With a Dolphins playoff berth on the line, the Jets game will show how they handle adversity

Sunday’s game epitomizes the drama of professional sports.

Consider the story line: with their playoff hopes on the line, the Miami Dolphins must beat the Aaron Rodgers-led New York Jets in what could possibly the future hall-of-fame quarterback’s last game. The Dolphins will also likely be without their franchise quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa, who has dealt with a hip injury as of late, meaning that Tyler Huntley will be at the helm of the offense. And who did Huntley face in his second NFL start? Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.

“He didn’t give me the jersey the first time because we had lost to him,” Huntley said Wednesday before giving a prediction of sorts. “But I think after this game, I hope that he gives me that jersey.”

As the Dolphins prepare for their season finale, it’s clear they have a lot to play for. The playoffs. Pride. A winning record. But more than that, it’s the idea that despite the season’s worth of adversity – keep in mind that this team was 2-6 at one point – they were able to rally and make the season relevant by Week 18.

“This football team, with everything they’ve gone through, deserves to put their best foot forward in this moment to try to fight to keep the season alive,” coach Mike McDaniel said Friday, later adding that “it’s a tough spot not to have complete control over your destiny but it is also something we’ve earned to have partial control and how important it is for us to take advantage.”

Sure, the Dolphins will also need the Kansas City Chiefs – a team that will start Carson Wentz at quarterback as they already locked up the No. 1 seed – to beat the Denver Broncos.

It also doesn’t help that Miami happens to be a bit banged up. Defensive tackle Calais Campbell popped up on Friday’s injury report with a neck issue that his him questionable for Sunday. Rookie cornerback Storm Duck will likely start in place of Kendall Fuller who will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury. Then there’s the offense line which could look drastically different with tackles Terron Armstead questionable and Kendall Lamm recently placed on injured reserve.

Still, the fact that the season finale even matters shows the team’s fight.

“It’s super exciting to come from 2-6 to here,” defensive tackle Zach Sieler said. “It’s a testament to the team, the resilience of these guys and just the attitude we have around here. So I’m excited for this weekend.”

With no Tagovailoa, the defense will have to be even better against Rodgers and his elite receiver duo of Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson. The trio had arguably their best game of the season during the Jets’ Week 14 matchup against the Dolphins. Not only did Rodgers pass for more than 300 yards for the first time since December 2021, both Adams and Wilson had 100-yard receiving days.

“We need to stop them,” defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver said. “We obviously did not execute our plan the way we intended the first time, and we certainly didn’t go into it blind thinking like, ‘Oh, don’t got to worry about these guys.’ They’re incredibly talented. Obviously Rodgers, his relationship with Davante, it’s like they live together. They know what each other is going to do before they even have to signal anything, so we’re certainly cognizant of that. We have a chip from the way that last game went. It certainly wasn’t our best game, and we got to make that right.”

Dolphins linebacker Tyrel Dodson shared a similar sentiment, putting the onus on themselves rather than Rodgers’ prowess.

“‘A. Rod’ had a great day, but we let him have a great day,” said Dodson, the reigning AFC Defensive Player of the Week. “We missed tackles, we were out of fits, just as a whole defense. So we’ve got to tackle better. Any of you guys all know – if you don’t tackle well in the NFL, you’re not going to win. So it comes down to that – tackling and just bringing your A-game. We’re in the cold, who cares? Just bring you’re A-game.”

The Dolphins will likely have to rely on Duck to help limit the Adams-Wilson pair. Duck, to his credit, appeared excited for the matchup in the locker room on Friday.

“Just play ball,” Duck said of what it will take to stop the receiver duo. “That’s what I comes down to every week. From little league all the way up to this level, just having fun and going out there to compete.”

For all the moments that Rodgers gave football fans over the last two decades, there wasn’t a fan of his in the Dolphins locker room. There’s bigger things at play — a shot at the playoffs, contract incentives, etc. – that ultimately dwarf would could be the legendary quarterback’s swan song. Those with any doubt can look no further than rookie tackle Patrick Paul.

“It’s my first time playing in January,” Paul said Friday. “I always dreamed about playing in January. Dreamed about going to the playoffs. To be in a spot where you get an opportunity to go to the next level, it’s an amazing spot to be in. We’re ready to go out and attack. And if it is A-Rod’s last game, we’ll send him out with a L.

Added Paul: “He’s a phenomenal player too. Hall of fame. First ballot. He definitely not winning this last one.”