Why the Dolphins should feel good about their path to AFC East title
The Miami Dolphins turned in a clunker in their Week 11 win over the Las Vegas Raiders, but if the season ends with their second AFC East division title since 2008, no one will remember the tarnish of the 20-13 victory at Hard Rock Stadium.
It's not like there wasn't any shine for the Dolphins, though. Star cornerback Jalen Ramsey was electric, sealing the win with his second interception of the game.
Ramsey literally reached a level beyond with that pick. Even Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill, who is somewhat of an acrobat himself and is on pace to set NFL records, was awed by his teammate.
"He’s the best corner in the league, man," Hill said, per AP's Alanis Thames. "The way he just laid out for his team just really shows how he cares about his brothers."
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel couldn't contain his glee over Ramsey's performance.
Sunday was only Ramsey's third game of the season after recovering from a training camp knee injury, so imagine what he can do with a few more games under his cape. Miami continues to activate key players off IR, so its pursuit of the division crown will unfold with as close to the best version of the Dolphins possible.
Four-time Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead, arguably the Dolphins most valuable player besides quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, has suited up for the past two games. WR River Cracraft is back to provide more depth and rookie running back sensation De'Von Achane returned after a four-game absence, but re-injured the same knee in the first quarter against the Raiders. Left guard Isaiah Wynn, who would be a welcome addition on the interior of the offensive line, is eligible to return soon as well.
"We do have to play a little bit better complementary football at times, and we’ll continue striving to do that and be that team that we feel like we can be," Ramsey said, per Sports Illustrated's Alain Poupart.
It will be interesting to see what the Dolphins can be when the chess board has every piece at McDaniel's disposal. Despite their 32-6 win over the New York Jets in Week 11, the second-place Bills (6-5) seem to be regressing. A favorable schedule for Miami, which includes four of its last five games at home, gives the Dolphins (7-3) a big advantage.
"The goal is to win the division," McDaniel said, per CBS News Miami. "That is the only way you ensure that you're, for one, in the playoffs, you have a home game in the playoffs and you set yourself up for a journey, not a game."
In 2008, the year of that last division title, Miami RB Ronnie Brown was lining up in a derivative of the single-wing offense. It would be wild if Miami could finally win another one this season.
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