(My Sportsbook) - The Dolphins finally won a December game last week, earning a 20-3 victory in Buffalo. Miami is now 2-6 in December over the last two seasons, but the team was eliminated from playoff contention when the Broncos beat the Colts.
In typical Miami fashion, the Dolphins played a stellar game after shooting themselves in the foot. Miami dominated the Bills and quarterback Drew Bledsoe in the 17-point triumph, but its playoff chances were dimmed the week before when the 'Fins lost at home to Philadelphia.
Miami, which hosts the Jets in the season finale, is 3-4 at home this year and will miss the playoffs for the second straight season. This could be coach Dave Wannstedt's final game in Miami. Despite winning records, fans are frustrated by the team's poor play late in the season.
If Wannstedt remains as coach, it is likely that the Dolphins will bring in a general manager. Wannstedt has been handling personnel moves and the Dolphins free-agent signings have not panned out. Newcomers Junior Seau, Sammy Knight and Terrell Buckley all made costly mistakes against the Eagles two weeks ago.
Wannstedt is 3-7 in his career against the Jets.
LATE-SEASON LOSERS: While the Dolphins are out of the playoffs, they want to finish strong and end the perception of December losers.
New York defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell says records don't matter in this series; he expects the usual intensity level for a Jets-Dolphins game.
"Just mentioning Miami has to get the players pumped," Cottrell said. "We know we are out of the playoffs, but both teams are going to play hard. That's also the way Wannstedt coaches."
The Jets rank eighth in points per game against (18.4) and their pass defense has held up this year (181 ypg, 7th-NFL). However, New York's run defense is still a problem, as it has been for the past few years under Herm Edwards. The Jets rank 30th in the league against the run (147.5 ypg).
"We know the biggest challenge we'll face here in the last game is stopping Ricky [Williams]," Cottrell said. "He's got bumps and bruises like everyone else, but I know he'll be out there banging helmets with us when the horn sounds."
Williams had success running against the Jets in the first game. Expect another heavy dose of the former Heisman winner. The Jets were embarrassed in the first meeting when Williams gained 18 yards on a third-and-16 draw play.
The Dolphins won't decide Wannstedt's fate until evaluating the season. Whoever is running the Dolphins next year, though, will have to decide if Jay Fiedler is a quarterback who can win playoff games for Miami.
Not too far behind on the list of priorities will be improving the offensive line and finding a complementary receiver to play opposite Chris Chambers.
