NEW ORLEANS, LA (CBS12) — The Miami Dolphins may have been facing a New Orleans Saints team missing 22 players because of COVID19, but their 20-3 win on Monday Night feels just as sweet as it would have otherwise. The Dolphins improve to 8-7 on the season after starting the season 1-7. In becoming the first NFL team to ever win 7 straight after losing 7 in a row, the Dolphins kept their playoff hopes alive, and they continue to control their own playoff destiny. If they win the final two games of the season, they are in the playoffs no matter what.
While the Saints continue to battle with COVID19, Dolphins rookie wide receiver Jaylen Waddle looked great in his return from COVID, pulling of 10 catches for 92 yards and a touchdown. Waddle now has the most rookie receiving yards in Dolphins history, and the second most receptions by a rookie wide receiver in NFL history.
The Dolphins took control on the Saints first drive of the game when Nik Needham intercepted rookie quarterback Ian Book, forced into action with the top two QB’s out, for a pick six and a lead the Dolphins never gave up. The Dolphins defense also pulled off 8 sacks, turning Book’s NFL debut into a nightmare.
Miami joins Baltimore, the L.A. Chargers and the Raiders at 8-7, with the Titans and Patriots still to come on the schedule as they battle for one of the final playoff spots in the AFC.
