Dolphins’ defense goes from worst to first in the rankings
In one year, the Miami Dolphins have gone from worst to first in the NFL in points allowed, which is a big reason their playoff hopes are on the rise.
So why is cornerback Xavien Howard the Dolphins’ only Pro Bowl player?
“Miami always gets overlooked,” he said. “If some of the guys were on a different team, they’d get recognized. As a team, we can pick that off with a Super Bowl, and everybody will be happy.”
The Super Bowl is heady talk coming from a franchise that hasn’t won a playoff game in 20 years, and the Dolphins are probably still not-ready-for-primetime players — in February at least.
But their improvement under second-year coach Brian Flores has been dramatic, especially on defense.
Last season, Miami gave up a franchise record 494 points, 30.9 per game and the most in the NFL, and went 5-11. This season they’re allowing 18.4 per game, the league’s lowest average, and are contending for an AFC wild-card berth at 9-5.
Because defense is often the best way to win on the road, especially in December, the Dolphins’ final two games — at Las Vegas and at Buffalo — don’t seem quite so daunting. They probably must win both to reach the postseason for only the third time since 2001.
Flores’ defense is a blitzloving, ball-hawking bunch that leads the league in takeaways (26) and third-down conversions (33%) but ranks near the bottom in star power.
As with any good defense, the Dolphins’ success is a collective effort that includes five new starters this year: four free-agent acquisitions and second-round draft pick Raekwon Davis.
“We’ve got 11 guys who want to do their job well and play for each other,” safety
Bobby McCain said. “That’s one of the biggest things — understanding that we’re a family.”
NEW YORK CONSIDERS ALLOWING SOME FANS AT BILLS PLAYOFF GAME >> The New
York health commissioner is considering whether to allow 6,700 fans to attend a rare Buffalo Bills home playoff game if all attendees are tested beforehand.
But nothing has been finalized yet, according to Gov. Andrew Cuomo and a spokesperson for the Bills. The playoffs begin the weekend of Jan. 9, but the date of the game isn’t set.
Cuomo believes New York would be the nation’s first state to try such a plan, which would include contact tracing after the game.
“This could be the beginning to show how you could have events with testing,” he said.
HASKINS FINED, IN LINE TO START FOR WASHINGTON IF NEEDED >>
Dwayne Haskins was handed a hefty fine for partying with several people not wearing a mask, but will start at quarterback for Washington on Sunday if Alex Smith isn’t healthy enough to go.
The organization reportedly fined Haskins $40,000 for violating COVID-19 protocols.
SEAHAWKS’ GORDON BACK ONCOMMISSIONER’SEXEMPT LIST >> Seahawks wide receiver Josh Gordon will not make his debut this week after he was placed back on the commissioner’s exempt list.
Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he was not at liberty to comment on Gordon’s situation, but the Seahawks went from expecting Gordon to possibly play this week against the Rams to finding out he’ll be unavailable.
The oft-suspended Gordon was conditionally reinstated by commissioner Roger Goodell on Dec. 3 and was allowed to begin strength and conditioning work with the Seahawks staff, and attend meetings. This week was to be the first week Gordon could be eligible to play and practice should he meet all requirements set forth by the league.