MIAMI GARDENS – Down but not defeated. And definitely not accomplished.
Tua Tagovailoa and the Miami Dolphins believe that they are nonetheless having optimistic methods toward creating the playoffs in spite of currently being in the midst of a a few-match skid pursuing a 32-29 loss to the Buffalo Expenditures on Saturday night time.
“I am a really optimistic man or woman,” Tagovailoa reported. “I would like to glimpse at all the superior that our workforce has displayed tonight from a definitely difficult divisional opponent.”
Miami (8-6) stays in the playoff hunt following coming into the weekend the AFC’s sixth-seeded group in its bid to clinch its 1st playoff berth since 2016. In blowing a 29-21 fourth-quarter direct, the Dolphins squandered an chance to sweep the season series in opposition to Buffalo for the first time due to the fact 2016, and dropped a few wins guiding the Bills (11-3) in the race for the AFC East title.
What encouraged the Dolphins was an enhanced offensive performance from earlier losses from the 49ers and Chargers, and having a direct into the fourth quarter in opposition to the AFC-foremost Expenditures.
“That is night and day from the soccer we have performed considering that the bye,” coach Mike McDaniel explained. “Experienced we played like that for the entire year, we would be sensation a good deal distinctive due to the fact it wouldn’t be the 3rd in a row.”
The Dolphins erupted for 405 yards in offense and 20 to start with downs versus Buffalo, soon after combining for 527 yards and 28 to start with downs in their past two outings.
With functioning back again Jeff Wilson sidelined by a hip injury, Miami established its working recreation early, with Raheem Mostert gaining 101 of his 136 yards dashing in the initial quarter. Salvon Ahmed added 43 yards with an 11-garden landing run.
“It started with the functioning backs,” McDaniel said. “They understood it was their time. They preferred to carry the load. They had the proper frame of mind. And it is a credit to the offensive line for truly likely after a team that plays tricky, that if you do not after, they make you glimpse really silly, really fast.”
The ground assault opened passing lanes for Tagovailoa, who concluded 17 of 30 passing for 234 yards, with 67-yard touchdown toss to Jaylen Waddle, and a 20-yarder to Tyreek Hill that gave the Dolphins a 26-21 guide in the 3rd quarter.
“I am genuinely very pleased of the way our leaders stepped up in this match,” Tagovailoa mentioned. “In essential moments of the game, our leaders built significant plays. Our workforce is taking a step in the suitable course.”
On a cold evening with snow falling during the fourth quarter, the Dolphins feel they defied those who doubted their potential to engage in in adverse ailments.
“Following this efficiency, we are ready to put that to relaxation,” Tagovailoa stated. “That we can not perform cold-weather teams, that we can’t compete with chilly-weather groups.”
Miami has nonetheless misplaced its previous 9 when the temperature is down below 40. And they fell to 2-8 in their previous 10 visits to Buffalo in December.
The video game was stopped briefly in the second quarter when officers warned admirers to halt throwing snowballs on to the subject.
“Their supporters are electrical,” Tagovailoa mentioned. “Thank god I was not hit by a snowball. But there have been some in the vicinity of misses on the sideline.”
McDaniel was primarily upbeat about the way his team finished its 3-sport street excursion.
“Point of view is vital,” McDaniel explained. “There is stuff to study from it. It truly is a intestine look at, for absolutely sure. But I know the fellas aspire to be great. Very well this is a person issue that only good men and women can do. To seriously go all in, genuinely invest, expend a good deal of time, do all the things right, and continue to occur up quick. Which is football. That’s what occurs when you engage in actually, really good football groups on their property turf.”
Going into the last stretch of the season, McDaniel would like to see the Dolphins exhibit better resolve in the confront of adversity.
“There is no this sort of point as a period without having adversity,” McDaniel explained. “I observed heads down disappointment that I never want to see. People today are going to make plays. Specifically great teams. You have to get employed to genuinely wanting to gain and dealing with the repercussions.”
