Miami Dolphins keep playoff hopes alive with AFC East win
The Dolphins still remain on the outside looking in, but they kept their playoff hopes alive with a slugfest win over the Jets.
It wasn’t pretty for the Miami Dolphins, but they were able to hold off the New York Jets in their second meeting this year, bringing their record to 5-4. The loss for the Jets evaporates any playoff hopes they had, and keeps a heartbeat for the Dolphins chances. It will still take a letdown from the Patriots to have any hope of catching them in the division, however. New England just won their sixth in a row in their showdown with the Packers. All AFC East teams were in action this weekend, so let’s take a look at how each played out.
Miami came away with the victory, but they’re not scaring anyone that remains on their schedule with this victory. In fact, if their offense doesn’t figure out a way to score more points, they may only be able to beat Buffalo the rest of the way. The Dolphins finished with just 13 points, and 7 of those came off of a Jerome Baker interception that would turn out to be the game winner.
Similar to every game this season, Miami couldn’t escape this game without an injury. Laremy Tunsil left the game prematurely with a knee injury, but he informed reporters after the game that it was not serious. Hopefully, that is true. The defense really gave Miami the victory in this one as they kept the Jets out of the end zone, and intercepted 4 Sam Darnold passes.
Brock Osweiler looked terrible yet again, and if Miami’s offense has another performance like that next week it could get very ugly at Lambeau Field against the Packers. With that said, they’re 5-4 and just a half game out of the final playoff spot. Take that as you will though because the Dolphins do not look anything like a playoff team.
New York Jets
Sam Darnold‘s troubles continue, but the Jets hope that it is just growing pains that the majority of rookies go through. Surprisingly, both Quincy Enunwa and Robby Anderson were active for this game, but it didn’t have much of an impact. The field at Hard Rock Stadium was an absolute mess heading into this game, after Saturday night’s game between the University of Miami and Duke saw massive rainstorms.
It was widely expected that because of the conditions, and Miami’s poor run defense as of late, that the Jets would try to run the ball at will. They did not find much success, however, totaling just 73 yards on the day. The Jets have now lost three in a row, and the playoffs are out of sight, but they get a great opportunity to end their losing streak with a home matchup against Buffalo.
Buffalo Bills
Nathan Peterman received another start this week so a pick six was imminent against a strong Bears defense. Chicago’s defense had also returned a fumble 65 yards for another score, and this got ugly very quick. The Bears ran away with it 41-9, and Buffalo can’t wait for the season to be over with at this point. Both them and the Oakland Raiders are racing to see who is the worst team in the league. As of right now, it’s the Raiders but Buffalo could go winless the rest of the season. They visit the Jets next weekend in a very unenthusiastic division game.
New England Patriots
The Patriots were in yet ANOTHER primetime game. This time matched up with the Green Bay Packers at Gillette Stadium in what was built as the battle of the G.O.A.T.’s pegged between Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. New England declared both Rob Gronkowski and Sony Michel inactive ahead of the game, but in typical Patriots fashion, it did nothing to affect the flow of their offense.
To start the game on their opening possession, the Patriots moved at an uptempo pace that really caught the Packers defense off guard. They capped it off with a James White 8-yard touchdown run, on a possession that took just 3 minutes and 20 seconds. Without Gronkowski, it opened up the opportunity for Josh Gordon, who continues to get better with his new team. Gordon sealed the game for the Patriots with a 55-yard touchdown reception in the 4th quarter that put New England up for good, 31-17.
With the absence of Michel, the Patriots used Cordarrelle Patterson frequently in the backfield, and they never skipped a beat. Patterson finished the game with 11 carries for 61 yards, and a touchdown. The Packers had kept it close for the majority of the game, and it was tied at 17 entering the 4th. Gillette Stadium is a tough place to play, however, and in the end, the Packers woes on the road continued. New England is now 5-0 at home, but they will travel next week to Tennessee to take on the Titans.