The Miami Dolphins currently sit at 3-9 on the season, an impressive mark for a team that seemingly everyone was convinced would be hard placed to win even a single football game at the start of the year. And win they have, with even more potential wins looming on the horizon. The Miami Dolphins are facing a soft three game stretch against the 4-8 New York Jets, 2-10 New York Giants and the 1-11 Cincinnati Bengals.
This is where the paths diverge for the Miami Dolphins. With three losses, the Dolphins nearly assure themselves the #2 pick in the NFL Draft and the chance to draft whomever is left between LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and Ohio State defensive end Chase Young. But the Dolphins just defeated a Philadelphia Eagles team that should have been ten times more motivated to play and beat the Dolphins than any of these three teams. Their seasons are effectively over — just like the Dolphins. And while Miami incurred heavy losses to critical players earlier this season, the Jets and Giants are currently processing news of potential season ending injuries to key starters here in December.
And it may lead to more wins for the Dolphins. The Jets’ best defensive player, safety Jamal Adams, was recently in a walking boot and when asked if he’ll be back on the field this year stated, “I don’t know.”
Jamal Adams, absent a boot he ditched two days ago, said he’s taking things “day to day.” Said “I don’t know” when asked if he’ll play again this year.
He’s never missed time with injury in high school, college, or pro #Jets
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) December 4, 2019
The New York Giants have seen their rookie quarterback succumb to an ankle injury, one that put him in a walking boot as well.
#Giants coach Pat Shurmur tells reporters that QB Daniel Jones is in a walking boot with a mild high-ankle sprain… and Eli Manning will “very likely” start on Monday. So, Manning gets a potential farewell tour, after all.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 4, 2019
The Dolphins play the Giants in 11 days. If Jones is still in a walking boot, it will be hard to envision him geared up to play the Dolphins, meaning Eli Manning would get the call against the Dolphins. Manning was benched for a reason — because he held the Giants offense back.
And so the Dolphins, already facing the softest stretch of their schedule, are seeing hurdles lowered seemingly by the day as we near the home stretch for 2019.
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