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The Miami Dolphins season ended on Saturday, because the shorthanded guests suffered a heartbreaking 34-31 playoff loss to the Bills in Buffalo. The loss marks a fast exit from the postseason for Miami and continues the franchise streak of getting not gained a playoff sport since December of 2000.
That’s the unhealthy information. The excellent news is: Never has a playoff loss felt extra like an ethical victory.
Few thought Miami had an opportunity to maintain the Wild Card sport as shut as they did with Skylar Thompson at quarterback, and fewer, if any, felt they’d an opportunity to win. The Dolphins, nevertheless, did make a sport of it in Orchard Park on Sunday, taking the closely favored house group right down to the wire.
Let’s dig into probably the most vital performs that made up a surprisingly entertaining and memorable playoff exit.
Game Recap
The Dolphins entered Sunday’s tilt in opposition to the Buffalo Bills a 13-point underdog, however after a fourth-down cease of Buffalo’s high-powered offense on the sport’s first drive, it appeared like Miami’s protection may be as much as the problem.
Then got here the second drive of the sport, whereby Bills large receiver Stefon Diggs ate Xavien Howard’s lunch on a deep bomb. Buffalo would rating on the next play to go up 7-0.
Stefon Diggs vs. Xavien Howard:
Advantage Diggs 🦬pic.twitter.com/8RpsfB6Yq2
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) January 15, 2023
One Skylar Thompson interception and some Bills performs later, it was 14-0 Buffalo. Minutes into the sport, Buffalo was masking that giant Vegas unfold.
Any hopes of the Dolphins placing up a struggle appeared foolish at that juncture, as Buffalo was capable of do something it needed on offense and Miami was unable to do something in any respect on its possessions.
James Cook scores the @BuffaloBills second TD of the quarter! @thegreat__4 #SuperWildCard
📺: #MIAvsBUF on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/zCGXBeNnOK pic.twitter.com/xMclMiJvBb— NFL (@NFL) January 15, 2023
So you are saying there’s an opportunity?
After buying and selling subject targets, the Dolphins discovered themselves again within the sport following a Xavien Howard interception of Bills quarterback Josh Allen and a protracted return. Soon after, Miami would kick one other subject aim to tug inside 17-6 late within the second half.
At this level, holding issues shut for this lengthy alone felt like a triumph to DolFans.
XAVIEN HOWARD PICKS OFF JOSH ALLEN 😮pic.twitter.com/WN26aIHwxV
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) January 15, 2023
Unbelievably, the Dolphins enormous second quarter continued. A Jevon Holland interception led to a possession deep in Buffalo territory with underneath two minutes left, and the Dolphins had been again in enterprise, able to shock the world.
Unlike previous drives, Skylar Thompson and the Dolphins would end this one ultimately zone — tie sport, 17-17. Hit that Griddy, Gesicki.
Gesicki. Touchdown. Griddy. 🐬
This sport is now TIED after a profitable 2-point conversion…
(through @NFL)pic.twitter.com/eNnEGTUzlu
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) January 15, 2023
Just once you thought issues could not get any higher for Miami, they did. And Buffalo was on discover: The Dolphins weren’t going to roll over, no matter what the Bills, or Vegas, initially thought.
After a punt to open the second half, Buffalo’s first play of the following drive gave Dolphins followers the play of the 12 months, a scoop and rating by defensive lineman Zach Sieler. Let’s hear it for Fat Guy Touchdowns!
24-20, Miami! This is occurring.
SCOOP AND SCORE!!! THE MIAMI DOLPHINS (+13.5) ARE LEADING pic.twitter.com/rGh9wgFwPk
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) January 15, 2023
Well, it was enjoyable whereas it lasted. Following an ill-advised Skylar Thompson interception deep in his personal territory, Buffalo determined the Dolphins’ streak of fine fortune would come to an finish.
A landing from Josh Allen to Cole Beasley put the Bills again within the lead, 27-24. Just moments after a Dolphins punt, Miami would discover itself down 34-24 following yet one more Bills rating.
We’ll at all times have 24-20, Dolphins followers. Nobody can take that away from us.
Josh Allen with a DIME to Gabe Davis for the TD 🙌pic.twitter.com/ELMpvxs5Bh
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) January 15, 2023
It’s not over but! Rather than lie down and play lifeless like many Dolphins groups of the previous, this squad continued to struggle. After a profitable future executed on a Jaylen Waddle reverse, Jeff Wilson’s one-yard rating introduced Miami again into the sport.
Do you consider in miracles?! Maybe. Cautiously optimistic.
Jeff Wilson finds the top zone because the Dolphins (+650 ML) pull inside one rating 👀pic.twitter.com/j7NX804vQG
— Action Network (@ActionNetworkHQ) January 15, 2023
Unfortunately, that was that. While Miami’s protection was capable of maintain Buffalo scoreless for the remainder of the sport, the offense was a tire fireplace. On a number of events, the Dolphins noticed an important play get that a lot more durable owing to a delay of sport penalty, together with one on its vital remaining drive that turned a season-deciding fourth and one right into a fourth and 6.
KAIIR ELAM CALLED GAME pic.twitter.com/gI8GbBYbxc
— PFF (@PFF) January 15, 2023
High-Stakes Offseason
Roll the credit; the 2022 Miami Dolphins soccer season is within the books. A 9-9 marketing campaign that includes a number of the highest highs and lowest lows is now within the rearview mirror and offseason questions have to be addressed.
As the Dolphins pack up and head house, the most important query mark surrounding the group is the well being and way forward for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa has handled concussion points all through the season, and it stays to be seen whether or not he’ll be capable of proceed his profession.
Prior to the sport, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Tua would certainly be again in 2023. That, after all, may simply be a formality because the group seems to extend commerce leverage within the occasion it decides to maneuver on to a extra steady choice, equivalent to Old Tom Brady.
Tua Tagovailoa anticipated again as Dolphins’ starter in 2023, per sources:https://t.co/LxvLOGzrpF
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2023
Those trying ahead to the draft as a possible avenue to enchancment should not get their hopes up an excessive amount of. Barring trades, the April 27-29 occasion does not promise to be all that fruitful.
The Dolphins haven’t got a first-round decide this 12 months as a result of they misplaced it because of tampering with Brady and Sean Payton in 2019 and buying and selling away one other first-round choice as a part of a deal for linebacker Bradley Chubb.