On Sunday, the Miami Dolphins acquired their season again on monitor. After an embarrassing defeat the week earlier than on Monday night time during which they let a win slip through their fingers in opposition to the Tennessee Titans, they stomped the New York Jets at residence, 30-0.
Even with MVP candidate Tyreek Hill sidelined with an ankle damage, the Dolphins put a hurting on that stout Jets protection. At halftime, they have been up, 24-0. Within the first half, Miami outgained New York 197 yards to 4. That’s proper. The Jets managed to realize a complete of 4 yards in 24 minutes of sport motion. They gained 99 yards within the second half, however have been nonetheless not in a position to put factors on the board. Zach Wilson acquired damage early, so it was the Trevor Siemian present for a lot of the afternoon.
Whereas the Jets have been clearly undermanned, they have been nonetheless taking part in in opposition to a division rival. Additionally they had an out of doors likelihood at making the playoffs following a win in Week 14 in opposition to the Houston Texans.
No wins are small within the NFL. Groups sport plan all week ,17 instances per 12 months. Each a type of video games holds huge significance. Additionally, responding after an embarrassing displaying the week prior is proof that the Dolphins are one of many higher groups within the league. Nevertheless, the Jets entered that sport with out a viable beginning quarterback. It’s unlikely that Miami may have a postseason matchup in opposition to a group struggling that mightily at an important place.
Many groups the Dolphins beat have that drawback. It is without doubt one of the causes that Monday night time loss left such a pronounced scar. They’ve misplaced 4 video games this season to the Titans, Buffalo Bills, Philadelphia Eagles, and Kansas City Chiefs. The subsequent two video games on the Dolphins’ schedule are in opposition to arguably the 2 greatest groups within the NFL — the Dallas Cowboys and Baltimore Ravens. They then end the season with a house showdown in opposition to the Payments.
If the Dolphins need to host no less than one playoff sport, they should do one thing they haven’t accomplished all season: Beat the very best groups within the league. The one potential playoff group they’ve crushed this season was their 70-20 mauling of the Denver Broncos. At the moment, the Broncos have been 0-3 and thought of one of many worst groups within the NFL. They’ve since turned their season round.
For the following three weeks, the Dolphins can be taking part in soccer in opposition to groups that aren’t solely postseason caliber, but in addition seeking to solidify their positioning. The Ravens are attempting to clinch the No. 1 seed within the AFC and the Cowboys can be battling for an NFC East title. The Payments may want that Week 18 win to make sure that they even get into the playoffs. If the Dolphins lose to each the Cowboys and Ravens, that sport in opposition to Buffalo will doubtless be for the AFC East title.
Good for the Dolphins that they responded after their Monday night time meltdown. They performed in opposition to a division opponent and wanted that win to offer them 10 on the 12 months. Whereas they haven’t mathematically clinched a playoff spot, 10 wins ought to be ok to get them in even when they lose these subsequent three video games.
But when they do end the common season with three defeats to those good groups, they are going to have each motive to play the “nobody believes in us,” card within the playoffs. If the Dolphins don’t win no less than one in every of these video games, nobody outdoors of that locker room and their family members will imagine they’ve an opportunity at a deep playoff run.
