On Sunday, The Miami Dolphins gave a holiday season surprise to the world. The team secured its position in the NFL Playoffs for the second consecutive season after defeating the Dallas Cowboys. Tua Tagovailoa said in an interview that the team didn’t just work diligently during training camp but throughout the NFL’s offseason program.
Let’s delve into Sunday’s Dolphins vs. Cowboys game day in detail.
Can The Miami Dolphins Make It To The Playoffs?
How The Miami Dolphins Won
The Dolphins clinched a playoff spot at Hard Rock Stadium by defeating the Dallas Cowboys with a 22-20 score. Both teams entered Sunday’s matchup as the top two scoring offenses at 10-4. However, Miami’s 13-7 took a lead into halftime as a defense stole the spotlight.
The game was intense until the fourth quarter. Although the Dolphins led most of the second half, they struggled to put the Cowboys away.
That said, Dallas gave their best shot during the game. Initially, the Cowboys took a 7-3 lead with a 49-yard touchdown pass to CeeDee Lamb. He caught six passes for 118 yards in the first quarter, including a 49-yard score.
Nevertheless, Miami bounced back.
Tagovailoa threw for 293 yards win the game and, at the end of the second quarter, he launched a touchdown pass to Raheem Mostert. It was Mosert’s NFL-leading 21st touchdown of the season. Further, Tyreek Hill led the receiving charge by grabbing nine passes for 99 yards.
With hardly three minutes remaining, the game took a drastic turn when Dallas took a 20-19 lead by scoring ten unanswered points. Tagovailoa didn’t stop, however. He led a 12-play, 64-yard drive to set up Jason Sanders’ game-winning field goal.
The last 16 seconds pushed the game in Miami’s favor. Sanders’ game-winning 29-yard field goal added to his total of five fields and gave the Dolphins a spot in the NFL playoffs.
Stars of The Game
Of course, it’s Jason Sanders. He started with a career-long 57-yard field goal in the first and ended with a game-winner as time expired to grab the two-point win. In addition, he added 52, 54, and 35-yard kicks earlier in the match. Sander’s extraordinary gameplay has been a game-changer for the Dolphins.
This winning kick reminded Sanders of his 53-yarder during his senior season against Tulsa in New Mexico. It was his first game-winning field goal.
Appreciation from the Head Coach
Securing the playoff berth made Head Coach Mike McDaniel proud of his team’s victory against the Dallas Cowboys. According to McDaniel, it’s a big win for the Dolphins.
The coach also added that when a team is successful after facing criticism, it becomes a “pretty satisfying” experience for everyone. He was proud of his team’s efforts.
Up Next
On Sunday, Dec 31, the final leg of the regular season will be between the Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens. Then, they have their regular-season finale against Buffalo in Week 18 at Hard Rock Stadium.
For the first time since 2008, the Dolphins can earn the AFC East crown by winning either of these two matchups.
Miami Dolphins Betting Insights
The odds of winning for the Miami Dolphins are high. Dolphins team ranks best in total offense, while it’s fourth-best in total defense.
There are Florida online casinos with great betting odds on upcoming Miami matchups. Industry experts expect the Miami Dolphins to be one of the favorites in the playoffs who can take home the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Scenarios of AFC’s No. 1 Seed Chances
The Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens have the best odds of finishing as the No. 1 Seed during the NFL playoffs.
The easiest way for Baltimore to clinch the AFC’s No.1 seed is to edge out the Dolphins in Week 17. It’ll also cap the maximum number of wins to 12 for the Miami team.
Additionally, the Ravens can still have a chance to secure the top seed even if the Dolphins win the game. It’s possible if the Baltimore team wins the Week 18 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
For the Dolphins, winning the remaining two games is crucial to surpass the Ravens for the top-seed race.
However, it won’t be a cakewalk for Miami. The confidence level for the Baltimore Ravens is at its peak after smashing the San Francisco 49ers. If the Dolphins crack the winning code, they’ll get the edge in the league on defeating the Ravens.
FAQs
1. Are the Miami Dolphins in the playoffs in 2023?
Yes, the Miami Dolphins secured their spot in the NFL playoffs in 2023 with their 22-20 victory over Cowboys Dallas. Five field goals by Jason Sanders helped the team win the game and enter the playoffs.
2. Do the Dolphins have a chance to go to the Super Bowl?
Industry experts believe the Miami Dolphins team has the third-best odds to make the Super Bowl. The oddsmakers predict the team has an 11.8% chance of winning the Super Bowl, with their current odds at +750.
3. Have the Dolphins ever lost a Super Bowl?
The Miami Dolphins lost the Super Bowl three times: Super Bowl VI (1971), Super Bowl XVII (1982), and Super Bowl XIX (1984).
Wrapping It Up
The nail-biting Miami Dolphins vs. Dallas Cowboys game was worth the watch on Christmas Eve. The Dolphins have won 11 games for the first time since 2008 after edging out the Cowboys.
Watching how the Dolphins perform in the upcoming playoffs will be an exciting experience.
Main Image: Jim Rassol / USA TODAY NETWORK
