Dolphins digging for motivation in finale
The overriding theme of Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores’ Monday perspective after his team was eliminated from postseason contention on Sunday evening: Disappointment.
“You’re in the wrong business if you’re not disappointed by that,” he said in an afternoon web conference call. “Disappointment for our team, for the people in the building, for our players, coaches, support staff. Everyone works really hard, and they put a lot into this.”
After the combination of Sunday’s 34-3 loss to the Tennessee Titans and other AFC results made it mathematically impossible for Miami to qualify for the postseason, the Dolphins (8-8) still have one more game to finish out their season. Flores’ message to the team was to remain focused for the finale against the division rival New England Patriots (10-6).
“There’s a lot of emotions that come with being eliminated,” Flores said. “It’s easy to go and lament all those feelings, and the hard thing to do is pick yourself back up and move on to the next challenge. That’s what we need to do.”
It is indeed easier said than done after the Dolphins’ seven-game winning streak came to a crashing end in Nashville, but players on Monday appeared to take the approach of continuing to dig for motivation ahead of Sunday against the Patriots, even if much of the meaning behind the game was lost.
“Me, personally, I’m just a competitor, so it doesn’t matter what type of game it is, what type of status it has, I’m going to get out there and play,” said safety Eric Rowe. “Me, I want to make my opponent look embarrassed. That’s just me personally. Everybody on the team is a competitor, so no one’s going to take it like, ‘Why am I here? This don’t mean nothing.’ So, I know we’re all going to play hard.”
Added guard Robert Hunt: “We’re going to play, man. We’re
going to go out, take it one day at a time and, of course, try to end the season on a good note.”
After winning every game in November and December, the Dolphins’ improbable playoff push ended as the Titans rushed for 198 yards and handled the chilly, rainy conditions at Nissan Stadium better than Miami.
It would tempt many to look back at winnable games lost during the Dolphins’ 1-7 start, whether it be last-second field goals surrendered to the Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons or Las Vegas Raiders — or not coming through against the injury-depleted Indianapolis Colts on Oct. 3.
“I can’t change the past, so there’s no point in looking back and trying to see what could’ve happened or what could’ve been,” said linebacker Jerome Baker. “I deal with reality, and reality is we’re not going to the playoffs. Just finish this season off strong and get it done Sunday.”
At 8-8, Sunday’s finale serves as a tiebreaker in the NFL’s new 17-game schedule to determine if the Dolphins finish with a winning record.
“Yeah, I would like to do that,” Hunt said. “That’s the goal pretty much.”
Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle also has an NFL rookie record on the line. He stands at 99 receptions, two shy of Anquan Boldin’s mark of 101 set in 2003 with the Arizona Cardinals. Waddle has previously said the way he wants to get the record is if accompanied by a win.
“I’m not really that focused on the record or anything,” he said Monday. “I’m just focused on my job, trying to help the team win.”
Rooting interest
With the Dolphins now eliminated, fans can still pull for them to improve their first-round draft pick in the final week of the NFL regular season without rooting against their team.
Due to two trades Miami made ahead of last year’s draft, the Dolphins own the San Francisco 49ers’ first-round pick while their pick goes to the Philadelphia Eagles.
The 49ers are a playoff team in the NFC as it stands after Week 17, but they can fall out of the playoff picture this week. Such a scenario would secure that pick being a top-18 selection for Miami.
Dolphins fans can root for a San Francisco loss at the Los Angeles Rams, and a New Orleans Saints win at the Atlanta Falcons. That would get the Saints into the playoffs over the 49ers.
If San Francisco makes the playoffs, the first-round pick that goes to Miami will be upward of 18 with the possibility still that it shoots further back. If the 49ers pull off a wild-card round upset, that draft selection will be No. 25 or worse.
COVID activations
The Dolphins activated defensive tackle John Jenkins and wide receiver Preston Williams off the reserve/COVID-19 list on Monday.
They also activated center Spencer Pulley and guard Durval Queiroz Neto off the practice squad/COVID-19 list.
Miami’s COVID reserve list now is down to cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, safety Sheldrick Redwine and wide receivers Allen Hurns and Lynn Bowden. Hurns and Bowden are on season-ending injured reserve so they were not available regardless.