Getty Image / Brandon Sloter
The Miami Dolphins have led the AFC East nearly start to finish this year, with just a small blip in week 4 after a loss to the Buffalo Bills. But, it could all be for naught if they lose to the Bills on Sunday in the final game of the NFL regular season, which would cause them to lose the AFC East and be relegated to a wild card spot when the playoffs start next week.
Things aren’t looking great for the Miami Dolphins, who are dealing with a plethora of injury problems down the stretch. The news on that front isn’t improving, as key players, running back Raheem Mostert, cornerback Xavien Howard, and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, missed practice on Thursday just three days ahead of that massive game.
The team is already without their top two pass rushers in Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips, who were both lost for the season down the stretch. Robert Hunt and Terron Armstead, two of their better offensive linemen, have been in and out of the lineup all season long, and linebacker Jerome Baker has missed a chunk of time as well.
That has hurt them down the stretch, as they’re just 2-2 in their last 4 following a 9-3 start to the season.
Mostert, Howard, and Waddle didn’t play against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday in the team’s 56-19 loss. That was a big game for Miami, as a win would have clinched the AFC East and put them in the driver’s seat for the top seed in the AFC.
You could clearly see the difference on both sides of the ball with those players out. The Miami offense is built on speed, with Tua Tagovailoa getting the ball in space to playmakers like Mostert, Waddle, Tyreek Hill and Devon Achane. But, with two of those guys out and Achane limited himself, the explosive unit was much easier to defend.
Defensively, the loss of Howard made things too easy for the Ravens passing attack. Lamar Jackson clinched the MVP with a career-defining performance, throwing for well over 300 yards and four touchdowns.
Considering the only team playing better than the Ravens down the stretch may be the Buffalo Bills, it’s hard-pressed to see the Dolphins winning that game if those three players are unable to play.
With a win, the Bills will capture the AFC East for a fourth-straight year.