Jason Sanders nailed his fifth field goal of the game as time expired and lifted the Miami Dolphins to a win Sunday evening over the Dallas Cowboys, 22-20.
Miami clinched a playoff spot for the second consecutive season and picked up its first win of the year against a playoff contender in the process. It’s the first time the team clinched a postseason berth in consecutive seasons since 2000 and 2001.
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Raheem Mostert #31 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a touchdown with Braxton Berrios and Cedrick Wilson Jr. during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 24, 2023, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
It was a thrilling finish in Miami Gardens.
Dak Prescott and the Cowboys were down 19-13 with 11:06 left in the game, and he guided the team down the field on a 17-play drive that lasted nearly eight minutes. The team tried to score on 4th-and-goal with 4:23 left and missed out, but Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard was called for a penalty.
Then, Prescott was sacked by Andrew Van Ginkel and Bradley Chubb to push them back further. On 3rd-and-goal, Prescott got the ball to Brandin Cooks who somehow came down with the ball in between two defenders for the go-ahead touchdown.
With 3:27 left, it was Tua Tagovailoa’s time. He led the team on a 12-play, 64-yard drive, converting on third down twice to get Sanders in position for the game-winning kick. He nailed it from 29 yards out.
Brandin Cooks of the Dallas Cowboys, bottom, scores a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Dec. 24, 2023. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
Tagovailoa finished with 293 passing yards and a touchdown pass to Raheem Mostert. The running back led the team with 46 rushing yards on 11 carries. Tyreek Hill had nine catches for 99 yards.
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Prescott was 20 of 32 for 253 yards and two touchdown passes. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb had six catches for 118 yards and a score. Tony Pollard led the team with 38 yards on 12 carries.
Not only did Miami clinch the playoff berth, the team remains in contention for home-field advantage. By Monday’s end, the Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens could both be 11-4, should the latter lose to the San Francisco 49ers. Miami also has the inside track to the AFC East title.
Jason Sanders #7 of the Miami Dolphins celebrates a field goal with Jake Bailey during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium, Dec. 24, 2023, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
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Dallas is already in the playoffs and could be in contention for an NFC East title if the Philadelphia Eagles lose to the New York Giants on Monday.
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