How Dolphins can make playoffs and when. Twelve notes, including startling comment from Hill

How Dolphins can make playoffs and when. Twelve notes, including startling comment from hill

The Dolphins kept their postseason hopes alive with a 29-17 victory against the 49ers on Sunday, and they’ll have at least some clarity before facing Cleveland next Sunday (4:05 p.m., CBS). The Dolphins will make the playoffs if they win at Cleveland and at the Jets, and one of the following three things occurs: ▪ Two Chargers losses and two Denver losses. The Chargers will play in both New England and Las Vegas. The Broncos had two losses in Denver and one in Indianapolis. They will play at Cincinnati and at home versus Kansas City. The Colts have an easy schedule, with games against the Giants and at home against Jacksonville. However, the Colts, who defeated Jacksonville on Sunday, have yet to win three consecutive games this season.

▪ Two Chargers losses and one Indianapolis loss. Miami has no control over its own destiny as it prepares for Sunday’s showdown in Cleveland.

However, the Dolphins might be eliminated from playoff contention before the Cleveland game because the Chargers and Broncos play Saturday and the Colts play at 1 p.m. Sunday.

If the Chargers win at New England at 1 p.m. Saturday and the Broncos win at Cincinnati at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, the Dolphins are out of playoff contention.

The Dolphins would also be eliminated from playoff contention if they lost to Cleveland or the Jets. The Dolphins would have the tiebreaker over the Chargers (9-6) or Broncos (9-6) or the Bengals (7-8), as Miami would be assured of having a better conference record. The Dolphins would lose a tiebreaker to the Colts due to Indianapolis’ victory against Miami in October. Twelve quick notes: ▪ If the Dolphins win in Cleveland and the Broncos lose in Cincinnati, it would benefit Miami if Denver’s Week 18 game against the Chiefs holds significance for Kansas City.

In order for that to happen, the Bills would need to defeat the Jets and Patriots in the following two weeks, while the Chiefs would have to lose at Pittsburgh on Christmas. In that scenario, the Chiefs would need to win in Denver to secure the No. 1 seed over Buffalo, who have the tiebreaker with Kansas City. The Dolphins’ win on Sunday, along with the Jets’ defeat to the Rams, secured second place in the AFC East. That means Miami will face the AFC West’s second-place team (Denver or the Chargers) at home next season, as well as the AFC South’s second-place team, Indianapolis.

Tony Romo of CBS said, “Miami is going to be great next year.” They are reuniting with their men. They’re going to be fantastic.” ▪ Tua Tagovailoa has 100 touchdown passes, 44 interceptions, and a lifetime passer rating of 98. Despite finishing 22 for 34 for 215 yards and a 92 rating, Tagovailoa fell short of becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to complete 70% of his passes in seven consecutive games. Zach Sieler’s 6.5 sacks are the most by an NFL defensive lineman over the past six games; he had 10 sacks last season and has the second-most by an interior defensive lineman since 2023.

Chop Robinson has six sacks this season and blocked a potential 49ers touchdown pass on Sunday. Holding penalties continue to be extremely detrimental. Rob Jones, the left guard, committed two, negating two first-down runs. Aaron Brewer, the center, made a mistake that prevented Tyreek Hill from getting a first down. The Dolphins will meet Dorian Thompson-Robinson, not Jameis Winston, in Cleveland. Despite throwing for 157 yards and two interceptions in a 24-6 loss, the Browns have stuck with Thompson. Thompson-Robinson will start against Miami, according to coach Kevin Stefanski, assuming he avoids injury this week.

▪ What’s the best development of the day? The struggling running game came to life, gaining 166 yards on 5.5 per carry. De’Von Achane finished with 17 for 120 (7.1 per carry), including a 50-yard touchdown run. Raheem Mostert had eight carries for 31 yards. ▪ Miami moved to 17-4 in their last 21 games against teams with a winning percentage worse than.500 during the McDaniel era. They have a 1-10 record in their previous 11 games against clubs above.500. ▪ It’s good to see Jeff Wilson Jr. get a chance in short yardage; he converted a third-and-two rushing attempt. He gained 12 yards on two carries after having only one since September.

Tyreek Hill, who caught three passes for 29 yards and a touchdown, faulted himself for two dropped catches and one tipped throw. He suggested that he quit taking veteran’s rest days. This season, he has typically had Wednesdays off, as have Calais Campbell, Terron Armstead, and, on occasion, Jordan Poyer. “I need to be able to get those valuable reps with the quarterback,” he told me. “We need those valuable reps Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. I entirely blame myself for failing to notice the ball [on one dropped touchdown].

“I’ll bounce back. I am human. The NFL is not easy. I’m aware that I’ve previously made it appear easy. But this year has been challenging.” McDaniel called practice reps a “imperfect formula.” You’re attempting to deliver the best performance on game day. If the player is having a bad reaction to the rest, you adapt.” McDaniel reported that linebacker Jordyn Brooks “took a pretty good shot” to the quadriceps and left knee, but it does not appear to be a joint or structural injury. “We’ll see how long it takes” to recover, he said. He stated that he does not know the seriousness of Kendall Fuller’s knee injury.

▪ The Dolphins alternated Isaiah Wynn and Liam Eichenberg at right guard, according to McDaniel

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