Dolphins' playoff hopes alive entering finale vs. Jets

The Miami Dolphins remain in the hunt for a playoff berth as they take on the New York Jets on Sunday afternoon in East Rutherford, N.J.

The Dolphins (8-8), who have won two straight, need to beat the Jets (4-12) and hope the Denver Broncos lose at home to the Kansas City Chiefs in order to clinch the AFC's final playoff berth.

If Miami achieves this, it would be the first time it has made the playoffs in three consecutive seasons since making it five years in a row from 1997-2001. The Dolphins have not won a playoff game, however, since 2000.

Miami will have to beat the Jets without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who is expected to miss his second consecutive game with a hip injury. Tyler Huntley will likely make his second consecutive start and fifth of the season.

Huntley gave the Dolphins some confidence last week with a strong performance in a 20-3 road win over the Cleveland Browns. He completed 22 of 26 passes for 225 yards, threw for a touchdown, ran for another and did not throw an interception.

Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel didn't officially name Huntley the starter on Wednesday, but said Tagovailoa was limited at practice.

"As a team, I think it's very easy for us to adjust as the week progresses. But I think we have to approach it a certain way," McDaniel said. "That's an easy adjustment that we're definitely open-minded to, considering our timeline last week."

The Jets can only play spoiler to their longtime AFC East rivals, but the game has its own intrigue as future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers could be making the final start of his career.

Rodgers is under contract with the Jets for next season and will count for a cap hit of $23 million, but the Jets are heading into an offseason where they will hire a new head coach and general manager.

Rodgers, 41, returned this season after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury in his first game with New York in 2023. But Rodgers' 24 touchdown passes and 3,623 yards passing heading into Sunday's game are career lows for a season in which he has started at least 15 games.

Rodgers threw for a season-low 112 yards, no touchdowns and two interceptions in last week's ugly 40-14 loss at Buffalo.

"I'm just more resigned to the reality of the situation," Rodgers said. "I think there's going to be change here, and if I'm (not) a part of the change, then I just want to make sure everybody knows I have nothing but gratitude for my time here."

The Dolphins rallied to beat the Jets 32-26 in overtime in the first meeting on Dec. 8 in Miami. The Dolphins erased an eight-point fourth quarter deficit and won the game in the extra period on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa to Jonnu Smith. The Dolphins have won four of their past five games vs. the Jets.

Besides Tagovailoa for the Dolphins, LT Terron Armstead (knee), S Jordan Poyer (knee) and LB Anthony Walker (knee) had not returned to practice as of Wednesday. S Jevon Holland (wrist), WR Jaylen Waddle (knee) and WR Tyreek Hill (wrist) were limited in practice.

For the Jets, TE Tyler Conklin (calf), CB Sauce Gardner (hamstring), RT Morgan Moses (knee), RG Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) and DT Quinnen Williams (hamstring) did not practice as of Wednesday and LG John Simpson (groin) was limited.

--Field Level Media