Here’s who Dolphins would meet if they make playoffs, and ’25 schedule. Notes by position
The Dolphins now have clarity on their playoff path, should they make the postseason, as well as their 2025 schedule.
If Miami qualifies for the postseason — which requires a win at the Jets and a Denver loss to visiting Kansas City on Sunday — then the Dolphins would open postseason on Jan. 11, 12 or 13 at Buffalo, which clinched the AFC’s No. 2 seed on Sunday.
If the Dolphins make the playoffs, they would be the seventh seed, and the seventh seed plays the second seed in the first round.
The No. 1 seed, Kansas City, gets a first-round bye and would play host to the Dolphins on Jan. 18 or 19 if Miami makes the playoffs and wins its first-round game at Buffalo.
If the Dolphins stun the NFL world and win at Buffalo and at Kansas City, they would play the AFC Championship Game on the road against the highest-remaining AFC seed.
The Dolphins will learn early evening on Sunday if they will make the playoffs. Their game at the Jets and Kansas City’s game at Denver will be played at 4:25 p.m., on Fox and CBS, respectively.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins’ 2025 schedule is now finalized, with dates and times to be announced in May.
At home, Miami will play Buffalo, the Jets, New England, Baltimore, Cincinnati, the Chargers, New Orleans, Tampa Bay and Washington. One of these games will be played in a foreign country, likely Brazil.
Besides the three AFC East teams, Miami’s 2025 road schedule will include Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Carolina and trips to Cleveland and Indianapolis for a second year in a row.
The games against the Colts, Chargers and Commanders are the result of those teams finishing in second in their divisions and Miami finishing second in the AFC East.
Position notes
▪ Quarterback: Tyler Huntley became the first Dolphins quarterback since Jay Fiedler (in 2003) to pass for a TD, rush for a TD, throw at least 225 yards, complete 80 percent of his passes and not throw an interception in a game. His 115 passer rating was the best of his career.
▪ Running back: De’Von Achane needs only 73 yards to become the third Dolphins player to produce 1,450 yards in a season; Ricky Williams and Tyreek Hill accomplished that twice, with Hill holding the franchise mark of 1,814 in 2023.
Against Cleveland, Achane played 32 of 60 snaps, while Raheem Mostert logged 24, Alec Ingold 23, Jeff Wilson 8 and Jaylen Wright 2.
▪ Wide receiver: Tyreek Hill now needs only 61 receiving yards to finish with 1,000 yards receiving for a sixth season in a row.
On Sunday, Hill played 53 offensive snaps, Malik Washington 52, River Cracraft 20 and Dee Eskridge 2.
Pro Football Focus rated Huntley, Hill, tight end Jonnu Smith and Cracraft as Miami’s four best players on offense Sunday.
▪ Tight end: Julian Hill again led the tight ends in offensive snaps with 37. Smith played 29 and tied the franchise record for touchdowns by a tight end in a season (seven). Durham Smythe played 17 snaps and Jack Stoll 1.
Among tight ends, Smith is second in the AFC in receiving yards (with 828) and fourth in the NFL.
▪ Offensive line: Terron Armstead played 27 snaps before departing with a knee injury. Patrick Paul played the final 33 at left tackle. PFF says Paul allowed three pressures and a sack in 21 pass blocking chances. Left guard Robert Jones also allowed a sack.
PFF said Ingold and right guard Isaiah Wynn were Miami’s best run blockers; each blocked for 12 rushing plays. The platoon continued at right guard; Wynn played 34 snaps and Eichenberg 26.
▪ Defensive line: Zach Sieler played 62 of 79 defensive snaps, while Calais Campbell logged 48, De’Shawn Hand 36, Benito Jones 34 and Matt Dickerson 7. Sieler’s 81 games in a row with a tackle in the longest ongoing streak by an NFL defensive lineman.
▪ Linebacker: The Dolphins received exemplary play from their inside backers. Tyrel Dodson played all 79 snaps and had 15 tackles and an interception.
Dodson’s 15 tackles were the most by a Dolphins since Jerome Baker had 16 against New England in 2020.
Jordyn Brooks played 71 defensive snaps and had 10 tackles. Duke Riley played 8.
At outside linebacker, Emmanuel Ogbah played 62 snaps, Chop Robinson 52, Quinton Bell 25 and Cam Goode 6.
▪ Safety: The Dolphins again used three-safety looks on a small package of plays, with Elijah Campbell logging 11 snaps. Jevon Holland and Jordan Poyer played 71 of 79 snaps. Rookie Patrick McMorris played 8.
Poyer permitted two of three passes in his coverage area to be caught for 14 yards. Holland permitted 1 of 4 targets to be caught for 15 yards.
▪ Cornerback: Kader Kohou played 71 snaps, Jalen Ramsey 67, Storm Duck 60, Ethan Bonner 12 and Siran Neal 8. Bonner had played only four defensive snaps before Sunday.
Ramsey knocked away the only pass thrown in his direction -- a critical fourth-down throw to Jerry Jeudy in the end zone. Kohou allowed 5 of 9 targets to be caught for 41 yards. Duck permitted 4 of 5 to be caught for 39 yards.
PFF”s top seven Dolphins defenders on Sunday, in order: Dodson, Ramsey, Poyer, Ogbah, Brooks, Kahou and Campbell.
▪ Kicker: Kicker Jason Sanders nailed a 54-yard field goal in the first quarter to extend his streak to nine consecutive field goals of 50 or more yards. He has hit a team-record 25 field goals in a row overall.
This story was originally published December 30, 2024 at 10:41 AM.
