining possession. But Thompson did miss out on some open receivers with a probability for important large performs, and the blunders had been pricey. But Thompson showed he is a player. The Dolphins have been good to draft and can go on to acquire, regardless of what other quarterback conclusions are manufactured in the offseason.
Early Struggles
The Dolphins trailed 14- ahead of they obtained a initial down. Dropped passes and an interception aided lead to an early deficit. The Dolphins then outscored the Expenditures 24-3 to choose their only guide on the defensive touchdowns.
McDaniel Society
The mantra of ‘adversity is opportunity’ permeated in the course of the time, and stood out in this playoff reduction. Less than the rookie coach the Dolphins never ever got far too down when items failed to go their way, and played by means of some rough scenarios and injuries. In this activity, it approximately led to the franchise’s initially playoff win in far more than two many years.
Off-season Starts
Just after a time of ups and downs and numerous critical injuries, the Dolphins entrance office has manufactured choices to make. The quarterback position, due to Tua’s health situation, will get all the headlines. But many other positions will need awareness, like linebacker, defensive back, and offensive line, with the latter two having difficulties to keep balanced. It will also be fascinating to see if McDaniel’s personnel has some alterations, specifically on protection, the place the workers was mostly held around from former coach Brian Flores.
