In order to avoid falling from 8-3 like they did last season—Miami hasn’t been 9-3 since 2001—the Dolphins will play Washington.
With the NFL’s best offense heading into Week 13, the Dolphins will host the Commanders (4-8) after coach Ron Rivera fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and assumed play-calling duties for the defense.
A year ago, December was the Miami Dolphins’ cruelest month.
They were ahead of the pack going into the game, but they lost five straight and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a season-ending concussion.
The Dolphins, who are 8-3 once more, are hoping that this December will be less of a wasteland. They begin by playing the Washington Commanders on Sunday, where they are heavy favorites to win and extend their lead atop the AFC East.
“This is the place where you generate income,” stated Tagovailoa. “The games will be closer and decided by a single score. The winner of the game will depend on who gets the ball last, so you have to go win it from there.
Since 2001, Miami hasn’t finished 9-3. With the best offense in the NFL going into Week 13, the Dolphins will be playing the Commanders (4-8) after Coach Ron Rivera fired defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio and took over play-calling duties.
The Dolphins must avoid stumbling at Washington after dominating the New York Jets and facing Tennessee (4-7) at home in their upcoming game. Perhaps remembering the losing streak from a year ago will help.
Running back Jeff Wilson Jr. stated, “We felt like it was our year then, but things didn’t go that way.” “It simply keeps us even more confined because, as strong as things are, they could easily turn bad.”
The Commanders, who began the season with back-to-back wins, have now lost eight out of ten games. The latest humiliation in a season full of them, a 45-10 thrashing at Dallas, is almost guaranteed to result in significant changes after it’s over.
After Rivera fired defensive backs coach Brent Vieselmeyer and player development coordinator Del Rio, owner Josh Harris released a statement saying, “All of our energy for the remainder of the season will be focused on playing better, more consistent football and developing our players while intently evaluating the areas in which we need to improve this offseason.” “Our supporters ought to have a team that can contend with the top teams in the NFL and achieve long-term success.”
Miami wants to win the division, get home field advantage in the first round, and try to go farther. But why will things be different this time?
Christian Wilkins, a defensive tackle, remarked, “I guess we’ll see.” “I suppose that remains to be observed. But I think we have a chance to accomplish some great things going forward because we have the right guys in the locker room, the right leadership, and the right team mentality.
As the Dolphins approach the latter stages of the season, injuries are mounting.
seasoned left tackle Following a quadriceps muscle injury against the Jets, Terron Armstead missed practice on Wednesday and his availability for Sunday is uncertain. With Armstead battling multiple injuries this season, Kendall Lamm has stepped in at left tackle and is currently sidelined with a back injury.
Kion Smith would probably step in at left tackle on Sunday if neither can play. The Dolphins have started seven different lineups and used ten different offensive linemen this season due to front-row injuries.
Security Raheem Mostert (ankle/knee), Tyreek Hill, WR, and Jevon Holland (knee) were also absent from practice on Wednesday.
The line was meant to set the tone for the entire Washington team this season, regardless of who is calling the defensive plays. Pass rushers Montez Sweat and Chase Young were swapped in its place.
Now, defensive tackles Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen, who have combined for 7 1/2 sacks, must make an impact despite facing opponents’ double teams.
“By facing a double-team, I give my team a better chance to make the play,” Allen remarked. “I expect the other guys around me to contribute and make plays if I’m taking double teams.”
In an effort to have defenders play more quickly and with less thought, Rivera plans to simplify a few things. It might imply a more condensed playbook.
Cornerback Kendall Fuller stated, “You’re just able to focus in on certain calls: things that you know that are going to be called, things that you know that we’re going to run.” “By watching tape, you can put yourself in those plays and get ready to be where you need to be when you see certain plays and depending on the offensive team’s strategy against us, among other things.”
Bradley Chubb was the one who missed Jaelan Phillips the most at practice on Wednesday.
Although the Dolphins linebackers are frequently spotted having fun, dancing, or working out together on the sideline, Phillips’ season-ending right Achilles tendon tear will significantly alter practices for the remainder of the campaign.
According to Chubb, Miami’s defense will adopt a “new norm” going forward in which one of their most productive players is absent. In eight games, Phillips recorded six and a half sacks, seven tackles for loss, eleven quarterback hits, and one interception. This week, he had surgery, and on Tuesday, the Dolphins signed veteran pass rusher Jason Pierre- Paul ,placing him on season-ending injured reserve.
Chubb stated, “Go out there and ball and do everything we talked about in the offseason. That’s what he would want us to do.” “I’m going to keep doing what’s best for this team every single day, and I have no doubt that he will stop at nothing to get back.”
