Dolphins quiet critics with comeback win over Dallas, extending Cowboys’ road failures
Tired of hearing about it, coach Mike McDaniel said he told players he gave them clearance to use an expletive to tell off reporters who mention that losing record leading into the game against Dallas.
The victory quieted the critics.
According to McDaniel, “It’s really hard to ignore the noise, so to speak, or not hear it.” “I believe you will hear it. People can’t possibly be unaware of all that we are incapable of achieving. However, I’m proud of this team because, despite what others may think, you have to develop a mindset where your only concern is carrying out your duties and sharing accountability for them with your colleagues. And when you think about anything else, you become sidetracked and forget what’s important. This, in my opinion, is a huge victory for the team because it’s always significant when you do something that you know deep down that you’re capable of.
Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and the rest of these Dolphins can’t let up now that they’ve wrapped up a postseason berth for the second straight year.
Next week, they face Baltimore (11-3) for the AFC’s No. 1 seed. If the Ravens beat Miami, and Buffalo beats New England, the Bills-Dolphins matchup in Week 18 will decide the AFC East. So, the Dolphins can go from playing for a first-round bye and home-field advantage one week to fighting for the division.
“I’m so proud of this team for continuing to come in day in, day out and just work on their craft,” said Tagovailoa, who engineered the winning drive. “I don’t think anyone is necessarily worried about what anyone else is saying outside of the guys in the building. Everyone has confidence in each other and themselves. I don’t think winning these games does anything more or anything less. But it sort of reiterates the work that we put in and gives us the satisfaction that the work that we do put in pays off.”
The Cowboys fell to 0-4 on the road against winning teams after previously losing to San Francisco, Philadelphia and Buffalo.
Dak Prescott and the offense again cost themselves with mistakes. They drove to the Dolphins 1 on the opening drive but fullback Hunter Luepke fumbled the handoff. They didn’t get going until Prescott led a go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter but the defense couldn’t make a play.
Dallas (10-5) remains in the race for the NFC East title. The Eagles (10-4) still must beat the Giants (5-9) on Monday or in Week 18 or the Cowboys would win the division by winning their final two games against Detroit and Washington.
If the Cowboys don’t surpass Philadelphia, they’ll have to get their first road win against a winning team this season in the playoffs to advance.
“To think you’re ever going to win a championship, you need these games, especially on the road,” Dallas coach Mike McCarthy said.
Seattle (8-7) and Green Bay (7-8) rallied for must-wins Sunday and the Lions (11-4) won their first division title in 30 years.
Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers (8-7) continued their impressive run with a convincing 30-12 win over reeling Jacksonville. Tampa Bay is one win away from securing its third straight NFC South.
The Jaguars (8-7) remain in control of the AFC South because both the Colts (8-7) and Texans (8-7) lost. The Browns (10-5) got another standout performance from Joe Flacco in their win at Houston.
Denver needed to win this game to improve their chances of making the playoffs, and Russell Wilson and the Broncos (7-8) suffered the worst defeat of the week. With two seconds left, Chad Ryland’s 56-yard field goal gave the lowly Patriots a 26-23 victory over the Broncos.
Three games involving four of the top clubs on Christmas Day will conclude Week 16.
With a victory over Las Vegas (6-8), the Chiefs (9-5) can clinch their ninth consecutive AFC West title. In order to keep hold of their prospects of winning the division, the Eagles must defeat the Giants. The Ravens against 49ers game serves as a possible Super Bowl preview.
Two weeks remain before a puzzle of the playoffs is finally pieced together.
Russell Wilson and the Broncos (7-8) suffered the worst loss of the week in a game Denver had to win to increase its playoff hopes. The lowly Patriots upset the Broncos 26-23 on Chad Ryland’s 56-yard field goal with two seconds remaining.
Week 16 wraps up with three games on Christmas Day featuring four first-place teams.
The Chiefs (9-5) can wrap up their eighth straight AFC West with a win over Las Vegas (6-8). The Eagles need to beat the Giants to maintain control of their division hopes. The nightcap is a potential Super Bowl preview with the Ravens taking on the 49ers.
A jumbled playoff puzzle is still two weeks away from being set.
