MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — The Miami Dolphins read the talk all week about their -3 history from profitable groups moving into their matchup with the Dallas Cowboys. They couldn’t fully disregard the criticism — social media can make it tough to do that, coach Mike McDaniel explained.
But he felt his group did not let “narratives” grow to be a distraction, and Miami (11-4) eventually received above that hump.
“Regardless of what individuals say, you have to get to a mode where by you are entirely concerned about accomplishing your position and getting dependable for that with your teammates,” McDaniel mentioned soon after Sunday’s 22-20 defeat of the Cowboys. “And anything else, you get distracted and reduce aim on what really issues.”
What matters to the playoff-certain Dolphins now is beating two much more winning teams: Baltimore on Sunday and then division rival Buffalo in their year finale.
Sunday’s victory place the AFC East-main Dolphins in posture to win the division for the initial time considering the fact that 2008 with possibly a win at Baltimore or a Costs loss to New England in Week 17, or a win around Buffalo in Week 18.
Miami would also overtake the Ravens for the top place in the meeting — with home-area gain through the playoffs and a 1st-round bye — if it wins its remaining two games. A division title would give the Dolphins at the very least one particular house playoff video game.
“It’s accurately what you want,” McDaniel explained. “You want to be taking part in the most effective football groups in December and January. You want to go toe to toe with them, and you want to make victories. To do that, we’re extremely fortunate to have the option to engage in the Baltimore Ravens this week.”
Miami’s offense has occur up shorter with a probability for a match-successful push two times this year. It occurred from Kansas Metropolis in Week 9 and all over again vs. Tennessee two weeks ago.
From Dallas, the Dolphins came as a result of. With Miami trailing 20-19, Tua Tagovailoa concluded 4 of 5 passes on a 12-enjoy, 64-lawn push that took the remaining 3:27 off the clock and set up Jason Sanders’ activity-profitable field aim.
Tyreek Hill caught two passes on the decisive push, a single of which converted a third down.
“We have to be capable to have fantastic drives,” Hill explained, “and the way Tua orchestrated the very last generate, it was a issue of natural beauty.”
What is Functioning
Miami has gotten solid perform from its linebackers, even with starting off LB Jaelan Phillips out for the time with an Achilles tendon tear. Bradley Chubb and Andrew Van Ginkel recorded 1 1/2 sacks apiece on Sunday. The Dolphins had four sacks whole, providing them a franchise-very best 52 on the time.
WHAT Requires Aid
Situational defense. Two months soon after making it possible for the Titans to rating twice in the remaining five minutes, Miami authorized a 17-engage in, 69-lawn drive that used around seven minutes of the clock and ended in Dallas scoring a go-in advance touchdown.
Inventory UP
Sanders. He had struggled on prolonged field aims all time ahead of nailing 3 kicks of 50-plus yards — together with a career-extensive 57-yarder in the first quarter — as very well as the 29-yarder as time expired on Sunday.
Stock DOWN
The Dolphins once again remaining details on the subject mainly because of struggles in the red zone, wherever they were 1 of 4. In the very first quarter, McDaniel went for it on fourth down at the Dallas 5 and opted for a target-line fade pass that was unsuccessful.
Injuries
WR Robbie Selected is in the concussion protocol right after leaving in the very first quarter. … WR Jaylen Waddle remaining in the third quarter with an ankle injuries. … RT Austin Jackson (indirect) did not participate in. … RB Raheem Mostert was limited in the next 50 percent for the reason that of a shin injury. McDaniel stated Mostert required to come back into the sport, but the group could explain to the damage was very distressing.
Important Amount
1,000 — Mostert surpassed 1,000 yards dashing for the to start with time in his career with his 46 yards Sunday. The 31-yr-old is the initially participant in his 30s to rush for 1,000 yards in a year due to the fact then-33-12 months-aged Adrian Peterson had 1,042 yards for Washington in 2018. … Waddle had a 50-yard catch in the very first quarter to put him more than 1,000 yards acquiring. He’s the to start with Dolphins receiver to post three straight 1,000-yard seasons.
Next Actions
The Dolphins won at Baltimore final time. Miami misplaced at Buffalo in 7 days 4.
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