A pair of key quarterback decisions could decide the final spot in the AFC playoff picture.
The Miami Dolphins are planning to start Tyler Huntley in a must-win Week 18 game against the New York Jets, coach Mike McDaniel said Wednesday.
“I’m approaching it as though I think Snoop (Huntley) is starting today,” McDaniel said during Wednesday’s media availability. “Obviously, the team, it’s very easy for us to adjust as the week progresses. But I think you have to approach it a certain way, and then it’s an easy adjustment that we’re definitely open-minded to considering our timeline last week.”
Tua Tagovailoa, who missed the team’s Week 17 game against the Cleveland Browns, will be a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice. McDaniel previously listed Tagovailoa’s status Sunday as in the “gray area, firmly in the unknown,” adding that the quarterback’s recovery is “all about time.”
Tagovailoa suffered a hip injury in Week 15 against the Houston Texans. He decided to play through the injury the following week against the San Francisco 49ers, aggravating it in the process. Huntley made his fourth start of the season against Cleveland, resulting in a 20-3 win for the Dolphins. He finished the afternoon 22-for-26 for 225 yards and a touchdown, adding 52 rushing yards and a touchdown on seven carries. The Dolphins are 2-2 this season with Huntley as a starter, picking up an additional win against the Patriots and dropping games against the Titans and Colts.
While Miami’s playoff hopes are still alive, they need some help. In addition to beating the Jets, the Dolphins also need the Denver Broncos to lose to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Broncos, who will be facing off against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, will now be preparing to take on backup Carson Wentz.
The Chiefs have elected to rest quarterback Patrick Mahomes in favor of Wentz, who has not started an NFL game since Week 18 of 2023 with the Los Angeles Rams. Wentz finished 17-for-24 for 163 yards, two touchdowns and an interception in the game. The Rams beat the 49ers that day in a game in which both teams rested many of their starters. Wentz has appeared in two games for the Chiefs this season, completing both his pass attempts for a combined 20 yards.
“It wasn’t a hard decision,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said Wednesday. “I’ve been through it before. I’m not too worried. It gives the other guys an opportunity to grow.”
The Cincinnati Bengals also remain alive in the AFC wild-card race. They need a win Saturday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers and losses by the Dolphins and Broncos on Sunday to steal the No. 7 seed.
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(Photo: Nick Cammett / Getty Images)
