ELIMINATION LOSS
Setback against AFC West champ Chiefs seals losing record
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Miami Dolphins began play Sunday at Kansas City with slim playoff hopes. If they beat the Chiefs, and had a few other things happen, they could have entered next week’s regular-season finale against Buffalo with a chance to earn a second consecutive wildcard berth. It never got that far.
The Dolphins lost their Christmas Eve matchup 29-13 at Arrow “It’s head Stadium.
The loss meant Miami (6-9) was mathematically eliminated from the AFC wild-card picture.
“Disappointing,” cornerback Bobby McCain said, summarizing the season. “We expected much more.”
The loss also locked in a losing record for the ninth time in 14 years, and the third time in the last six years.
tough,” coach Adam Gase said of Miami’s playoff hopes being gone. “It’s what you work for.”
Kansas City (9-6), which started the season 5-0 and then lost six of its next seven, clinched the AFC West title with the victory. Quarterback Alex Smith (25-of-39, 304 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions, 96.5 passer rating) was good but not great.
The same goes for running back Kareem Hunt (29 carries, 91 yards) and tight end Travis Kelce (four receptions, 47 yards, one touchdown). Wide receiver Tyreek Hill (six receptions, 109 yards) was pretty good.
“We got beat by a couple of guys we talked about stopping,” Gase said.
But mostly the Dolphins did it to themselves in this game.
Miami was 0-of-8 on third downs while Kansas City was