MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Jason Sanders had waited all season for this moment. On a Miami Dolphins team that scores more touchdowns than any other in the NFL, the former All-Pro kicker hadn’t needed to attempt many field goals.
Sanders entered Sunday’s matchup against the Dallas Cowboys with just 21 field goal attempts on the year but delivered one of the biggest kicks of his entire career on Christmas Eve.
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Sanders kicked his fifth field goal of the day, a 29-yarder as time expired, and the Dolphins secured a playoff berth with a 22-20 victory over the Cowboys.
Full game recap:
First quarter
The Dolphins defense stood tall after the Cowboys chose to receive the ball and had their first offensive drive with a fumble on a bad exchange between quarterback Dak Prescott and fullback Hunter Luepke ended with a recovery by Dolphins safety Brandon Jones at the 1-yard line.
Miami’s first offensive possession ended with a 57-yard field goal by kicker Jason Sanders. The drive was highlighted by a 50-yard pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle with cornerback Stephon Gilmore in coverage.
Dallas took advantage of the Dolphins’ secondary in their second possession after Prescott found Ceedee Lamb for a 49-yard touchdown strike (7-3 Cowboys).
Second Quarter
The Dolphins’ defensive line continued to dominate the Cowboys after defensive tackle Zack Sieler and linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel sacked Prescott late in the second quarter by forcing a Dallas punt.
Miami’s offense responded on their final drive of the first half after Tua connected with Durham Smythe on a pair of first-down connections and running back De’Von Achane continued to churn the ball upfield in the air and on the ground with gains of 7 and 8 yards.
The Dolphins capped off the drive with a 4-yard, one-handed touchdown grab by running back Raheem Mostert. Mostert now has 21 touchdowns on the season and is closing in on former Washington Redskins running back John Riggins for most touchdowns in a season at 30 years of age or older (24).
The Dolphins took a 13-7 lead over the Dallas Cowboys heading into halftime and received the ball in the second half.
Third Quarter
After pinning the Cowboys back to their 4 yard line, the Dolphins defensive line continued to pressure Prescott and forced a three-and-out.
On Miami’s next offensive possession, Tua found Hill on gains of 12 and 17 yards which resulted in Sanders’ third field goal from 50 yards or more, (57, 52, 54) increasing Miami’s lead to 16-7.
During a 6-play, 50 yard drive, Prescott found wide receiver Jalen Tolbert on a 45 yard strike which set up a Brandon Aubrey field goal that cut Miami’s lead to 16-10 with just over 5 minutes left in the third quarter.
The Tagovailoa-Hill connection continued to thrive in the third quarter after seeing two first down gains on a drive that ended with a fourth Sanders field goal from 35 yards out, increasing Miami’s lead to 19-10 heading into the fourth quarter.
Fourth Quarter
During the Cowboys’ first drive of the fourth quarter, Prescott was able to pick up 21 yards with his legs along with an illegal contact penalty that helped Dallas cut Miami’s lead to 6 with a second converted field goal by Aubrey. Score: Dolphins 19 Cowboys 13
After a Micah Parsons sack late in the fourth quarter, Dallas was able to respond with their own 17-play, 69-yard drive that ended with a touchdown pass to Brandon Cooks for an 8-yard score. Score: Cowboys 20 Dolphins 19.
Following a 15-yard facemask penalty on Achane, the Dolphins were able to march into Cowboys territory with first down receptions by Cedrick Wilson and Hill.
Sanders continued his record-setting day by hitting a 29-yard game winner against the Cowboys. Sanders’ fifth field goal gave him the highest number of converted field goals in his career. Dolphins 22 Cowboys 20.
The Dolphins (11-4) clinched a playoff spot with a win over the Dallas Cowboys (10-5) and it became the first time this season that Miami has defeated a team with a winning record after losing previous games to the Bills, Eagles and Chiefs.
The team will now look to earn home field advantage throughout the playoffs as they prepare to face the No.1 seeded Baltimore Ravens next Sunday at 1 p.m. from M&T Bank Stadium.