Dolphins defeat Browns to keep playoff hopes alive

Field Level Media|published: Sun 29th December, 19:37 2024

Dec 29, 2024; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tyler Huntley (18) throws the ball as Cleveland Browns linebacker Jordan Hicks (58) defends him during the second quarter at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images

Tyler Huntley completed 22 of 26 passes for 225 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions, and ran for another score to lead the Miami Dolphins to a 20-3 victory over the host Cleveland Browns on Sunday in Cleveland, Ohio.

Huntley made his fourth start of the season, and did so in place of Dolphins' injured starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who sat out with a hip injury.

With the win, the Dolphins (8-8) kept their playoff hopes alive heading into week 18. Miami must beat the New York Jets next week and needs the Denver Broncos to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs in order to secure the AFC's final wild-card playoff berth.

Cleveland (3-13) lost its fifth in a row and seventh in its past eight games.

The Dolphins were also missing wide receiver Jaylen Waddle due to a wrist injury. But Tyreek Hill gave Huntley a reliable target in Miami's passing game as he caught all nine passes thrown his way for 105 yards as the Dolphins won for the sixth time in eight games.

Leading 13-3 in the fourth quarter, the Dolphins sealed the outcome when Huntley connected with Jonnu Smith on a 7-yard touchdown pass with 3:38 to go. Smith tied the Dolphins' franchise record for receiving touchdowns by a tight end with his seventh of the year.

Dorian Thompson-Robinson started for the Browns, but struggled and completed only 24 of 47 passes for 170 yards, no touchdowns and an interception. Jerry Jeudy led the Browns with a career-high 12 catches for 94 yards.

Emanuel Ogbah's strip sack of Thompson-Robinson and fumble recovery by Da'Shawn Hand ended an advance into Dolphins' territory with 5:29 left in the third quarter.

Trailing 13-3, Cleveland had a chance to make it a one score game early in the fourth quarter. But instead of attempting a field goal at the Dolphins' 3-yard line, the Browns went for it on fourth and goal and failed when Jalen Ramsey deflected a pass intended for Jeudy in the end zone. The Browns went 0 for 4 on fourth downs.

Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead suffered a knee injury and was ruled out in the second half. Cleveland lost a key defender during the game when cornerback Denzel Ward left the game with a right shoulder injury and did not return.

--Field Level Media

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