Though the Miami Dolphins lost in a heartbreaker to the Buffalo Bills on Saturday night, a lot of viewers finished that game with a newfound respect for the South Florida team. One such person was famed sports pundit Stephen A. Smith.
Smith recently stated that by battling with the Bills and losing 32-29, the Dolphins proved that they can beat anyone in the NFL.
Stephen A. Smith on the Miami Dolphins: “They showed me Saturday they can beat anybody.”
— David Furones (@DavidFurones_) December 19, 2022
As Dolphins fans know quite well, the Bills are widely considered to be one of best teams in the NFL this season. They are one of just four teams with 11 wins or more so far.
Though the Dolphins fell to 8-6 on the season, losses by both the New England Patriots and New York Jets this past weekend allowed the Dolphins to keep hold of a playoff spot.
How the Miami Dolphins can ensure a playoff berth this season
To make matters more promising for Miami, it essentially controls its destiny at this point. The Dolphins host the Green Bay Packers this upcoming weekend before facing the Patriots in Week 17 and Jets in Week 18.
Even if the Dolphins lose to the Packers this week, a sweep of the Patriots and Jets in the final two weeks of the season would ensure a playoff berth for the team. Beyond that, the Dolphins should feel good about their chances against a Packers squad that has looked mediocre at best for most of the season.
Another really great sign for the Dolphins despite the loss to the Bills was the performance of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Tagovailoa had struggled in the two previous games, and critics were once again starting to rear their heads.
He silenced those critics by putting in a really solid performance in dismal throwing conditions. The Dolphins-Bills game took place during a snow storm, but that didn’t phase the quarterback.
The University of Alabama product completed 17 of his 30 passes for 234 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions. It wasn’t an amazing game, but to do that in awful weather against one of the best teams in the NFL was no small feat.
So, while the loss is tough to swallow, the Dolphins should feel good about their chances of ending the season on a high note and with a playoff berth.
