Phin Phanatic
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Miami Dolphins set to continue their magic against the Vikings on Sunday

By Zachery Evans

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 25: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball after making a catch in the third quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - NOVEMBER 25: Adam Thielen #19 of the Minnesota Vikings runs with the ball after making a catch in the third quarter of the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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The Miami Dolphins will take on the Minnesota Vikings this Sunday in a battle of two “miracle” teams with playoff implications.

Two cities, two miracles, and two teams desperately needing another to make the playoffs. You’ll remember last year’s Minnesota Miracle when Case Keenum with 10 seconds left in regulation threw a 61 yard pass to Stefon Diggs. Marcus Williams of the New Orleans Saints went to tackle Diggs and missed him completely. Diggs walked into the End zone for the touchdown and won the game 29-24 in the Divisional round of the playoffs.

This past week another NFL miracle play happened in Miami. The Miami Miracle happened when Ryan Tannehill threw across the middle to Kenny Stills, Stills pitched it to Devante Parker, and then Parker pitched it to Kenyan Drake who took it to the house for the 34-33 win over the New England Patriots.

Needless to say both are pretty incredible plays. The Minnesota Vikings might have meant a little more since it was a playoff game, but the Miami Dolphins game kept Miami in playoff contention.
This week between two lucky, or you could say miraculous teams are in need of yet another miracle. The Vikings are 6-6-1 and are just barely hanging onto their sixth spot in the playoffs. Meanwhile the Dolphins are 7-6 on the outside looking in behind the Indianapolis Colts and Baltimore Ravens.

To say this game means everything to these two teams is an understatement. If Minnesota loses they could be out of the playoffs, if Miami loses they would drop out of a four-way tie with the Ravens, Colts, and Tennessee Titans.

Who needs the miracle to save their season more? The answer is both. A loss will almost automatically eliminate any chance of playoff contention and end the losing teams season.
This will by far be the Dolphins hardest test in these last three games. On the road against a playoff team this is make or break for the Dolphins. Tannehill looked good against New England 14-19 for 265 yard and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions.

If Miami wants a shot at winning this game Tannehill must step up and be the leader everyone Miami has wanted him to be. This is his time to shine and if he can get a win on Sunday and wins out and makes the playoffs he will be considered a hero in Miami.

The fact that this beat up Dolphins squad is still in the hunt for a playoff spot is a miracle in and of itself. It just speaks to the culture change that Adam Gase has brought to Miami of next man up and no excuses type of mentality that has brought this team to this point.

Who gets the win on Sunday and has yet another miracle to save their season? The Vikings are angry after what Seattle did two them and have one of the best wide receiver duos in the league with Diggs, and Adam Thielen. The Dolphins are coming off a huge momentum swing and could play better because of that. What it’ll come down to is can Xavien Howard play to at least slow down Thielen or Diggs. If not it will be hard for Miami to win without their pro bowl caliber cornerback.

Prediction: Miami wins 24-21 Tannehill throws for 100 yards and two touchdowns, and Howard plays, shuts down Thielen and escapes Minnesota with another miracle.

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