In a crucial matchup between two 10-4 teams on Christmas Eve, the Miami Dolphins emerged victorious as they narrowly defeated the Dallas Cowboys 22-20, clinching a playoff berth.
The Cowboys rallied from a nine-point deficit in the fourth quarter to keep it close late, but the Dolphins marched down the field, ran out the clock, and set up a final field goal to win the game, silencing the narratives that Miami cannot beat a playoff-caliber team.
Dolphins Defeat Cowboys in Exciting Holiday Matchup
The Dolphins entered the game 0-3 against teams with winning records. They have now reached the postseason in consecutive seasons for the first time since making it five seasons in a row from 1997-2001, and are 11-4 for the first time since 1990.
After Brandon Aubrey hit a 33-yarder to cut the Cowboys deficit to just six points in the fourth quarter, Prescott hit Brandin Cooks in the corner of the end zone to put Dallas up by a single point with just 3:27 left in the game. That score came on a 17-play drive, which was the Cowboys’ longest of the year.
COOKS IS IN THE KITCHEN 🔥
What a catch by Brandin Cooks 🤯
The #DallasCowboys take the lead!
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 25, 2023
But the excitement of that drive soon faded for Cowboys fans as the Dolphins got down the field and scored on their following drive.
On the Dolphins’ final drive, running back De’Von Achane drew a facemask penalty on Cowboys linebacker Damone Clark at the end of a six-yard run. The 15-yard infraction pushed the Dolphins to near midfield after just one play. Tua Tagovailoa led the team down the field, where they were able to run the clock down prior to the game-winning field goal.
On social media, fans reacted to the game, with some calling out the Cowboys’ defense for being unable to perform in critical situations.
“The best part about this Cowboys loss is the fact Dak had a great game-winning drive gave their fans all kinds of hope, and then their defense just let Miami walk right down the field,” one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
MORE: PFN’s FREE NFL Playoff Predictor
“This one is about a big fumble, and a defense that couldn’t make a play at the end when it mattered most,” another wrote.
The star of the day for the Dolphins was kicker Jason Sanders, who made five field goals, including the game-winning 29-yarder on the last play of the game.
Jason Sanders today:
– 5/5 FG
– 3/3 50+ yard FG
– Hit career long 57 yard FG
– GAME WINNERLegacy game🔥 pic.twitter.com/OddhIS24Yl
— King of Phinland🐬👑 (@KingOfPhinland) December 25, 2023
After the game, Sanders said “I felt like I was waiting for that moment since the Jets game last year.”
For Dolphins fans, the game was a perfect Christmas gift.
“What a win for the Dolphins! Buries the can’t beat good team theory. Tua was excellent and leads game-winning drive. Jason Sanders game ball. Just huge. Clinch a playoff berth. Chance at division title next week. 11-4 first time in over 30 years. Noche very Buena.” One user wrote on X.
Tagovailoa finished with 293 yards and a touchdown, while Dak Prescott had 253 yards and two touchdowns.
The now 11-4 Dolphins hit the road in Week 17 to take on the AFC’s top-seed, the 11-3 Baltimore Ravens, who play on Christmas Day against the NFC’s top seed, the San Francisco 49ers. The 10-5 Cowboys return to Dallas for their final home game in the 2023 regular season against the NFC North Detroit Lions on Saturday.
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