December was the cruelest month to the Miami Dolphins a 12 months in the past.
Likely in 8-3, they lost 5 in a row and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a season-ending concussion, falling out of to start with location in the course of action.
The Dolphins, again 8-3, hope this December is not as considerably of a wasteland, starting with their activity Sunday at the Washington Commanders that they’re favored to gain and pad their direct atop the AFC East.
“This is wherever you make your cash listed here,” Tagovailoa reported. “It truly is likely to be nearer game titles, likely to be just one-score game titles. It is likely to come down to whoever receives the ball last, and you’ve got acquired to go win the ballgame from there.”
Miami has not been 9-3 because 2001. The Dolphins enter Week 13 with the NFL’s leading offense, going to the Commanders (4-8) refreshing off coach Ron Rivera firing defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and getting in excess of the enjoy-contacting duties on protection.
Soon after blowing out the New York Jets and with their subsequent game coming up at home from Tennessee (4-7), it can be up to the Dolphins not to stub their toe at Washington. The dropping streak from a yr in the past may be a helpful memory.
“We felt like it was our year then, but issues failed to go that way,” operating back Jeff Wilson Jr. mentioned. “It just keeps us that additional locked in simply because just as excellent as it truly is heading, it can easily go the other way.”
Glance no further than the Commanders, who have misplaced eight of 10 given that opening the season with back-to-back again victories. A 45-10 drubbing at Dallas was the newest humiliation in a season full of them, which is almost specific to bring important adjustments at the time it’s in excess of.
“All of our energy for the remainder of the season will be focused on playing greater, extra dependable soccer and acquiring our gamers while intently analyzing the areas in which we need to have to boost this offseason,” operator Josh Harris said in a statement right after Rivera fired Del Rio and defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer. “Our followers should have a team that contend with the NFL’s finest and gain sustainably more than the prolonged expression.”
That is Miami’s aim: to earn the division, safe a 1st-round sport at home and try to make a operate. But why will this time all over be distinctive?
“I guess we’ll see,” defensive tackle Christian Wilkins claimed. “I guess that is remaining to be found. But I feel we have acquired the correct men in the locker area and ideal leadership and correct way of thinking as a crew that I imagine we have a probability to do some superior issues relocating ahead.”
BANGED UP
Accidents are piling up as the Dolphins enter the season’s remaining extend.
Veteran still left tackle Terron Armstead did not apply Wednesday just after injuring a quadriceps muscle towards the Jets, and his status for Sunday is in dilemma. Kendall Lamm, who has crammed in at still left tackle this period as Armstead has battled numerous injuries, is working with a back damage.
If neither can participate in Sunday, Kion Smith would probable fill in at left tackle. Injuries up front have been a year-lengthy situation, as the Dolphins have utilised 10 diverse offensive linemen and started out 7 different combos this time.
Basic safety Jevon Holland (knee), WR Tyreek Hill (ankle) and Raheem Mostert (ankle/knee) also missed exercise Wednesday.
NOT D-LIGHTFUL
No make any difference who’s contacting the defensive plays for Washington, the line was supposed to set the tone for the full crew this year. As a substitute, pass rushers Chase Youthful and Montez Sweat have been traded.
Now the onus is on defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, who have combined for 7 1/2 sacks, to make a variation, even as they offer with double-teams from opponents.
“When I am using on a double-workforce, I am helping my team have a superior alternative of creating the enjoy,” Allen mentioned. “If I am having double-teams, I am expecting the other guys around me to contribute and make plays.”
Rivera is hoping to simplify some items to get defenders playing quicker and wondering a lot less. That could suggest a lesser playbook.
“You might be just capable to target in on selected calls: items that you know that are heading to be named, points that you know that we are likely to run,” cornerback Kendall Fuller explained. “When you watch tape, you might be ready to place you in those people plays and prepare yourself to be in which you need to have to be after you see specific performs and based on how the offense would like to assault us and issues like that.”
NEW NORM
Jaelan Phillips’ absence at practice Wednesday was felt most by Bradley Chubb.
The Dolphins linebackers are frequently seen laughing, dancing or participating in drills together on the sideline, but techniques the rest of the season will look a great deal distinctive after Phillips experienced a season-ending suitable Achilles tendon tear in the gain at the Jets.
Chubb reported transferring forward without one of their most successful gamers will be a “new norm” for Miami’s protection. Phillips had 6 1/2 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 11 QB hits and an interception in eight games. He underwent surgical procedures this 7 days and was positioned on time-ending injured reserve Tuesday, when the Dolphins signed veteran go rusher Jason Pierre-Paul.
“That is what he would want us to do: Go out there and ball and do almost everything we talked about in the offseason,” Chubb reported. “I’m going to go out there and carry on to do what is actually very best for this crew every and each individual day, and I know he is likely to do everything to get back again.”
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AP Athletics Writer Alanis Thames in Miami Gardens, Florida, contributed.
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