MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Moments immediately after the Dolphins’ playoff-clinching gain above the Jets, mentor Mike McDaniel went around to embrace the person who introduced him to Miami, owner Stephen Ross.
“I know how a lot of other teams have been interviewing me, so the respond to is zero,” McDaniel claimed, “and he felt in his gut that that did not subject, that this was the correct match for all the things that we’re attempting to do right here, and I’ll for good be faithful to that.”
McDaniel manufactured a solid impression in his very first year by planning an explosive offense close to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and main the Dolphins to an 8-3 commence. Miami followed that with a five-match skid even though dealing with big injuries.
But the banged-up Dolphins (9-8), with rookie third-stringer Skylar Thompson at quarterback, did adequate to conquer the New York Jets 11-6 on Sunday and make the playoffs as the AFC’s No. 7 seed. Miami will encounter AFC East rival Buffalo in the wild-card spherical on Sunday.
They’ve barely seemed like globe-beaters lately, but the Dolphins are nonetheless playing.
“For myself, and what I inform the men in our room, we just have to glimpse further than that,” huge receiver Tyreek Hill claimed. “We have to come across methods to look at our losses, take accountability and get superior from it. That’s what we’ve been carrying out this total period.”
Hill experienced 23 yards getting Sunday as he dealt with an ankle harm. He’s one particular of numerous Dolphins gamers hoping to get healthful forward of the Buffalo recreation.
Functioning back Raheem Mostert broke his thumb Sunday after speeding for 71 yards on 11 carries, and McDaniel mentioned he expects Mostert will have medical procedures.
“It’s really serious personal injury,” McDaniel reported. “It’s difficult to know if he’ll be able to enjoy this week. I in no way place something past Raheem Mostert. I have figured out that more than time. But it was a major crack of his thumb.”
In the meantime, McDaniel claimed all 3 of the quarterbacks on Miami’s active roster are working with accidents.
Starter Tua Tagovailoa remains in the concussion protocol and hasn’t still been cleared to return to soccer functions. Teddy Bridgewater dislocated a pinky finger in Week 17 at New England. And Thompson, making his second commence of the time, appeared to have his leg twisted up on a strike in the second 50 percent from the Jets and limped off the area. He briefly went to the Dolphins’ professional medical tent but did not miss any snaps.
McDaniel referred to as Thompson’s harm “bumps and bruises” and claimed he’s hoping to have far more clarity on the wellness of his quarterbacks later on this week. He additional that Bridgewater was energetic versus the Jets and could have entered the recreation in an unexpected emergency.
“There will be some issue marks,” McDaniel said, “but the good news is this workforce has proven not to blink in any type of question marks both way. We have fellas that we seriously feel in, and we’ll go with the healthiest team up to Buffalo and participate in a very very good football group.”
Thompson didn’t change the ball more than in opposition to the Jets and moved the Dolphins into array for a very last-moment, go-ahead industry purpose. He stated afterward he wasn’t considering about whether or not he’ll be the starter at Buffalo.
“That will be one thing for a pair times from now,” Thompson reported. “I’m enjoying this. It is critical to rejoice things like this for the time being and soak it all in, and that’s what I’m heading to do.”
What is Operating
Miami’s defense could not provide recreation-conserving performs or critical stops during the five-sport skid. But the Dolphins did not let a touchdown in opposition to and the Jets and acquired the stops they necessary in the fourth quarter. It’ll be significantly more durable to cease Josh Allen and the Bills’ significant-powered offense, but Miami at least has a sturdy effectiveness to construct on.
Miami’s offensive line, playing with out veteran still left tackle Terron Armstead, only gave up one particular sack.
WHAT Wants Enable
Penalties are continue to an situation that have killed promising drives and are portion of what kept the Dolphins out of the conclusion zone Sunday. Miami has been penalized 22 occasions for 180 yards in its previous three games.
Stock UP
Jason Sanders was 1 for 6 on discipline goals of 50-additionally yards prior to his 50-yarder with 18 seconds still left from the Jets that extended Miami’s time.
Inventory DOWN
Miami’s passing sport obviously is not the identical without Tagovailoa, but Hill and Jaylen Waddle must have been significantly extra involved Sunday. The receivers had just five targets each towards the Jets.
Injured
Hill briefly remaining in the initially 50 % with his ankle injury. … Mostert broke his thumb in the fourth quarter. … OL Liam Eichenberg remaining in the third quarter with an arm harm. … Armstead (toe/pec/knee/hip) skipped his second straight activity.
Key Amount
17 — The range of catches by Waddle in 4 profession games towards the Bills. He has 293 yards receiving from Buffalo and caught a few passes for 114 yards and a landing against the Bills in Week 15.
Up coming Measures
Miami and Buffalo will satisfy for the 3rd time this season. They split the typical-year collection, with the dwelling team successful equally instances.
Copyright 2023 The Affiliated Push. All legal rights reserved. This substance may well not be printed, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
