The Miami Dolphins are preparing for a Week 18 home game against the Buffalo Bills, with the winner taking home the AFC East divisional title and hosting a playoff game. According to Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport, the Dolphins will be without two of their top playmakers in this game.
Not having one of these players is awful, but losing both will be even more difficult. Raheem Mostert missed last week’s game due to injury, but he set a team record with 18 rushing touchdowns this season. Jaylen Waddle has over 1,000 receiving yards and has been one of the league’s top second wide receiver options.
The Miami Dolphins have been dealing with a huge amount of injuries leading up to the end of the regular season, with Bradley Chubb sidelined for the rest of the year, so you can understand their hesitancy with their playoff spot already secured one way or another.
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Is it still possible for the Miami Dolphins to win the AFC East divisional title?
#Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert (knee/ankle) and WR Jaylen Waddle (ankle) — both listed as questionable — are not expected to play Sunday night vs. the #Bills, per me and @RapSheet.
Both should be ready for the playoffs. But Miami will try to win the AFC East without them. pic.twitter.com/n0ZQVwkPUD
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 7, 2024
Even though the Miami Dolphins have been hit by the injury bug, they are expected to keep this game tight as three-point home underdogs. The Dolphins must win this game because they are far more dangerous at home (7-1) than on the road (4-4). If they win this game, they will have home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, unless they face the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.
In regards of this Week 18 game, the Miami Dolphins have a chance to avenge their Week 4 loss in Buffalo, which they lost 48-20. This game is crucial to their success since they do not want to go into the playoffs on a two-game losing streak. However, Buffalo is not a dominant team, and the Bills have difficulties.
If the Dolphins are to be considered real postseason candidates, they must be able to win in Miami against a divisional opponent. If the cards fall the right way, this may also be an AFC Wild Card meeting, thus a win here is vital for the Dolphins.
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