by Sam Greene
December 24, 2023
The conclusion of the game between the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins will provide answers to two pivotal questions. Firstly, can the Cowboys secure victories against playoff-bound teams on the road? And secondly, are the Dolphins equipped to hold their ground against the NFL’s top-tier teams? Miami, a slight favorite, will host the game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., with kickoff set for 4:25 p.m. ET on Sunday, to be broadcasted by Fox.
These teams boast the first and second positions in scoring offenses in the NFL. The Dolphins maintain an average of 31.5 points, slightly ahead of the Cowboys’ 30.8 points per game.
Dallas, led by quarterback Dak Prescott, has tallied 40 or more points in five games this season, but only one of those occasions was on the road, and merely two were against teams with playoff potential (Rams and Seahawks). Notably, the Cowboys’ four losses occurred away from home against Arizona, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Buffalo.
Despite this, the strategy of amassing points has proven successful for Prescott and his array of offensive weapons. The Cowboys possess one of the NFL’s top-scoring defenses, although some lopsided victories against teams like the Giants, Jets, Patriots, Commanders, and Panthers, where the defense conceded 10 points or fewer, may skew the statistics.
With a 10-4 record, the Dolphins lead the AFC East and are highly likely to secure a playoff spot. However, the question lingers: are they legitimate Super Bowl contenders?
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, boasting a 71 percent completion rate and 25 touchdowns, along with receiver Tyreek Hill, who has accumulated 1,542 yards and 12 TDs, are both enjoying MVP-caliber seasons. However, all of Miami’s victories have been against teams currently at or below .500. The upcoming challenges against the Cowboys, Ravens, and Bills will test the true colors of the Dolphins and reveal how their middle-of-the-road defense fares against some of the league’s elite teams.
In a 30-0 victory against the Jets in Week 15, Miami didn’t miss Hill, who was a game-time decision and remained on the sidelines. There’s a possibility he may suit up against Dallas, and his presence could significantly impact a game that may evolve into a shootout, providing valuable insights about both teams as they approach the postseason.