Miami Dolphins’ reward for backing into playoffs? No. 2-seeded Buffalo Bills| Opinion
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MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – The good news for the Miami Dolphins: They’re in the playoffs.
The Dolphins needed a win over the New York Jets and a loss by the New England Patriots to get into the postseason.
Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders nailed a 50-yard field goal with 18 seconds left, and Miami forced a safety in the closing seconds to beat the Jets 11-6 at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. The Buffalo Bills defeated the Patriots 35-23.
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Miami will earn its first playoff berth since 2016, and third in the last 21 years.
And the Dolphins’ reward?
A trip up to Buffalo next week to play their AFC East rivals who finished the regular season with a 13-3 record.
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The Dolphins, earning the No. 7 seed in the AFC playoffs, will visit the No. 2-seeded Bills in the first round, facing them for the third time this season. The teams split their series this season.
Hey, beggars can’t be choosers.
So, congrats.
The Dolphins’ season was on the verge of a collapse before their win over the Jets. But the reasons they fell flat, losing five straight games after an 8-3 start a, are still very much apparent.
And it doesn’t make this playoff berth feel like much of an accomplishment.
The Dolphins offense struggled mightily with starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa sidelined for the second straight game after his second documented concussion suffered on Dec. 25.
Third-string quarterback Skylar Thompson started against the Jets in place of Teddy Bridgewater, who broke a finger last week. He finished 20 of 31 passing for 152 yards with no interceptions or touchdowns, the Jets’ pass rush hurting his ability to to see or hit the Dolphins’ playmakers down the field. The team converted 4 of 13 third downs and had 302 total yards of offense.
It’s unclear whether the Dolphins will attempt to bring back Tagovailoa for the playoffs. He was instrumental in Miami’s 8-3 start, just as he was part of the blame for Miami’s demise in recent weeks.
Tagovailoa gives Miami’s offense the best chance, but his health is by far the most important concern for the Dolphins’ future.
Even more than this playoff berth.
With the game on the line, Thompson completed two passes to receiver Jaylen Waddle and got Miami in position for their go-ahead field goal that gave coach Mike McDaniel a 9-8 record in his first season in Miami.
The Jets, with former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco at quarterback, were unable to spoil Miami’s day, as coach Robert Saleh finished his second season with a 7-9 record and no playoff berth.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miami Dolphins’ reward for backing into playoffs? No. 2-seeded Buffalo Bills| Opinion