The Miami Dolphins kept their playoff hopes alive with a decisive 20-3 victory over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, with Tyler Huntley stepping up as starting quarterback due to Tua Tagovailoa's hip injury. Huntley not only threw for one touchdown but also scrambled for another, showcasing his ability to lead the team when it mattered most.
With this victory, the Dolphins, now at 8-8, remain competitive in the AFC wild-card race, setting up what could be a dramatic season finale against the New York Jets. Head Coach Mike McDaniel expressed his satisfaction with Huntley, who completed 22 of 26 passes for 225 yards without any turnovers. “This was not ideal... it was a tremendous outing for (Huntley). It showed how far Snoop has come,” McDaniel noted, highlighting Huntley's growth since being signed by the Dolphins.
Despite being sidelined, Tagovailoa supported his teammates from the sidelines. His status for the upcoming game remains uncertain. Huntley’s strong performance has left options open for Miami as playoff aspirations linger. For them to secure a postseason berth, they must beat the Jets and simultaneously hope for the Denver Broncos to lose at home to the Kansas City Chiefs.
“For the first time... I’m about to be a huge Chiefs fan,” exclaimed Dolphins tackle Calais Campbell, encapsulating the mixed emotions players feel about this playoff scenario. If Miami manages to enter the playoffs, Campbell boldly stated, “And if it does happen, look out, we’re coming.”
Conversely, the Browns are facing another dismal season, dropping to 3-13 with this latest loss and suffering their fifth consecutive defeat. Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson struggled, finishing with 170 yards, throwing one interception and losing a fumble. With the offense plagued by mistakes, Browns Coach Kevin Stefanski emphasized the importance of improvement, noting the team’s shifting focus as they prepare for the offseason.
“I have no comment on [the need for changes],” said Stefanski, hinting at the undercurrent of uncertainty surrounding the team's future after failing to build on last season's playoff appearance. With the Browns holding the No. 3 overall pick for the upcoming NFL Draft, they may now be considering serious changes, particularly at the quarterback position.
Back to the game, the Dolphins weathered challenging conditions, as wind and rain hampered both offenses. Huntley’s rushing touchdown early in the third quarter provided the Dolphins with the lead they'd maintain for the remainder of the game. Tyreek Hill, with nine catches for 105 yards, praised Huntley, saying, “He was just making plays.”
Meanwhile, Miami's Jason Sanders contributed two field goals to the scoreboard, solidifying his place as the franchise record-holder for the most consecutive field goals made, now extended to 25.
While the focus shifts to the last regular-season game against the Jets for the Dolphins, the Browns prepare for their matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, knowing it could potentially impact their standing and future strategies.
Dolphins fans are now left hoping for two favorable outcomes: victory against the Jets and the Chiefs doing their part against the Broncos. Indeed, the stakes have never been higher as the Dolphins gear up for what could be an exciting finish to the season.
Meanwhile, injuries continue to impact the overall picture for both teams. The Dolphins were forced to adjust after losing left tackle Terron Armstead to injury, creating challenges along their offensive line. The Browns, too, faced setbacks, with several players, including cornerback Denzel Ward and running back Jerome Ford limited due to injuries sustained throughout the match.
The outcome of the game leaves fans and analysts pondering how both teams will maneuver their respective paths going forward, especially as the playoffs loom just out of reach for some and within grasp for others.