Still playoff long shots, Dolphins need another miracle
DAVIE, FLA. (AP) >> Now the Miami Dolphins will try to pull off another miracle.
After beating New England with a pass and double lateral on the final play, the Dolphins are 7-6 and could use some more magic in the next three weeks to make the playoffs.
Coach AdamGase figures his Dolphins (7-6) probably need to sweep their remaining games — at Minnesota, home against Jacksonville and at Buffalo — to earn an AFC wild card berth.
But when asked Monday if he’s optimistic, Gase grinned.
“I’d better be,” he said. “We just won a game that ... I like where we’re at. We’re alive.”
The Dolphins saved their season with the play borrowed from Boise State and thus called “Boise.” Kenyan Drake took the last lateral and ran 52 yards to complete a 69-yard score for a 34-33 victory.
The last player Drake eluded was 6-foot- 6 tight end Rob Gronkowski, whose lumbering presence at the back of the Patriots’ prevent defense prompted plenty of second-guessing in Boston and elsewhere.
“I saw it was Gronk in front of me, and I was just like, ‘Look, I’ve got somewhere to be,’” Drake said. “I had to get in the end zone.”
For long-suffering fans, it was a moment to savor — the first time in the Dolphins’ 52-year history they won a game with a TD and no time left in regulation.
“I’ve witnessed in person a lot of great sports moments in my life, but as far as football goes, I can’t say I have EVER seen anything quite like that!” tweeted Jack Nicklaus, who is the grandfather of Dolphins tight end Nick O’Leary but better known for his own sporting dramas. “Fantastic Fin-ish! Wow. WOW! Go Fins!”
As a result of the improbable win, the Dolphins are unlikely playoff race participants.
They’ve been outgained by 1,177 yards and outscored by 55 points, and rank 29th in the NFL in both offense and defense. But only five AFC teams have a better record, and they’re tied with three other teams in the race for the last wild-card berth.