Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
LOSS DOESN’T FAZE FINS
Dolphins now turn focus on Steelers, playoffs
The Miami Dolphins lost to New England 35-14 at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday. But the team didn’t dwell on the loss, preferring to focus on next weekend’s opening-round playoff game with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins gave it their best shot against New England in Sunday’s regular-season finale, opting to play all of their healthy starters and not allowing anyone to rest in the last game before the playoffs. It didn’t work to their advantage.
New England hammered Miami, 35-14, at Hard Rock Stadium.
That means sixth-seeded Miami (10-6) will travel to third-seeded Pittsburgh (11-5) for next weekend’s opening-round playoff game with the day and time to be announced Sunday night.
The Dolphins, who are making their first playoff appearance since 2008, are fired up about next week’s opportunity – “Can’t wait,” wide receiver Jarvis Landry said – and not overly concerned with Sunday’s loss.
“It’s a big deal,” quarterback Matt Moore said of the playoffs. “Obviously, you put this one to bed and move forward and focus on next week, and wherever it is and whoever we’re playing. You’ve just got to be ready to go.”
The Dolphins could have moved up to the No. 5 seed with a victory over New England combined with a San Diego victory over Kansas City.
But the regular season is over and the playoff opponent is set. Dolphins safety Michael Thomas knows what he’ll do with Sunday’s result. “Flush it,” he said. Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, who was on a three-game losing streak in Miami Gardens, completed
“You can’t be focusing on the past, you’ve got to look forward. Literally, as I walk out of the building my mindset is on to the next [game]. This game’s over and done with . ... ” Cameron Wake, Dolphins’ defensive end
25-of-33 passes for 276 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions against the Dolphins on Sunday.
Coach Adam Gase didn’t feel too badly about Brady’s success against his defense.
“He’s a Hall of Fame quarterback,” Gase said of Brady. “It happens. A lot.”
Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman had eight receptions for 151 yards and one touchdown as New England jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead, extended it to 20-7 at halftime, and led 27-14 going into the fourth quarter.
But Pittsburgh, and the postseason, is what matters now.
“You can’t be focusing on the past, you’ve got to look forward,” said Pro Bowl defensive end Cameron Wake, who will be making his playoff debut. “Literally, as I walk out of the building my mindset is on to the next [game]. This game’s over and done with. There’s nothing you can do about it. Until we line up and play these guys again I won’t be thinking about them. I’m thinking about the next opponent.”
The Dolphins defeated Pittsburgh, 30-15, when the teams met on Oct. 16, as running back Jay Ajayi rumbled for 204 rushing yards. But there might not be much carryover.
“Really, what it comes down to is whose going to win the turnover margin, whose going to be the best team in the red zone, and whose going to convert on third down,” Gase said. “Whoever usually wins those sections of the game is the team that’s going to win.”
The Dolphins, trailing, 27-14, had their best chance to make things interesting midway through the fourth quarter. But running back Damien Williams lost the ball trying to make a move after a reception at New England’s 9-yard line.
Patriots linebacker Shea McClellin scooped up the loose ball and returned it 69 yards to the Dolphins’ 18-yard line.
Then Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount banged into the end zone for a touchdown and Edelman added a reception for the two-point conversion as New England put the game away.
“I felt good about where we were heading on that series,” Gase said. “We still have some work to do ... we were going to go for it. We had two downs to try to figure out a way to get in. We just can’t turn the ball over down there.”
That will be especially true next week when the stakes are considerably higher.
“It’s one and done,” Pro Bowl defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said of the playoffs. “The elevation of the height and the sensitivity of the games are going to through the roof. This will be my third time in the playoffs and I just know the feeling going into a particular game is very, very intense.
“So as you ... get ready for these games, be prepared. The level of play definitely steps up.”