The Miami Dolphins will be in the playoffs no subject what, but you can find a lot at stake in their showdown with AFC East rival Buffalo on Sunday night.
The Dolphins’ odds at earning the AFC’s top seed finished when they were blown out at Baltimore last weekend. But a victory about the Costs would give them their to start with AFC East title since 2008 and the No. 2 seed in the convention.
If Miami loses, it would drop to the No. 6 seed and most likely would need to gain a few street playoff online games to reach the Super Bowl.
Enjoying at home could bode properly for the Dolphins, who are 7-1 at Difficult Rock Stadium.
Miami had 3 turnovers at Baltimore on Sunday and gave up a season-substantial 491 yards as breakdowns in conversation on both sides of the ball stalled momentum. Tua Tagovailoa was 22 of 38 for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Tyreek Hill caught six passes for 76 yards but dropped a opportunity touchdown when he was wide open in the stop zone on Miami’s second drive.
Hill attributed the fall to bad concentration.
“I will say, I under no circumstances get that wide open up,” Hill stated. “The ball just floated so lengthy. It was just like, ‘Get here’ to me. I just have to make the participate in, male.”
When the Dolphins misplaced at Buffalo in Week 4, they turned the ball around twice and have been 3 of 10 on third down. Hill experienced 58 yards receiving, his 2nd-lowest output of the season.
“The terrific factor about this team is we have these incredible leaders,” Hill explained. “You know what, I’m wanting ahead to looking at how we bounce back again. I know mentor (Mike McDaniel) is going to get us well prepared, and it is really going to be what we have to have heading into the playoffs. It’s likely to be high-quality.”
Miami will have to have to overcome a myriad of accidents.
Jaylen Waddle did not participate in against Baltimore because of a high ankle sprain, and it’s not apparent no matter whether he’ll be available Sunday night. And the Dolphins will facial area a Charges offense that has dominated them in the latest a long time without a number of key starters on defense, such as pass rusher Bradley Chubb (knee), linebacker Jaelan Phillips (Achilles tendon). Cornerback Xavien Howard (foot) is also probable to skip the game.
“Regardless of what we’re working with personally at residence, or an injuries to our entire body, this match is heading to kick off when it kicks off and it truly is going to go down,” veteran remaining tackle Terron Armstead claimed. “You want to go out there with your finest foot forward no matter. So when you get ready as a result of the week, that kickoff time is heading to be that kickoff time, no make any difference who is on the industry, no make a difference what they’re working with. That’s how you’ve got obtained to solution it.”
What is Functioning
Miami has rushed for at the very least 120 yards in 4 of its earlier 6 games. The Dolphins experienced 154 yards rushing Sunday and averaged 6.2 yards for each hurry.
WHAT Desires Help
Some of Miami’s midseason concerns with ball security returned. Tagovailoa hadn’t thrown an interception in four games but experienced two towards the Ravens. Backup Mike White dropped a fumble late in the fourth quarter.
Stock UP
De’Von Achane. He was Miami’s lead ball provider in the absence of Raheem Mostert, who did not enjoy because of ankle and knee injuries. Achane experienced a 23-garden run on the to start with participate in of the recreation and concluded with 107 yards on 14 carries with a obtaining landing.
Stock DOWN
The secondary, which was plagued by blown coverages and bad tackling. Howard only played four snaps due to the fact of a foot damage, and the Ravens focused backup Eli Apple throughout the activity. Apple lost observe of Zay Bouquets on a 75-yard landing.
Injuries
Chubb will overlook the relaxation of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his correct knee late in the activity. … Howard’s foot damage is not predicted to have to have operation, but he is probable to miss out on the Buffalo game. … Tagovailoa is dealing with a sore shoulder.
Key Number
100 — It was the fourth 100-lawn hurrying activity for Achane, which tied Karim Abdul-Jabbar for the most these games by a rookie in Dolphins record.
Upcoming Ways
The Dolphins have beaten the Charges just at the time in the past 11 conferences. If they gain, they would not have to go on the highway during the playoffs right up until the AFC championship recreation.
