Dolphins’ playoff chances nothing compared to Jonnu Smith’s toss

According to Pro Football Network’s Playoff Predictor, the Dolphins have a 24.2-percent chance of earning a postseason berth. In Sunday’s 34-19 win over the Raiders, Miami’s Jonnu Smith overcame much longer odds.

The tight end against registered a career-best 101 yards and matched his career high with two touchdown receptions last week, including a game-icing, 57-yard touchdown from Tua Tagovailoa. But as the Dolphins (4-6) cling to those 1-in-4 playoff hopes, they can take inspiration from this: After Smith’s first touchdown reception, he flung the ball into the stands and – miraculously – the ball landed in the hands of his oldest son. The official attendance at Hard Rock Stadium was 65,440. Smith detailed the event on Monday’s edition of the Pat McAfee Show.

“I didn’t even know they were sitting over there,” Smith recalled for McAfee. “I had no idea. I think I found out later, I think it was probably in the second half that I saw them, he was calling my name. So, I realized then. And then later in the fourth quarter, one of the guys came over to me and was like, ‘Yo, my girl is sitting over there and said that your family caught the ball.’

“I’m glad we got the footage because nobody would’ve ever believed it. Nobody would’ve ever believed us.”

Nobody would’ve believed the Dolphins would still be in the playoff conversation just four weeks ago, when Miami was 2-4, Tagovailoa’s career was in question and Miami’s offense ranked last in the league, averaging just 11.7 points per game. Since Tagovailoa’s Week 8 return, however, the Dolphins have averaged 27.8 points per outing, eighth in the league over that span.

Tagovailoa has come off the mat with renewed vigor. Since his return, he’s posted the NFL’s best completion percentage, 77.7 percent, having completed 101 of 138 attempts for 960 yards, seven touchdowns and only one interception, a 112.2 passer rating.

What’s more, Tagovailoa has never lost to New England. He’s 6-0 against the Patriots (3-8), who visit Miami on Sunday (1 p.m. ET, CBS).

And if the Dolphins are going to fight for the AFC’s final playoff berth, they can focus on their conference record, one of the key tiebreakers they’ll need. First, they’ll have to hope a head-to-head loss to Indianapolis (5-6) doesn’t hurt them. And, if it doesn’t, there’s plenty of hope in South Florida.

Miami’s AFC record is just 3-4 but the Dolphins have plenty of opportunities ahead. Of their seven remaining opponents, five are against AFC foes. And of those five, only one – Houston (7-4) – currently has a winning record. Those five remaining conference opponents have a combined 18-36 record (.333).

For more information on the Dolphins and Patriots, visit the Miami and New England team pages at ProFootballPost.com.