Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Dolphins year on the line
Focus is on Bills, not playoffs.
“Obviously, we’re going to be tested in Buffalo, but it’s something we’re looking forward to.” Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry
So, here’s the deal: The Dolphins (9-5) must win at Buffalo (7-7), a place where they’re 0-4 since 2012, to clinch a playoff berth this weekend.
If the Dolphins win today and Kansas City defeats Denver on Sunday (or they tie), the Dolphins are in the postseason for the first time since 2008.
That makes Buffalo one of the biggest games in years.
Yet Dolphins coach Adam Gase — who sticks religiously to the theme of going 1-0 each week against a nameless, faceless opponent — said he hasn’t seen his players concerning themselves with the playoff picture.
“I’ve seen guys focused on the challenge that we have on Saturday, and they know what they’re in for, they understand where we’re going,” Gase said Friday.
“It’s a place that is tough to win, and we know we’re playing a team that is looking to beat us and looking to play a very good game.”
Buffalo has been a chamber of horrors of sorts. In 2013, the Dolphins were in a fairly similar position — needing to win there in Week 16 — and they lost, 19-0.
In a way, it’s remarkable the Dolphins are in this position in 2016 considering they’re without players such as Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones (shoulder), Pro Bowl center Mike Pouncey (hip) and quarterback Ryan Tannehill (knee).
Against the Bills, the Dolphins also will likely be without cornerback Byron Maxwell (ankle) and linebacker Jelani Jenkins (knee), who are both listed as doubtful to play.
However, the Dolphins, under the direc-
tion of backup quarterback Matt Moore for the second consecutive game, have improved their playoff chances this season by improving in one crucial area: they’re defeating their fellow AFC East opponents.
The Dolphins, who have won eight of their past nine games, are 3-1 against division opponents so far. A victory at Buffalo not only improves them to 4-1 against the AFC East, but gives them their first sweep of the Bills and New York Jets since 2003.
A victory today would also give the Dolphins, who host New England in the finale, a shot at finishing 5-1 in the division, which would be their best record against AFC East opponents since realignment in 2002.
As it is, the Dolphins are assured of their first winning record since 2008. But they say that’s not good enough.
“I think the attitude and the mentality has definitely shifted in a way that’s going to allow us to do some special things,” wide receiver Jarvis Landry said, noting the Dolphins were 1-4 at one point this season.
“Obviously, we’re going to be tested in Buffalo, but it’s something we’re looking forward to.”
The Dolphins’ formula has changed twice this season. Early, it leaned on Tannehill and the passing game, along with the pass rush. That led to the 1-4 start.
Then the formula successfully shifted to running the ball and controlling time of possession while making timely defensive plays. But the ground game has been snuffed out in this last portion of the season. Running back Jay Ajayi (1,007 yards for the season) has rushed for just 361 yards over the past six games while averaging 3.5 yards per carry.
“Teams are doing a good job of stacking the box,” said Ajayi, who had a career-best 214 yards rushing against the Bills in October. “They want to make sure that they want to keep our run game at bay. That doesn’t matter to me.
“We still have to find ways to produce, still have to find ways to create yards, score touchdowns, and we haven’t been doing that, so we have to get back to it.”
The rushing drought has led to the Dolphins’ current winning formula of getting plays from offense, defense and special teams, whether it’s by high-profile stars or one of the lesser-known players.
It certainly would be ideal if the Dolphins’ best players — Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Wake, Ajayi, Landry, linebacker Kiko Alonso, to name a few — make big plays today. That could lead the team to victory and clear the path to clinch a playoff berth on Christmas night.
The Dolphins say they aren’t thinking about that right now.
“We’ll see when it happens,” Wake said of possibly clinching a playoff berth this weekend.
“But right now, again, I’m thinking of one task. That’s Saturday. The Buffalo Bills. Whatever happens after that, we’ll talk about that, if and when it happens.”
“But right now, again, I’m thinking of one task. ... The Buffalo Bills.” Dolphins defensive end Cameron Wake