The Miami Dolphins kept their playoff hopes alive with a convincing 20-3 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, showcasing resilience and determination without their starting quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa.
Tyler Huntley, the Dolphins' backup quarterback, filled the starting role admirably, completing 22 of his 26 passes for 225 yards and one touchdown. He also made significant contributions on the ground, scrambling for another touchdown and finishing with 52 rushing yards. This victory not only improved the Dolphins’ record to 8-8 but also left them with hopes for the postseason as they approach their season finale against the New York Jets.
Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel expressed his pride in Huntley’s performance, stating, “This was not ideal... but it was a tremendous outing for Huntley.” The Dolphins now need to win against the Jets and hope for the Denver Broncos to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs to secure their spot in the playoffs.
Despite the exciting result, the Dolphins had to overcome significant challenges. The team struggled with penalties, racking up 11 infractions for 94 yards, which often put them at disadvantageous positions. Yet, their defense rose to the occasion, effectively stifling the Browns' offense, led by quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson, who completed only 24 of 47 passes for 170 yards and threw one interception.
On the other side, the Browns experienced yet another rough outing, marking their fifth consecutive loss and leaving them at 3-13 for the season. With the team already out of playoff contention, questions about coach Kevin Stefanski's future loom large as they reflect on their worst season since 2017.
Huntley's standout performance was particularly significant as he had struggled earlier this season when called upon to fill the gap left by injuries. “For him to get cut, it was our blessing picking him up,” noted Dolphins’ defensive tackle Calais Campbell, reflecting on Huntley’s season and his previous time with the Browns.
The game was played under challenging weather conditions, with windy and wet circumstances contributing to both teams' difficulties. This proved particularly costly for the Browns, who saw their problems compounded by their own mistakes, including multiple penalties and turnovers. Safety Grant Delpit described the situation as “pretty ridiculous” considering their aspirations coming to the season.
Nonetheless, the Dolphins were able to maintain composure when it mattered most. A particularly pivotal moment came early in the third quarter when Huntley executed a 13-yard touchdown run, extending Miami’s lead. His scoring followed one of Miami's few third-down conversions of the game marked by its otherwise inconsistent movement on offense. Dolphins’ wide receiver Tyreek Hill also had a solid outing, catching nine passes for 105 yards, serving as Huntley’s primary target.
Despite the victory, the Dolphins face uncertainty going forward, especially with Tagovailoa's injury status still unclear. McDaniel acknowledged the situation, stating, “From a medical perspective, it was not an option for him to play today.” Tagovailoa’s consistent absences now raise concerns about his long-term ability to stay on the field.
The Browns struggled offensively, marked by Jerry Jeudy’s performance, who had 12 receptions for 94 yards yet regrettably dropped several key passes. Jeudy echoed his frustration, stating, “The plays you drop are going to be the one’s in your head... unfortunately, we didn’t come out with the win.” His team's inability to capitalize on opportunities put them at the mercy of Miami's rapidly growing confidence.
With both teams heading toward the final week of the regular season, the Dolphins will face the Jets next Sunday, with everything on the line for their playoff aspirations. Meanwhile, the Browns will prepare for their matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, searching for answers as they look toward the offseason.
While Miami celebrated their key victory, they are well aware of the challenges they face next week. With their eyes set firmly on the postseason, they understand the importance of maintaining focus and discipline to overcome their earlier struggles as well as those presented by the Jets.
The culmination of their efforts will tell whether they can capitalize on Huntley’s momentous performance and will finally end what has been anything but straightforward this season.