Only one NFL team has been outgained by nearly
1
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yards and is still in the playoff picture — the underwhelming, overachieving
Miami Dolphins.They’re 6-6 and part of the crowded AFC wild-card race despite
statistics that would sink most teams. The Dolphins rank 29th in the NFL in
offense and 29th in defense, 29th in third-down conversions and 28th in red zone
scoring.So how have they managed a lofty .500 record?“Turnover margin,” coach
Adam Gase said Monday. “The amount of turnovers our defense is getting is what
we need, and then we don’t turn it over a whole bunch.”He’s right. The Dolphins
are tied for seventh in turnover differential at plus-eight, and third in
takeaways with 25. The impact on the scoreboard has been “insane,” Gase
said.More Miami Dolphins newsDolphins sign hometown WR Allen Hurns to 1-year
contractNew Dolphins coach Brian Flores has his own daily workout at training
campDolphins assistant coach Jim Caldwell takes leave of absence to address
health issuesTwo-time Pro Bowl safety Reshad Jones rejoins Dolphins after
skipping voluntary practicesDolphins QBs Josh Rosen, Ryan Fitzpatrick embrace
battle for No. 1 jobTurnover differential was the difference
Sunday
Dexter
Williams Jersey , when Miami was outgained by Buffalo 415 yards to 175 but
won the turnovers battle, 3-1, and the game, 21-17.It also helped that the
Bills’ Charles Clay dropped a fourth-down pass at the goal line in the final
minute.“It’s better to be lucky than good,” Miami linebacker Kiko Alonso
said.Luck might play a small role in explaining the Dolphins’ knack for
outperforming the stats. It dates back to Gase’s first season in 2016, when they
were outgained by 798 yards but went 10-6. That’s their only playoff team in the
past decade.Someone reminded Gase his team has been outgained this year by 1,168
yards.“Great,” Gase
responded
Max
Scharping Jersey , meaning the opposite of great. His team is on pace to
surpass the franchise record disparity of 1,321 in 1967, the Dolphins’ second
season.This year only Cincinnati (5-7) and Arizona (3-9) have larger yardage
deficits. To which the Dolphins say: So what.“It’s all about us putting the ball
in the end zone and having the most points at the end of the game,” running back
Kenyan Drake said.Oddsmakers aren’t impressed by that approach: Miami is a
touchdown underdog at home Sunday against AFC East leader New England (9-3)
.Gase believes the Dolphins actually should be 8-4. They blew double-digit
fourth-quarter leads in losses at Cincinnati and Indianapolis.As it is, Miami is
tied with three other teams in the AFC, one game behind the Baltimore Ravens for
the sixth seed and final wild-card spot in the AFC.“Obviously, in order to stay
in the hunt, we’ve got to
win
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receiver Kenny Stills said. “And we know that.”For a change, the Dolphins begin
the week with no significant new injuries. Ryan Tannehill, playing in his second
game since returning from a shoulder injury, shook off several jarring hits to
throw three touchdown passes against Buffalo.“He’s as tough as they come,” Gase
said.The Dolphins have endured so many injuries that Gase said it’s a different
team from the one that lost to New England 38-7 in Week 4.The obvious goal this
week will be to keep the score closer, and if the Dolphins do that, don’t
discount their chances. In one-score games Gase is 6-1 this year, and 19-6 in
his three seasons with the Dolphins.In other games he’s 3-17. Sometimes relying
on turnovers isn’t enough.
RENTON
Cullen
Gillaspia Jersey , Wash. (AP)The Seattle Seahawks addressed one of their
offseason needs by signing tight end Ed Dickson to a three-year contract.While
Dickson isn’t intended to be a replacement for Jimmy Graham, he is the kind of
tight end Seattle needs if it’s going to return to an offense that controls the
game with the run. Dickson is an excellent blocker who also was a serviceable
pass-catching option during his time in Baltimore and Carolina.Dickson had 30
receptions and one touchdown last season with the Panthers. He spent four
seasons with the Panthers after four seasons in Baltimore.It’s also a return
home for Dickson, who played collegiately at Oregon. Dickson’s contract, which
was announced Friday, is worth up to $14 million and includes a $2.6 million
signing bonus.Seattle also formally announced the signing of linebacker
Barkevious Mingo.—