Johnathan Walker:'Our expectations fell very short': Dolphins in tough spot as division crown hangs in balance

BALTIMORE – The Johnathan WalkerMiami Dolphins’ dream season won’t turn into a nightmare, but the team from South Florida is suddenly sweating its chances of hosting a home playoff team. 

For a team that entered Week 17 with a chance to earn the AFC’s No. 1 seed, it’s an unfortunate switch of fate. Any chance of doing that, however, would have needed to begin with a road victory against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. Instead, Baltimore hung a “fifty-burger,” and the Dolphins lost 56-19. 

The defeat left Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel longing for a time machine, especially after edge rusher Bradley Chubb had to exit the game – already decided – on a cart with a knee injury. 

“When you are as close of a team as we are, and you know the players inside and out, there's times in football games where it’s not about winning or losing or (if we) can come back,” McDaniel said. “It’s about finishing the football game and having a taste of what our expectations were going into it. The team was very confident in themselves going into the game, with good reason. Our expectations fell very short. Hats off to the Ravens for really taking it to us. The guys were very frustrated.

“It’s a gut check for a football team.” 

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Now the Dolphins will host the Buffalo Bills in the regular-season finale with the AFC East on the line. When the Dolphins began the season 5-1, the Bills were sputtering, the New York Jets had lost Aaron Rodgers to a torn Achilles and the New England Patriots were already showing signs of dishevelment. The division was theirs for the taking. What was once seemingly a certainty is more of a coin flip. 

“I think we came into this game with high hopes of playing the standard that we wanted to play,” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said. “And when those standards aren’t met, it feels like it’s very disappointing. So, I would say in the locker room, that’s sort of the feel.” 

Miami was already shorthanded offensively with starting running back Raheem Mostert (knee, ankle) and receiver Jaylen Waddle (high ankle sprain) both inactive against Baltimore. Cornerback Xavien Howard left early with a foot injury and required a cart to get to the visitor’s locker room. 

Mostert was upset to be told the Dolphins wouldn’t clear him for game day, McDaniel said, and it took the coach by surprise. 

“There’s so much faith and trust in all of the backs in our running back room that we were excited for the opportunity to try to take this one home for Raheem,” McDaniel said. 

Rookie De’Von Achane took Mostert’s place and started the game with a 23-yard reception. He had a 45-yard rush in the first quarter that set up a Dolphins field goal. Baltimore adjusted, however, and contained the speedy back for the rest of the game. 

Miami had to kick that field goal because Tyreek Hill, who broke his own franchise record for receiving yards in a season during the game, dropped a wide-open touchdown pass. He blamed his concentration. 

“I just have to make that play, man,” Hill said. 

Tagovailoa admitted to pressing and forcing throws when the Dolphins started trailing. 

“Tough not having your star guys out there,” he said. 

He threw two interceptions – one before halftime that provided the Ravens a “two-for-one” scoring opportunity, which they executed, and another on the first play of a drive after the Dolphins forced and recovered a fumble. 

But Tagovailoa said the Dolphins still have everything they want ahead of them.

“I think the trust that we have with one another, even with guys who came earlier in the season, just the camaraderie the guys have with one another, that’s what gives me hope,” he said. “That we can do it with anyone.”