The Miami Dolphins are on the outside in the AFC playoffs. They need help and a win over the Cleveland Browns to have a chance

The Miami Dolphins are on the outside in the AFC playoffs. They need help and a win over the Cleveland Browns to have a chance

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) targets a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Rebecca Blackwell/AP


The Miami Dolphins need plenty of outside help to make the AFC playoffs. But first they have to help themselves.

With no margin for error, the Dolphins (7-8) will be hoping for at least another week with a win Sunday over the Browns (3-12), whose season was canceled weeks ago and who are on the verge of another upset in the postseason hunt to stay offseason.

For Miami, this is another must-win situation that’s no different than the one a week ago Dolphins beat San Francisco. But with only two games left, the Dolphins’ bubble is woefully fragile.

There are several scenarios that could lead them to a playoff spot, but all start with wins in Cleveland and at the New York Jets (4-11) next week. They will also need various combinations of losses to the Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos to get into the field.

In fact, the Chargers (9-6) and Broncos (9-6) both play on Saturday, and if they win, the Dolphins could be eliminated before they even get to Cleveland.

Miami suffered a pregame setback on Saturday when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was downgraded to doubtful because of a hip injury that limited him from practice this week. If Tagovailoa is unable to play, Tyler Huntley, who spent training camp with the Browns, will make his fourth start this season.

The Dolphins’ playoff chances aren’t particularly high – about 10%, according to various playoff prediction sites – but coach Mike McDaniel is confident his players have a single mindset and a single goal.

Concentration shouldn’t be a problem.

“This team really went through everything and fought for it. This is not a difficult task considering how we did it. A one-game season and our playoff chances are at stake,” McDaniel said. “That’s been a driving force – really for our locker room and our coaching staff, really wanting to play the type of football that we felt like we didn’t achieve in parts of the season.”

Like any team, the Dolphins have had their share of ups and downs. If they miss the playoffs, a 2-6 start will be one of their biggest regrets.

Although their chances aren’t great, Tagovailoa said he and his teammates should be grateful for what lies ahead.

“It’s an opportunity, and I don’t think any of us on our team should take it for granted,” said Tagovailoa, who may have more perspective than others given his history with concussions. “This is something we have worked extremely hard for to be in the position we are in now to be able to play in the NFL.”

“That was a dream in itself, so shut yourself down and say, ‘Oh no, we’ll get it next year.’ How do you even know there will be a next year for your career or a next game for you? You just never know when you’ll be weighing these options.

The Browns are capping off a season full of disappointments.

This would be the year they took another step toward a championship. Instead they drove backwards.

It will be the second straight start for QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who threw two interceptions, was sacked five times and led the Browns to just one score in last week’s 24-6 loss at Cincinnati.

Heading into this game, Thompson-Robinson said he viewed the last three games as a prelude to next season. He still had a full week to prepare, but the second-year QB said he was tired of using his inexperience to explain away mistakes.

“I’m not going to use that as an excuse anymore,” said Thompson-Robinson, who is dealing with a calf strain. “This isn’t the first time I’ve played. I’m no longer a newbie, so I can’t use that as an excuse. I have to go out there and be able to do something and if things don’t go right, don’t make a bad game worse.

Brooks’ Boost

Jordyn Brooks is having one of the most productive seasons for a Dolphins defenseman.

The linebacker’s 128 total tackles are the most in a season for Miami in the last 15 years, and his three sacks make him one of four players in the NFL with at least three sacks and 100 tackles each in the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Signed as a free agent after four seasons in Seattle, Brooks is also the only player with at least 100 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, five passes defended and three sacks this season.

“It can always be difficult going through some adversity as a team early in the season,” Brooks said, “but I feel like as the season progressed it was a great first year playing with some of my guys.” I have the opportunity to play with the system and then play in it, under coach (defensive coordinator Anthony) Weaver, he’s been great for us all year.”

Delicate balance

McDaniel said much of this season has been about dealing with a wrist injury that star receiver Tyreek Hill has been dealing with while making sure he gets adequate reps in practice.

Hill had a poor performance against the 49ers, catching just three of seven targets for 29 yards and a touchdown. He had a third-down drop on the Dolphins’ first drive and later dropped a potential touchdown.

Hill later said the mistakes were due to a lack of “valuable representation” with Tagovailoa in training after he was given some days of rest last month.

“Those reps from Wednesday are definitely showing,” Hill said. “As a leader, I just have to be able to bite the bullet at some point and practice and get those valuable reps with QB1.”

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