Miami Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders earned our ‘Player of the Game’ honors with his heroic performance against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 16.
Sanders came up clutch for a Dolphins team that finally secured a signature win. He came up big for his team every time his name was called upon on this Christmas Eve battle.
The 28-year-old was perfect on Sunday, hitting all five of his field goals, including the game-winner in the closing seconds. Sanders was responsible for 16 of the Dolphins’ 22 points with his five field goals and one extra point.
It’s been a season full of record book mentions for the Dolphins, and Sanders added to it today. Three of Sanders’ made field goals were from beyond 50 yards, setting a new Dolphins single-game record. The distance of Sanders’ three longest kicks were from 57, 52 and 54 yards. However, it was his shortest kick that turned out to be the biggest.
The Dolphins found themselves down for the first time in the second half with 3:27 left in the game. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa methodically led a 12-play, 64-yard drive to set up a game-winning field goal attempt. Sanders effortlessly made the 29-yard field goal, officially guaranteeing the Dolphins a spot in the playoffs with an 11-4 record.
Jason Sanders' 5th FG of the game sends the @MiamiDolphins to the #NFLPlayoffs! #DALvsMIA pic.twitter.com/OTFvcaRlKi
— NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2023
This win over the Cowboys is proof of the value of the kicker. Miami needed every field goal from Sanders to win this game. With all of the swirling narratives about whether or not the Dolphins can beat another playoff team, he delivered maybe the sweetest victory of the season for his team.
Sanders hasn’t had as many field goal attempts as most kickers this season due to the Dolphins high-powered offense scoring touchdowns at a high rate. And, head coach Mike McDaniel also elects often to bet on his offense on fourth down instead of kicking a field goal. He did, however, come into this week leading the NFL in made extra points.
Sunday was a perfect opportunity for Sanders to show he can be trusted in big-time moments in key games. Sanders has now made 22 of his 26 field goal attempts in 2023 and has five made field goals of at least 50 yards out in 2023. It’s encouraging to see him gaining confidence as the playoffs approach.
