The Dolphins defense smothered Cleveland to the tune of two takeaways and just three points allowed. Quarterback Tyler Huntley threw for 225 yards and rushed for 53 more as the Dolphins cruised to a 20-3 victory, keeping the postseason dream alive.
These are the takeaways from Miami's must-win performance.
1. Snoop! There It Is!
Without quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this season, the Dolphins were averaging just 10 points per game. With Tagovailoa downgraded to doubtful Saturday, Miami's playoff hopes were handed off to Dania Beach native Tyler Huntley. And Huntley delivered.
He completed 22-of-26 passes for 225 yards, added 53 on the ground and had both a passing and rushing touchdown.
Perhaps most impressively was how Huntley played on time and in rhythm within the offense. He threw with poise and confidence, showcasing the hard work he has put in with the Miami playbook during his two months watching from the sidelines.
"When he came back from injury and he was doing the scout team work, you could feel an enhanced confidence that was bleeding over from his ownership of what he was tasked to do as a quarterback for our offense," Head Coach Mike McDaniel said. "You could feel his impact on the daily practice field."
2. Dominant Defense
The task at hand for the Dolphins defense was simple: limit a struggling Browns offense. Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver's group didn't just hold Cleveland to three points, but they generated two takeaways and four stops on fourth down.
The first fourth down stop came with the score tied at 3 at the end of the first half as Cleveland was on the cusp of field goal range. Defensive Tackle Calais Campbell won immediately off the snap and teamed up with outside linebacker Quinton Bell for the stop, giving the ball back to the Miami offense.
Then, in a 13-3 game in the fourth quarter, the Browns kept the offense on the field for a fourth-down play from the 3-yard line. Cleveland opted for best-on-best, as they attacked wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, but it was the Dolphins top cornerback, Jalen Ramsey, who would win the rep and register a pass breakup.
Linebacker Tyrel Dodson produced an interception and Linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah forced a fumble that was recovered by Defensive Tackle Da'Shawn Hand. In total, the Browns had the six instances the ball turned over, five punts and one field goal on 12 possessions.
3. Week 18 Scenarios
Thanks to the Dolphins win over the Browns, and losses by the Broncos and Colts in Week 17, Miami has a path to the playoffs entering the final week of the season.
If the Dolphins beat the Jets, and the Broncos lose to the Chiefs, Miami will return to the postseason for the third consecutive season.
"For the first time in my life, I'm about to be a big Chiefs fan," Calais Campbell said after the game.
Both games will kick off Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET.
Dolphins fans remember the 2016 season when the Dolphins won on Christmas Eve in Buffalo, followed a Chiefs win over the Broncos on Christmas to punch their ticket to the postseason.
Can history repeat itself in Week 18?
For more analysis, takeaways and breakdowns, download the Drive Time Podcast with Travis Wingfield, available on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
