As one might assume with a franchise that hasn’t been to the playoffs in six years, the Miami Dolphins don’t have a roster full of playoff expertise.
The solely present Dolphin who was with the workforce again within the 2016 postseason was cornerback Xavien Howard.
But with that in thoughts, Miami introduced in a slew of veterans over the previous yr who’ve competed within the playoffs.
Star large receiver Tyreek Hill has 13 playoff video games with the Kansas City Chiefs. Left sort out Terron Armstead and punter Thomas Morstead have 15 and 9, respectively, with the New Orleans Saints. Outside linebacker Melvin Ingram has performed in seven playoffs video games between the Chiefs and Chargers, middle Connor Williams three with the Dallas Cowboys, and quarterback Teddy Bridgewater additionally has a playoff begin below his belt early in his profession with the Minnesota Vikings. Veterans like linebacker Elandon Roberts and security Eric Rowe, though they had been already on the roster earlier than this season, have 10 and 6 playoff video games performed, respectively.
Most of their voices have been paramount in Miami’s locker room this week because the workforce will get set for its Sunday 1 p.m. kickoff in an AFC wild-card playoff sport towards the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, New York.
“It’s been huge, and it’s been something that didn’t start this week,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel stated. “It was one thing that was on our thoughts, collectively, when it comes to the leaders that we have now introduced right here with expertise and a number of the guys that had been right here that had been on groups with success.
“We knew the team was young, and we approached that early. We’ve been talking through that, feel pretty good about where they’re at and their ability to make this game a fun, not-stressful game.”
Running again Jeff Wilson Jr. stated it’s next-level depth this time of yr. He has three postseason video games with the San Francisco 49ers and can shoulder a heavy workload since Raheem Mostert — who has a four-touchdown 2019 NFC Championship Game amongst his three playoff appearances — is out as a consequence of a damaged thumb.
“It’ll be naive or foolish to say it’s a normal game,” Wilson stated. “You got to be realistic, and I’m a realistic person. I would say it’s nothing like a regular game. If you win, you keep going. If you lose, you’re going to be on the couch, watching who just beat you.”
But not everybody sees it the identical. Big nostril sort out John Jenkins, a veteran of 4 postseason appearances, doesn’t wish to make the playoffs one thing greater than it must be.
“There’s really no need because you can’t make it a bigger deal,” he stated. “I mean, obviously, all of us who have been to the playoffs know the playoffs is a big deal, but I think that whatever got us here is the mindset to harness.”
Just as a result of Howard has bridged the franchise between its two most up-to-date playoff appearances doesn’t essentially imply he has fond reminiscences of that final postseason outing, regardless of him beginning as a rookie and hauling in his first NFL interception.
“We got our a— whooped. That’s what I do remember,” Howard stated of the 30-12 mauling Miami took by the hands of the Steelers. “It was also a cold game in Pittsburgh.”
Rookie cornerback Kader Kohou has been receiving suggestions from Howard all season — not simply concerning the playoffs.
“He’s been doing that the whole year,” stated Kohou, sure to start out a postseason sport as a Dolphins rookie like Howard did six years in the past. “Not just with me, but with everybody in the room. He’s always giving tips on what he sees, what helps him take his game to the next level.”
Ingram stated he doesn’t take it upon himself to speak to children about playoff environment, but when requested, he’ll inform them, “It’s the ‘Real Deal’ Holyfield,” a reference to boxer Evander Holyfield.
Las Vegas is barely giving the Dolphins a puncher’s likelihood, now 13 ½-point underdogs after quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was dominated out. It makes for a distinct outlook for Hill towards the Bills from the conferences he’s had with them as a Chief and a favourite the previous two postseasons.
“I’ve never been an underdog,” Hill stated. “I feel like, in Kansas City, I was blessed to be on a real good football team. Here, it’s different. Right now, I got a chip on my shoulder, and so do the rest of the guys.”
As for the historic level unfold in a wild-card sport, McDaniel stated he doesn’t blink at it.
“No one expected me personally to do anything that I’ve ever done, really,” the coach stated. “I think a journey of an NFL player is very similar with the amount of competition there is and how the parity is what it is. I think most guys on NFL teams have been told they couldn’t.”
Five Dolphins have received Super Bowls — three of them as former Patriots with Roberts and Eric Rowe successful Super Bowls 51 and 53 with New England and cornerback Keion Crossen becoming a member of them for the latter of the 2. Hill and Morstead received Super Bowls that came about in Miami, part of successful the final titles for the Chiefs and Saints, respectively.
Other Dolphins on the lively roster who’ve performed within the postseason are Cedrick Wilson Jr., Duke Riley, Justin Bethel, Trent Sherfield, River Cracraft, Brandon Shell and Kendall Lamm.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com