Dolphins Beat Jets; Eliminate Steelers from Playoffs

The Miami Dolphins pulled out an ugly 11-6 win over the New York Jets in a game where neither team scored a touchdown. With the win, the Pittsburgh Steelers will go home for the off-season and Miami will visit Buffalo in the wild card round next week.

It’s a heartbreaking finish for those in the Steel City, after both the Steelers and Bills did what was needed to put Pittsburgh into position to slip into the playoffs. Instead, following kicker Jason Sanders’ winning field goal make, Miami undrafted rookie quarterback Skylar Thompson might make another start, this time in the playoffs.

0:00: SAFETY, NEW YORK: A lateral play ends in a safety, finishing the game and locking up a playoff spot for the Dolphins.

MIAMI 11, NEW YORK 6

0:18: FIELD GOAL, MIAMI: Sanders splits the uprights from 50 yards out. Dolphins take a late lead.

MIAMI 9, NEW YORK 6

11:59: FIELD GOAL, NEW YORK: Zeurlein’s 35-yard field goal brings it even once again.

END THIRD: Jets are driving in Miami territory as the third quarter comes to a close.

5:17: FIELD GOAL, MIAMI: Sanders’ 37-yard boot puts the Dolphins back ahead. Thompson headed to the medical tent after coming to the sideline.

END HALF: Thompson and Miami let the time run out on the second frame after pushing the ball near midfield. Following a 15-yard pass to Jaylen Waddle, Thompson misfired and was sacked for a 12-yard loss.

1:35, FIELD GOAL, NEW YORK: From 23 yards closer than his first attempt, Zeurlein split the uprights to knot the game up.

DOLPHINS 3, JETS 3

5:17: FIELD GOAL, MIAMI: After the Jets’ Greg Zeurlein pushed a 55-yard field goal attempt just left, Miami took advantage by driving the other way and capping a 10-play march with a Jason Sanders make. The Dolphins lead, 3-0, with 5:17 to go in the first half.

DOLPHINS 3, JETS 0

END FIRST: A quarter in, neither team had gotten on the board yet. Both had crossed midfield, but were still looking to punch it in.

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel decided to gamble early, going for it on fourth-and-five from the visitors’ 44-yard line. Thompson was chased and wound up throwing an incompletion, turning the ball over on downs.

Steelers Playoff Watch: The New York Jets visit the Miami Dolphins, who are hoping to wind up with a playoff spot. Both teams are rolling out quarterbacks who were buried on the depth chart earlier this season, making this one a toss-up. Joe Flacco will start for the Jets while rookie Skylar Thompson is slated to come out of the huddle for Miami.

RELATED: Full Steelers playoff scenarios for Week 18. 

Full NFL Playoff Picture