The Miami Dolphins are gearing up for a home Week 18 battle against the Buffalo Bills with the winner of the game taking home the AFC East divisional title as well as hosting a playoff game. However, the Dolphins are going to be without two of their top playmakers in this game, according to Tom Pelissero and Ian Rapoport.
#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
Not having one of these players is tough but losing both is going to make things difficult. Raheem Mostert missed last week’s game due to injury and broke the franchise’s single-season rushing touchdowns record with 18 on the year. Jaylen Waddle has been one of the top second wide receiver options in the league and has posted over 1,000 receiving yards.
The Miami Dolphins have been dealing with a significant amount of injuries to the end of the regular season as Bradley Chubb is out for the remainder of the year, so you can understand their cautiousness with their playoff spot already clinched one way or another.
Can the Miami Dolphins still win the AFC East divisional title?
Even with the injury bug getting to the Miami Dolphins, they are still expected to at least keep this game close as they are considered to be three-point home underdogs. The Dolphins need to win this game as they are extremely dangerous at home (7-1) compared to being on the road (4-4). Winning this game means they get home-field advantage throughout the playoffs unless they match up with the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC Championship Game.
In terms of this Week 18 game, this is a chance for redemption for the Miami Dolphins as they lost in Week 4 in Buffalo 48-20. This game is critical to their success as they do not want to enter the playoffs on a two-game losing streak. However, Buffalo is not a dominant team and there are issues with the Bills.
This Dolphins team should be able to win in Miami against a divisional opponent if they want to be considered legitimate threats in the playoffs. There is a chance this can also be an AFC Wild Card matchup if the cards fall a certain way so getting a win here is critical for the Dolphins.
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