Playoff football is back for the Miami Dolphins. And here is why it is time to believe.
Sunday’s early game sees Mike McDaniel’s men take on their AFC East rivals for the third time this season. The series is tied at 1-1 after Miami’s Week Three win and Buffalo’s Week 15 win.
At this stage, it does not matter who beat who. In the end, only one team can advance to the Divisional Round. A Miami win would see them face a road game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Sure, this is a hard task, but if you want to do well in the postseason, you have to beat the best teams. Their road to what would be a surprise playoff run starts in Buffalo. There is a huge elephant in the room.
Will Tua Play Playoff Football?
This is a burning question on fans’ lips. Will the 2020 fifth-overall pick play in the playoffs for Miami?
It is reported that he wants to play, but who doesn’t? His health should be the number one priority, and the team doctors have due diligence to think of his health before the team wins.
His status for the game is questionable, and McDaniel has certainly not given anything away. He said: “When he’s cleared to practice, he will practice. Until then, I’m not doing anything”.
The value of Tua has been evident when both Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson have played. They have mostly struggled as Miami stumbled into the postseason.
Tagovailoa has had his down moments but has massively improved this season under the guidance of McDaniel. He has thrown for 3 548 yards, 25 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. This has been echoed by star wide receiver Tyreek Hill. He said: “If Tua comes back it’s going to be something special because when he’s in there, it’s different.”
Miami will need Tua playing if they stand any chance of beating the Bills unless Teddy can turn into playoff Nick Foles.
Crazier Things Have Happened
Miami is an underdog. There is no denying it, and it would take the biggest optimist to think otherwise.
However, this is the beauty of the NFL. Crazier things have happened in the postseason. Avoiding the cliché answer of “No one expected the Bengals to make a Super Bowl”, there have been plenty of other shocks in the playoffs that should give Dolphins fans hope.
Of course, there was the Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl run that ended in glory as they beat the New England, Patriots, 41-33 in Super Bowl 52 at Minnesota’s US Bank Stadium. This is one that should give Dolphins fans the most hope. They were the underdog in every game despite being a number one seed. This is due to the injury to Carson Wentz. Foles, a career backup, took his place and guided the Eagles to their first Super Bowl title.
The New York Giants defeated the Patriots in the Super Bowl twice in the space of four seasons, both times as the underdog. Of course, no one expected the Patriots to beat the Rams in the early 2000s as they won their first of six Super Bowls. The Tennessee Titans shocked the one-seed Baltimore Ravens in the playoffs three seasons ago, and the 7-9 Seahawks earned a surprise win over the 10-point favorite New Orleans Saints.
Whilst nine times out of 10, the Bills would beat the Dolphins if you consider current form. However, Dolphins fans will believe. Nothing is impossible.
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