Jason Sanders kicked his fifth field goal of the game, a 29-yarder as time expired, and the Miami Dolphins secured a playoff berth with a 22-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
— Jason Sanders remembers his first game-winning kick, a 53-yarder to beat Tulsa during his senior season at New Mexico in 2017.
His final kick Sunday was a bit easier.
The Miami Dolphins kicker nailed a 29-yard field goal as time expired to seal a 22-20 win over the Dallas Cowboys, clinching a playoff berth for the second consecutive season. Sanders also made a 50-yard field goal to beat the New York Jets in 2022 to clinch Miami’s first playoff berth since 2016.
Despite connecting on just 6 of his previous 16 kicks of at least 50 yards, Sanders connected on attempts of 57, 54 and 52 yards in a perfect 5-for-5 performance.
“Not every year can be an all-pro year, so I think I’m still hitting the kicks,” said Sanders, who is 22-for-26 on field goal attempts this season. “I’m still right where I need to be – a couple blocks here and there; I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.”
The win was the Dolphins’ first of the season against a team with a winning record – a narrative that had permeated the Dolphins’ locker room to some extent. Head coach Mike McDaniel has consistently recognized the presence of any concern about his team’s record against winning opponents, while also challenging his players to change it.
The second-year coach said he was proud of the way his team responded to the criticism surrounding it.
