The Miami Dolphins’ playoff hopes depend on getting some outside help. If they don’t beat the Browns, it doesn’t matter.
At 7-8, Miami has no margin for error and cannot afford to stumble against a Cleveland team that has lost four straight and faces an uncertain future.
Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa needs one touchdown pass to reach 20 touchdowns for the third straight season. He’ll have to keep an eye on Browns defensive star Myles Garrett, who is making a late push to win AP Defensive Player of the Year for the second straight year. Garrett celebrated his 29th birthday on Sunday and is on track to become the first player to record 14 or more sacks in four consecutive seasons.
Miami (7-8) vs. Cleveland (3-12)
Sunday, 4:05pm EST, CBS
BetMGM NFL Odds: Dolphins 6 1/2.
Against the spread: Dolphins 6-9, Browns 4-11.
Series record: Dolphins lead 10-9.
Last meeting: On November 13, 2022, the Dolphins defeated the Browns 39-17 in Miami Gardens, Florida.
Last week: Dolphins defeated San Francisco 29-17. The Browns lost to the Bengals 24-6.
Dolphins Offense: Overall (18), Rushing (25), Passing (15), Points (23).
Dolphins defense: Overall (8), Rushing (6), Passing (11), Points (10).
Browns Offense: Overall (25), Rushing (27), Passing (19), Points (31).
Browns defense: Overall (19), Rushing (19), Passing (14), Points (26).
Turnover difference: Dolphins -4, Browns -18.
Dolphins notable players
DE Zack Sheeler has recorded at least one sack in five of the last six games, including the sack of Brock Purdy last week against San Francisco. Seeler’s 8 1/2 sacks are the second-most by a defensive tackle this season behind the Giants’ Dexter Lawrence and the most by any defensive tackle in the AFC. The Browns had a hard time defending Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who was sacked four times in his start last week, but that gave them room to take advantage of Seeler and Miami’s pass rush.
Browns players to watch
DE Myles Garrett’s 29th birthday coincided with Cleveland’s final home game and a late season bid to defend his title as the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. Garrett had over 100 sacks last week. He also joined Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor as the only players with at least 12 sacks in five consecutive seasons. Garrett has 12 sacks and could become the first player to have 14 sacks in four consecutive seasons.
major matchups
Dolphins running back Devon Ashen vs. Browns linebacker. Achan’s versatility as a runner (761 yards) and pass catcher (76 receptions, 579 yards) makes him difficult to stop, another play that stresses Miami’s defense, especially on the perimeter. Manufacturer will be given. One missed tackle can mean the difference between a short gain or a long touchdown.
major injury
Dolphins: CB Kendall Fuller did not suffer a serious knee injury against San Francisco, but his status is in doubt. …WR Jaylen Waddle (knee) was out last week. Coach Mike McDaniel said he wants to see how Waddle progresses this week before making a judgment on his game status.
Browns: QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson (calf) was injured in last week’s first series and did not play. As long as he stays healthy, he will be making his fifth career start. …TE David Njoku (knee) is out. He had a team-high eight catches last week. … DE Ogbo Okoronkwo (knee) and WR Cedric Tillman (concussion) are both out. … DT Shelby Harris (elbow) was placed on injured reserve this week, hurting Cleveland’s forward depth.
series notes
Miami has won three of the last four meetings after losing four straight. … The Browns are 7-5 at home against the Dolphins, winning 41-24 in their last meeting at Huntington Bank Field in 2019. … The Dolphins won six straight against the Browns from 1988 to 2004.
Statistics and more
The Dolphins (7-8) are on the bubble, along with Indianapolis (7-8) and Cincinnati (7-8), competing for a wild-card spot. Even if the Dolphins win their remaining two games, they will need help from other teams to qualify. In one scenario, Miami would make the playoffs with Denver (9-6) and the Los Angeles Chargers each going 2-2. (9-6). …The Dolphins won their fifth straight season at home last week. Miami is 5-2 at home and 2-5 on the road this season. …QB Tua Tagovailoa threw his 100th touchdown on a 3-yard pass to Tyreek Hill in the second quarter. He is the fourth Dolphins quarterback to complete 100 TD passes and his 15th consecutive game with at least one TD pass, second in the NFL behind Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson (23). It was a long continuous active record. …Miami’s run game finally took off in this game, gaining 166 yards. It was the first time since Week 9 that the Dolphins eclipsed 100 yards rushing. Achan led the way with 120 yards. His 50-yard rushing score was Miami’s longest run of the season. …LB Jordyn Brooks is having one of the most productive seasons as a Dolphins defender. His 128 tackles are the most in a season in the past 15 years, and his three sacks this season make him one of only four players in the NFL to have at least three sacks and 100 tackles in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. . Brooks is also the only player in the NFL this season with at least 100 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five passes defended and three sacks. … With three tackles last week, Calais Campbell reached 900 tackles in his career, making him the only active defensive lineman to record that many tackles and the first since at least 2,000. …Thompson-Robinson had some good moments last week, but was a little hesitant in the pocket. He may have contributed to Cincinnati’s five sacks. … Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel was Cleveland’s wide receivers coach in 2014. …RB Jerome Ford ran for 66 yards on the first play of last week’s game and finished with 131 total yards. He has a bigger workload with Nick Chubb (broken foot) out for the season. … WR Jerry Jeudy only had two catches last week, but led the Browns in receptions with 72 and 1,072 yards. Jeudy becomes the third player to reach 1,000 yards in his first season with the team. The others include Amari Cooper (2022) and Odell Beckham Jr. (2019). … CB Denzel Ward leads the NFL with 19 passes defensed. He’ll probably spend most of the game against Hill — speed on speed. …The Browns have not allowed a QB to throw for 300 yards in 26 consecutive games, the current longest streak in the NFL. … Browns key Dustin Hopkins returned last week after being benched for the game and missing his only PAT attempt. Hopkins is in an extended slump, but coach Kevin Stefanski said he plans to stick with the veteran this week. The Browns signed Andre Schmidt as an option.
fantasy tips
Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith was a revelation for Miami, signing as a free agent. He is tied with Achan for the team lead in catches and TDs. Cleveland is vulnerable in the midfield, and Smith could have another big game.
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