The New England Patriots will not be able to clinch a playoff spot in week 14, nor will they be able to clinch a first round bye because both the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Miami Dolphins were victorious. Combine their victories with a loss by the Denver Broncos and both the Steelers and Dolphins were well positioned to make a playoff push.
Unfortunately for the Dolphins, their victory came with a serious price that greatly affects their future success.
SLATER SCOOP: Ryan Tannehill has an ACL injury, source says. He is out for the season. #Dolphins
— Andy Slater (@AndySlater) December 11, 2016
Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill is out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury. Tannehill is the second best starting quarterback in the AFC East and, despite all his flaws, he was a big reason for why the Dolphins were making a late season run for a wild card spot.
Now, the Dolphins will turn to Matt Moore, who hasn’t been asked to have a major role since 2011. Miami’s prospects are bleak for the rest of the year and their odds of catching the Patriots for the division crown are all but gone.
The Patriots are scheduled to face the Dolphins in week 17, but it’s possible that the Patriots will have homefield advantage on the line, while Miami’s season could be over. That didn’t stop the Dolphins from playing spoiler last year, but it’s something to monitor.
Best of luck to Tannehill in his recovery.