MIAMI GARDENS – At various situations this year, the Miami Dolphins and the Dallas Cowboys have appeared like contenders or pretenders.
The two groups are 10-4, have offenses and protection rated in close proximity to the top of the league, and have taken treatment of lesser competitors — often successful by eye-popping margins.
But equally have struggled towards the ideal groups in the league.
A few of Miami’s 4 losses have appear from teams with successful data, though all 10 of its wins have appear in opposition to groups that entered at .500 or worse. The Cowboys’ only gain from a group that at the moment has a profitable file came two months ago in a 33-13 blowout of the ebbing Philadelphia Eagles.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel explained he informed his gamers to not imagine about playoff seeding — Miami currently holds the No. 2 location in the AFC and can clinch a playoff berth with a get Sunday — or the “narrative” that they can not conquer superior teams.
“Just about anything other than to problem your self with the upcoming opponent, which for us is the Dallas Cowboys, any other narrative that has to do with good teams or playoff seeds or the future a few online games, all that stuff,” McDaniel claimed Monday, “I gave them the clearance to convey to all customers of the media to — with all owing respect — ‘F’ off, with all thanks respect.”
No matter whether they pay out consideration to it or not, the Dolphins can alter that craze Sunday at household, the place they have gained 18 of their very last 21 video games. Tua Tagovailoa has a .792 winning percentage at property, which is the next best among the energetic quarterbacks with at minimum 20 household commences.
The Cowboys are 3-4 on the highway. Last week, they missing 31-10 at Buffalo, supplying up 266 yards hurrying though recording only 195 yards total.
“You are not able to get to where you want to go staying a .500 group on the road,” Dallas mentor Mike McCarthy claimed. “You are not heading to be playing playoff games at house with that history both. It is certainly a concentration for us.”
Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott is averaging 304 yards passing with two interceptions and a 74% completion fee at AT&T Stadium. On the street, he’s averaged 216 yards per sport with five picks and a 63% completion charge.
The Cowboys clinched a playoff berth right before kicking off from Buffalo but nevertheless have a possibility to win the NFC East and secure the leading seed in the conference.
McCarthy said his workforce will lean on a blend of veterans and kids the relaxation of the way.
“This is why we invest so considerably time with our youthful gamers,” he explained. “Due to the fact this is the time of yr that young players are enjoying. And it really is the most crucial time of the yr due to the fact we are all preventing for playoff seeds and so forth. I consider the major point is just to stay right after it, continue to be steady and lean on your management.”
COWBOYS Accidents
Dallas suitable guard Zack Martin is anticipated to engage in regardless of sustaining a remaining quadriceps bruise in the initially half in opposition to Buffalo. Remaining tackle Tyron Smith, an eight-time Professional Bowler, has a back harm.
McCarthy said defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins would be “really hard-pressed to go” since of a sprained ankle. His absence was felt versus the Bills, who obtained much more yards on the floor than any Cowboys opponent in Dan Quinn’s three seasons as defensive coordinator.
ABOUT THAT DALLAS Run Defense
The Cowboys had shown advancement in the weakest area for an opportunistic unit that excels with sacks and turnovers. But they regressed in opposition to Buffalo.
James Cook rushed for 179 yards, the most for a Dallas opponent because Alfred Morris had 200 for Washington in the remaining sport of 2012.
“We were not physical,” cornerback Stephon Gilmore mentioned. “They had been additional physical than we have been. As extensive as you might be physical, you give on your own a chance to earn. We were not that on Sunday.”
CHILDHOOD Group
Tagovailoa will facial area the workforce he grew up loving for the first time on Sunday. Although his entire family members rooted for the Cowboys, Tagovailoa claimed everybody is a Dolphins enthusiast now. Still, he’s fired up to confront the workforce he viewed as a little one in Hawaii.
“It really is heading to be amazing for the moment, just currently being ready to see the star,” Tagovailoa claimed. “Being capable to see those guys in their jerseys. Some of the guys that are actively playing, I used to observe them even though I was in higher college participating in substantial faculty football. And now I get to engage in towards some of the guys on their staff.”
COACHING Link
McDaniel is aware Quinn effectively enough to know the Cowboys’ protection will be all set to boost on past week’s weak displaying towards the run. McDaniel reported that performance was “additional Buffalo executing that I noticed than this, that or the other with Dallas.”
McDaniel was an offensive assistant for Atlanta in 2015-16 when Quinn was the head coach, and he has spoken in the previous about Quinn assisting to initiate his sobriety journey.
“He conjures up men to definitely be their finest selves,” McDaniel said. “I’ve witnessed it firsthand for a couple of decades.”
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AP Professional Soccer Author Schuyler Dixon contributed to this report.
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