Players say they have learned their lesson from last season’s collapse

The Miami Dolphins had everything going in their favor at the end of the 2013 season. They had just upset the New England Patriots and all they had to do was either beat the New York Jets or the Buffalo Bills - both teams who were underachieving. However, they weren't able to beat either of them and in the process of losing, looked like a team deflated and unmotivated.

Tannehill admits that he hasn't thought much about the Jets game from last year until last week and said he doesn't think about it on a regular basis. However, he did say that he realizes now that they play some of their best football against them due to the rivalry, regardless of what their record is. He also understands now just how important December games are in the NFL and knows that it's time to step up.

"All games are important in the NFL, but, when you really look at it, December is when you either make or break. You either fight your way into the playoffs or you let your spot slip. So it’s a huge month for us. It was last year and I think we learned from that. We didn’t finish it off the way we wanted to. We have an opportunity this year to play well in December and have a shot at going where we want to go. So it’s all in our hands.” 

Wake said that it's tough to look back but understands how important it is to learn from it and correct it.

“Hindsight talk it 20-20. You know me, I’m not a guy who looks too far in the future. Any game you lose, whether it’s by 50 or 1 (point) at the end of the game, it’s going to eat at you. As frustrating as it is, this is the NFL. Every game is not going to be a blowout. Every game is not going to be a goose-egg on defense. We are going to have games where it comes down to the last drive, whether it is the offense driving to score or the defense going to get a stop. That’s just the way the league is set up. Those are the type of games we have to win, past and the future. That’s just the way it is.”

The season is on the line on Monday night and the Dolphins will need to do everything they can to walk away with a win. If they do, their season is still alive. If not, it's going to get ugly quick in Florida and for all Dolphins fans across the world.

This story was written by Matthew Cannata. You can follow him on Twitter: @PhinManiacs

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