CLEVELAND (AP) — The Miami Dolphins will need a lot of outside help to make the AFC playoffs. But first they must save themselves.
With no room for error, the Dolphins (7-8) hope to stay in postseason contention for at least one more week with a win over the Browns (3-12) on Sunday, but the Browns have been in contention for a few weeks now. The season has collapsed and appears to be on the brink of a new turmoil. Off season.
This is another must-win situation for Miami, no different than a week ago when the Dolphins defeated San Francisco. But with only two games remaining, the Dolphins’ bubble is becoming unstable and fragile.
There are several scenarios that could get them into the playoffs, but they all start with wins against Cleveland and next week against the New York Jets (4-11). They would also need various combinations of losses to the Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos to qualify.
In fact, the Chargers (9-6) and Broncos (9-6) both have games on Saturday, and if they win, the Dolphins could be eliminated before they even get to Cleveland.
Miami suffered a pregame hit on Saturday, with QB Tua Tagovailoa being demoted to questionable after being limited in practice this week with a hip injury. If Tagovailoa is unavailable, Tyler Huntley, who spent training camp with the Browns, will start for the fourth time this season.
The Dolphins’ playoff odds aren’t great, around 10% according to various playoff prediction sites, but manager Mike McDaniel is confident his players have one mindset and one purpose.
Concentration shouldn’t be a problem.
“This team has really experienced and fought for it. It’s not a difficult task given the situation we’re in. It’s one game in the season and we have a chance to make the playoffs,” McDaniel said. “That’s the driving force. It’s really for our locker room and our coaching staff and really wanting to play the type of football that we felt like we haven’t been able to achieve for part of the season.”
Like any team, the Dolphins have had their ups and downs. If they miss the playoffs, a 2-6 start will be their biggest regret.
Although the odds aren’t great, Tagovailoa said he and his teammates should be grateful for what’s coming.
“This is an opportunity, and I don’t think anyone on this team should take this for granted,” Tagovailoa said. He may have more insight than others given his history with concussions. “This is something we have worked very hard to get to where we are and to be able to play in the NFL.
“That was a dream in and of itself, so it’s natural to short-circuit yourself and think, ‘Oh, no, I’ll get it next year.'” Well, it’s natural to think that your career will be next year. Or how do you know there’s going to be another game? You don’t know when to consider those options. ”
The Browns are coming off a disappointing season.
This year was supposed to be the year they took another step towards the championship. Instead, they went the other way.
This will be QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s second consecutive start, but he threw two interceptions, was sacked five times and led the Browns to only one point in last week’s game against Cincinnati.
Going into that game, Thompson-Robinson said he viewed the final three games as an audition for next season. He had another full week to prepare, but the second-year QB said he’s done using his inexperience to explain away mistakes on the road.
“I’m not going to use that as an excuse anymore,” said Thompson-Robinson, who is suffering from a calf strain. “This isn’t my first time playing. I’m not a rookie anymore, so I can’t use that as an excuse. I have to be able to go out there and execute, and even if things don’t go well, I can’t use that as an excuse. , don’t make a bad play worse.”
Brooks’ backing
Jordyn Brooks is having one of the most productive seasons as a Dolphins defender.
The linebacker’s 128 total tackles are the most in a season in the last 15 years for Miami, and his three sacks make him one of only four players in the NFL to record at least three sacks and 100 tackles in each season in 2023 and 2024. He became one of us.
Signed as a free agent after four seasons in Seattle, Brooks is also the only player to record at least 100 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five passes defended and three sacks this season.
“It’s always tough going through adversity as a team early in the season,” Brooks said. Being able to play under coach (defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver) in the system and then in the system, he’s been great for us all year. ”
delicate balance
McDaniel said he spent much of this season getting adequate reps in practice while dealing with a wrist injury that star receiver Tyreek Hill is dealing with.
Hill had a poor performance against the 49ers, catching just three of seven targets for 29 yards and one touchdown. He dropped a third down on the Dolphins’ first drive and then dropped a potential TD.
Coach Hill later said the mistake was due to him missing “precious reps” with Tagovailoa in practice after being given several rest days last month.
“Wednesday’s guys definitely delivered,” Hill said. “As a leader, at some point you have to be determined and practice and be able to get some valuable reps as QB1.”
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