Short-handed Dolphins maintain slim playoff hopes

With the win, the Dolphins improve to 8-8 and keep their playoff hopes alive with one game to go.

The Dolphins were without Tagovailoa due to a hip injury. Waddle, one of only three players on the team with at least 700 receiving yards this season, was out with a right knee injury.

This TD reception from TE Jonnu Smith officially put the game out of reach with 3:38 remaining.

Coming into the game, Smith was second on the team with 802 receiving yards. 

QB Tyler Huntley played about as well as you could ask for, completing 22 of his 26 passes for 225 yards and one TD. Huntley also rushed for 52 yards and a TD.

The Dolphins’ struggles were paramount throughout the game, though, converting only 2 of their 11 third down attempts and committing 11 penalties for 94 yards. According to TeamRankings, the Dolphins were tied for 21st in the NFL, averaging 6.6 penalties per game coming into Sunday, so the rash of penalties should come as no surprise.

Having its roster fully healthy going into Week 18 is going to be critical for Miami, with a lot at stake. NFL.com’s Playoff Probability gives the Dolphins a 31% chance of making the playoffs after Sunday’s win. A loss would have ended their playoff hopes altogether.

Here are the scenarios for the final AFC playoff spot:

While the Indianapolis Colts’ loss to the New York Giants eliminated them from postseason contention, the Denver Broncos (9-7) are still ahead of Miami heading into Week 18.

Miami would own the tiebreaker over the Cincinnati Bengals even if both teams have the same record in the end.

The Dolphins simply need to win their Week 18 game against the New York Jets and pull for a Broncos loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, who announced they plan on resting key starters for the game.

If that is the case, Miami may have even more of an uphill battle to reach the postseason. Regardless, the Dolphins are still alive for a third consecutive playoff appearance.