Dolphins need victory, help to make playoffs

CLEVELAND — The Miami Dolphins need plenty of outside help to make the AFC playoffs. First, though, they must help themselves.

With no margin for error, the Dolphins (7-8) hope to stay in the postseason hunt at least another week with a win Sunday over the Browns (3-12), whose season disintegrated weeks ago and appear on the brink of another disruptive offseason.

For Miami, this is another must-win situation, which is no different from a week ago when the Dolphins beat San Francisco. But with just two games left, the Dolphins’ bubble is precariously brittle.

There are several scenarios that could lead them to a playoff berth, but they all begin with wins in Cleveland and at the New York Jets (4-11) next week. Also, they’ll need various combinations of losses by the Los Angeles Chargers, Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos just to make the field.

In fact, the Chargers (9-6) and Broncos (9-6) both play Saturday, and if they win, the Dolphins could be eliminated before they even get to Cleveland.

Miami took a pregame hit on Saturday, when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was downgraded to doubtful with a hip injury that limited him in practice this week. If Tagovailoa can’t play, Tyler Huntley, who spent training camp with the Browns, will make his fourth start this season.

The Dolphins’ playoff odds aren’t great — roughly 10% according to various playoff projection sites — but coach Mike McDaniel is confident his players have a single mindset and purpose.

Focus shouldn’t be an issue.

“This team, what they’ve really gone through and fought for, it’s not a difficult task seeing how we have, a one-game season and our chances at the playoffs are at stake,” McDaniel said. “That has been a driving force — really is for our locker room and our coaching staff, really wants to play the type of football that we felt like we fell short of at portions of the season.”

Like any team, the Dolphins have had their share of ups and downs. If they miss the playoffs, a 2-6 start will be among the biggest regrets.

While their odds aren’t great, Tagovailoa said he and his teammates should be grateful for what’s ahead.

“It’s an opportunity and I don’t think any of us on our team should take this for granted,” said Tagovailoa, who may have more perspective than others given his history with concussions.