The Miami Dolphins are in the playoffs for the first time in six years.
Miami clinched its final playoff berth with an 11-6 victory over the American Football Confederation on Sunday. The New York Jets and New England Patriots lost to the Buffalo Bills 35-23.
The Dolphins (9-8, No. 7) travel to Buffalo next weekend to face division rival Bills (13-3, No. 2) in Super Wild Card Weekend.
To sneak into the playoffs on the final day of the regular season, the Dolphins had to play third-string quarterback (Skylar Thompson) under center. They did it with flipper skin, and Jason Sanders’ 50-yard field goal in 18 seconds proved the difference Sunday against the Jets. Miami took safety on the final play of the game, a series of sideways runs by the Jets that failed.
Dolphins are the first team to earn a playoff berth without a touchdown, according to NFL Research
Miami since 2016 Returned to the playoffs for the first time when head coach Adam Gase brought backup quarterback Matt Moore and the Dolphins to Pittsburgh for the wild-card game in his first season, their first in 21 years. three times. It was with first-year coaches (Mike McDaniel, Garth, Tonys Parano) every time.
“Well, I would say it felt great,” McDaniel said after the game. “That doesn’t mean that’s not the goal, just to get to the playoffs, however, knowing all the people involved — you’re talking about people who’ve been with the organization for over 30 years, you’re talking about people who haven’t been in the organization since 2016. Seeing the fanbase with their team going to the playoffs, you just talk about a lot of people involved, the way it happened was very satisfying.”
In their first two years with Asia The Dolphins won 21-19 at home in Week 3 when the FC East champion Bills met and lost 32-29 at Orchard Park in Week 15 as recently as that. Miami is 1-3 against the Bills in the playoffs and 0-2 at Orchard Park.
Who will be Miami’s quarterback next week remains a pressing question. Tua Tagovailoa is still in concussion protocol and McDaniel said after Sunday’s win there is still no timetable for his return. Teddy Bridgewater was active on Sunday but was sidelined with knee and finger injuries, forcing Thompson, a seventh-round pick out of Kansas, to make his second career start against the Jets . Mike Glennon was promoted from Miami’s practice squad and could appear again next week.
Any type of competition, whether it’s this year or next year, until he’s fully ready and cleared.
“There will be some question marks, but luckily this team has proven that, either way, it won’t blink at any. We have players we really trust and we will Going to Buffalo with the healthiest team and playing a really good football team.”
