Sunday, January 8, 2023

Dolphins Clinch Playoff Spot Over Jets

     The Miami Dolphins clinched the last American Football Conference wild-card spot as they survived the New York Jets 11-6 at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. The Dolphins, who snapped a five-game losing streak, leaped from eighth to seventh in the AFC standings because the New England Patriots fell to the Buffalo Bills. 
     The Dolphins reached the postseason for the first time since the 2016 season. The Fins will play in the NFL Playoffs for just the third time since 2002. They will challenge the AFC East Division Champions the Buffalo Bills in the opening round next weekend. 
     It was unusual that there were no touchdowns throughout the Dolphins regular season finale. Both clubs could not score during the first quarter. 
     Miami(9-8) drew first blood as Jason Sanders kicked a 37-yard field goal with 5:27 to go in the second quarter. New York(7-10) matched it as Greg Zuerlein got a 32-yard field goal with 1:37 remaining in the first half. 
     The Dolphins regained the lead 6-3 at 5:18 of the third quarter. Sanders was able to nail another 37-yard field goal. 
     In the fourth quarter, the Jets once again tied it up 6-6. Zuerlein booted a 35-yard field goal at the 11:59 mark. 
     The Fins picked up a go-ahead field goal with 18 seconds left in the fourth to make it 9-6 as Sanders converted on a field goal from 50 yards away. Former St. Thomas Aquinas High School player and current Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore fumbled the ball out of the end zone for a safety with no time remaining in the contest to give Miami an 11-6 lead. 

No comments:

Post a Comment