Desperate dolphins need win in regular season finale

• If Miami loses to Buffalo — as it has in its last four matchups — it will have to play the reigning Super Bowl champion, the Kansas City Chiefs, on the road to open the playoffs, per the Miami Herald.
• The Dolphins have struggled in away games against playoff teams under head coach Mike McDaniel, including a blowout loss to the Baltimore Ravens last weekend.

Why it matters: The Dolphins haven't won its division in 15 years. The team hasn't won a playoff game in 23 years.

The intrigue: After months of media hype, expectations are high for the team with the NFL's highest-scoring offense and an HBO camera crew following them for the in-season docuseries "Hard Knocks."

• Miami has made the playoffs two straight seasons under McDaniel, but the franchise carries the weight of mediocrity spanning two decades.

What we're watching: Season-ending injuries to key defensive players Jaelan Phillips and Bradley Chubb mean Miami will be far from full strength during the regular-season finale Sunday.

• Cornerback Xavien Howard and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle are also unlikely to play Sunday with injuries.
• Wide receiver Tyreek Hill is a long shot to break the NFL's single-season receiving record of 2,000 yards. He would need a herculean 238-yard outing to do so.

Game time: 8:20pm at Hard Rock Stadium. Broadcast on NBC and Peacock.

• Tickets start at $250.