MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — At various instances this period, the Miami Dolphins and the Dallas Cowboys have seemed like contenders or pretenders.
Each teams are 10-4, have offenses and protection ranked near the top of the league, and have taken care of lesser levels of competition — often winning by eye-popping margins.
But the two have struggled from the greatest teams in the league.
Three of Miami’s four losses have come from teams with winning documents, when all 10 of its wins have occur against teams that entered at .500 or even worse. The Cowboys’ only win towards a team that at the moment has a profitable report came two weeks back in a 33-13 blowout of the ebbing Philadelphia Eagles.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel stated he told his gamers to not believe about playoff seeding — Miami presently holds the No. 2 location in the AFC and can clinch a playoff berth with a get Sunday — or the “narrative” that they just can’t conquer very good groups.
“Anything other than to issue your self with the future opponent, which for us is the Dallas Cowboys, any other narrative that has to do with very good groups or playoff seeds or the next a few games, all that things,” McDaniel mentioned Monday, “I gave them the clearance to explain to all customers of the media to — with all thanks regard — ‘F’ off, with all owing regard.”
Whether they pay consideration to it or not, the Dolphins can improve that development Sunday at household, where they have won 18 of their final 21 video games. Tua Tagovailoa has a .792 successful proportion at property, which is the 2nd ideal among the lively quarterbacks with at minimum 20 home starts.
The Cowboys are 3-4 on the highway. Previous 7 days, they lost 31-10 at Buffalo, offering up 266 yards rushing while recording only 195 yards total.
“You can not get to in which you want to go remaining a .500 team on the road,” Dallas coach Mike McCarthy stated. “You’re not going to be playing playoff games at house with that document both. It’s unquestionably a concentrate for us.”
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is averaging 304 yards passing with two interceptions and a 74% completion amount at AT&T Stadium. On the street, he’s averaged 216 yards per activity with five picks and a 63% completion charge.
The Cowboys clinched a playoff berth before kicking off in opposition to Buffalo but continue to have a possibility to acquire the NFC East and protected the major seed in the conference.
McCarthy reported his group will lean on a combine of veterans and youngsters the rest of the way.
“This is why we spend so a great deal time with our youthful players,” he explained. “Because this is the time of year that young gamers are playing. And it’s the most vital time of the yr due to the fact we’re all combating for playoff seeds and so forth. I imagine the most important factor is just to continue to be just after it, remain dependable and lean on your leadership.”
COWBOYS Accidents
Dallas proper guard Zack Martin is expected to perform regardless of sustaining a remaining quadriceps bruise in the 1st fifty percent versus Buffalo. Remaining deal with Tyron Smith, an eight-time Professional Bowler, was mentioned as uncertain just after injuring his again against the Charges.
McCarthy claimed defensive deal with Johnathan Hankins would be “hard-pressed to go” for the reason that of a sprained ankle. His absence was felt towards the Charges, who acquired more yards on the floor than any Cowboys opponent in Dan Quinn’s a few seasons as defensive coordinator.
ABOUT THAT DALLAS Operate Protection
The Cowboys had demonstrated enhancement in the weakest place for an opportunistic device that excels with sacks and turnovers. But they regressed from Buffalo.
James Cook rushed for 179 yards, the most for a Dallas opponent considering that Alfred Morris had 200 for Washington in the ultimate game of 2012.
“We weren’t actual physical,” cornerback Stephon Gilmore claimed. “They had been much more physical than we were. As prolonged as you’re physical, you give yourself a possibility to get. We weren’t that on Sunday.”
CHILDHOOD Workforce
Tagovailoa will encounter the crew he grew up loving for the 1st time on Sunday. Whilst his full spouse and children rooted for the Cowboys, Tagovailoa claimed anyone is a Dolphins admirer now. Nonetheless, he’s thrilled to face the team he viewed as a boy or girl in Hawaii.
“It’s likely to be amazing for the instant, just remaining equipped to see the star,” Tagovailoa said. “Being equipped to see those guys in their jerseys. Some of the guys that are taking part in, I used to view them while I was in higher university participating in higher faculty football. And now I get to play towards some of the men on their crew.”
COACHING Link
McDaniel is aware Quinn perfectly more than enough to know the Cowboys’ defense will be ready to make improvements to on past week’s bad exhibiting from the run. McDaniel said that efficiency was “more Buffalo executing that I saw than this, that or the other with Dallas.”
McDaniel was an offensive assistant for Atlanta in 2015-16 when Quinn was the head mentor, and he has spoken in the earlier about Quinn assisting to initiate his sobriety journey.
“He conjures up guys to truly be their finest selves,” McDaniel mentioned. “I’ve witnessed it firsthand for a couple of decades.”
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