National Football League

Dolphins playing for pride in matchup against Vikings

Published Dec. 20, 2014 3:00 p.m. ET

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With a minuscule chance of making the playoffs, the Miami Dolphins (7-7) host the Minnesota Vikings (6-8) in a much different context than previous games this season.

Playing for pride more than anything else, the Dolphins have little else to compete for at this point -- though a winning record and a strong finish to the season might be enough to save some jobs. Maybe.

Why this team struggles in December so much in the Joe Philbin era (and beyond) continues to be a mystery but they should be able to handle the Vikings provided they shore up their rush defense, contain dangerous DE Everson Griffen who leads his team with 12 sacks and limit rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater. 

A strong bounce-back game from Dolphins QB Ryan Tannehill would significantly help Miami's chances as well, even if realistically there isn't much to fight for.

"You play for each other, you play for your team," said Tannehill. "You play to represent yourself and what you stand for as a person, as a player. So I don't have any problem getting motivation. I love to compete regardless if playoffs are on the line or not. It's a football game and I play to win. I think those guys in the locker room do the same."

Here's what to look for in the Week 16 matchup at Sun Life Stadium on Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

MATCHUP TO WATCH

Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater vs Dolphins defensive line, linebackers

Miami's defense has been hit hard with injuries the last few weeks and their performance has suffered as a result. But for Sunday's game, they should be welcoming back several key players including the linebacker trio of Koa Misi, Jonathan Freeny and Chris McCain. 

This will help to put pressure on Bridgewater, who has unsurprisingly been inconsistent playing with a rotating cast of players throughout the season but has enjoyed a promising rookie season overall.

"He's a competitor, a competitive guy who wants to do everything he can to make plays," said DE Cameron Wake. "He's obviously a guy who has a lot of heart and athletic ability on the field doing everything he can, whether it is with his legs or his arms to make the play. As a defense, that's a challenge to go out there and do whatever we can, make him uncomfortable back there and keep him from making plays. He's a guy who we feel like we match up well with the guys we have in the front."

An encouraging sign for the Dolphins is their manhandling of rookie QBs Blake Bortles of the Jacksonville Jaguars and Derek Carr of the Oakland Raiders previously this season, though it must be pointed out that the Vikings are by far the strongest of the three teams.

Still, Miami has averaged just a single sack in each of their last four games. It's just one of the many reasons why they are on the outside looking in with regards to the playoff picture.

TRENDING UP

Dolphins: Rookie receiver Jarvis Landry continues to be one of the bright spots for the Dolphins this season. He's caught at least five passes in his last seven games, the longest stretch by a Dolphins receiver since O.J. McDuffie with eight straight games in 1998.

Vikings: The Vikings are tied for sixth in the NFL with 38 sacks. This could spell trouble for Tannehill and the offensive line.

TRENDING DOWN

Dolphins: Miami has lost three of the past four games and the defense has yielded 30.3 points per game in that span.

Vikings: The only time the Vikings have won in Miami was 38 years ago. Can they finally put an end to that streak on Sunday against this inconsistent Dolphins team?

INJURY REPORT

Dolphins: Out: G Nate Garner (illness); Doubtful: T Dallas Thomas (foot), RB Daniel Thomas (knee); Questionable: CB Jamar Taylor (shoulder), LB Jelani Jenkins (foot), S Don Jones (shoulder) 

Vikings: Out: LB Anthony Barr (knee), G Charlie Johnson (ankle); Doubtful: TE Kyle Rudolph (ankle/knee); Questionable: S Robert Blanton (ankle/knee)

DID YOU KNOW?

Miami is 4-0 this season when playing against teams with losing records at the time.

QUOTEBOARD

"I've talked to (owner Stephen Ross). I've talked to him often, but what we discuss is private. I'm not worried about my future. I'm worried about the Minnesota Vikings. That's it.

"What my focus is and the team and staff is, this week, this is game 15, this is the 2014 season, what's happened in the past certainly at some point in time is relevant, but right now what's relevant is getting our team to play up to their potential for 60 minutes against the Minnesota Vikings. That's really all that is important to me right now." -- coach Philbin on his job security.

"They're sixth in the league in sacks, so they do a really good job. It's their blitz package. They like to pick guys, pick the offensive line and try to get one-on-one matchups with the running backs. They do a very good job. We've got to play really well on offense because they're going to come after the quarterback." -- Guard Mike Pouncey on Minnesota's defense.

"We want to do everything we can to make sure we get that W on Sunday." -- DE Cameron Wake.

LOOKING AHEAD

The Dolphins will host the New York Jets next Sunday at 1:00 p.m.

You can follow Surya Fernandez on Twitter @SuryaHeatNBA or email him at SuryaFoxSports@gmail.com.

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