What a job these 4 guys have this weekend. Our X-Men, led by Xavien Howard, along with Byron Jones, Eric Rowe and Bobby McCain. This game goes way beyond just these 4 players but they will have their hands full this week with Patrick Mahomes throwing to WR Tyreek Hill, TE Travis Kelce, and to a lesser extent, WR’s Mecole Hardman and Sammy Watkins, as well as RB’s Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Le’Veon Bell. It’s going to take a monumental effort to keep this offense in check. The Chiefs come in as the 2nd ranked scoring offense at 30.8 PPG and #6 in scoring defense allowing only 21.2 PPG. The Chiefs have a +116 point differential. The teams that gave the Chiefs the most trouble were the Chargers, Bills, Bucs and Broncos, and of course their lone loss in a shootout with the LV Raiders. I consider that game the anomaly, and I think if we have a course to victory, it’s closer to the way the other teams played them.
This Week 14 game is one of the most exciting times for Dolphins fans in recent history. Yes, in 2016 were 7-5 coming off a demoralizing loss to the Baltimore Ravens (38-6) and we defeated the Arizona Cardinals 28-25 led by Carson Palmer. This is different, way different. I didn’t feel anything like I do now, having a legitimate confidence in our team. We relied on a strong running game with Jay Ajayi and play action from Ryan Tannehill (sound’s like Tennessee eh?) Both our offense and defense were less than midpack. This 2020 team is different. We have a young exciting defense who happens to be #2 in the NFL in points allowed at 17.7 PPG. Our offense is exactly 16th but I have more confidence in this group because it’s a more well rounded offense. If anything, our run game has been a supplement to our passing game. This is Tua’s biggest game as a starter and I feel like he will rise to the occasion. What a game this is, the excitement is tenable. Too bad we couldn’t fill up Hard Rock for this one, I would love to see a raucous stadium pulling for our guys.
This KC offense which is #1 in the NFL in yardage has evolved as most teams do during a season. In the first 6 games they really featured RB CEH (Clyde Edwards-Helaire), but more recently, his role has really been reduced. CEH has an average of 37.4 yards rushing and only 11.4 yards receiving over his last 5 games. For some contrast, CEH averaged 84.1 yards rushing and 29.5 yards receiving in the first 6 games. The one player who has benefited most from this is WR Tyreek Hill. Hill has seen high double digit targets most of the last 5 games and his numbers are astronomical. Hill has 640 yards receiving in the last 5 games which is good for 128 yards per game and he has 8 TD’s. That’s just outrageous. If only Tyreek Hill was all we had to worry about. Travis Kelce also has surged during the last 5 games while CEH has been scaled back. Kelce is right behind Tyreek Hill with 613 yards receiving over the last 5 which is good for 122.6 yards per game. Now as we know, things evolve, and if we look to just shut down Hill and Kelce, another person will emerge, and with CEH, Sammy Watkins, Mecole Hardman and even Le’Veon Bell, there are many candidates.
On defense, the Chiefs don’t excel in any one area but they do have a couple of very good players to watch out for. On the DL, Chris Jones is still getting it done with 5.5 sacks and in their secondary, the Honey Badger SS Tyrann Mathieu lurks with 5 INT’s along with FS Daniel Sorensen who has 3 INT’s. Mathieu plays very smart and Tua will have to be careful of him. The starting corners are Bashaud Breeland and Charvarius Ward.
I don’t have an injury report yet for Sunday other than a lot of our guys were limited in practice. Key guys to keep an eye on are LG Ereck Flowers who went out with an ankle sprain. Also, LB Kyle Van Noy has that bad hip along with LB Elandon Roberts who came out with a chest injury last week. Jesse Davis will likely fill in at LG and Solomon Kindley will man the RG spot next to RT Robert Hunt. Sam Eguavoen, Calvin Munson and Kamu Grugier-Hill will fill in for Roberts and Van Noy if they are unable to go. Tua is a go for this one and has apparently ditched the thumb brace. Matt Breida is on COVID-19 but still might be available, and Salvon Ahmed is still dealing with a bad shoulder. I’m not sure where DeAndre Washington is at with his hamstring, he did practice on a limited basis which is a good sign. Myles Gaskin appears to be 100% but he will need help in the backfield other than just Patrick Laird who garnered only 5 touches.
I think this is such an interesting game and my perspective on it changes often. Sometimes I think like we’re playing with house money in this one, we’re not expected to win by any of the experts so if we lose like 10 of the other 11 teams that played them did there’s no shame in that. Part of me wants to think that enough of that loser mentality, we belong here at 8-4 and they play in our house and you know what, our defense is the kind of defense that can match up well against them because we have the talent in the secondary to defend their guys. Our X-Men back there might just give Patrick Mahomes a tough day and if we can find a way to turn him over a couple of times and turn those into scores we can upset the Chiefs. It’s not silly talk either, it’s possible. If I’m being honest, the one thing that worries me is our offense. Will we be able to run the ball effectively and will Tua be up to the task of giant slaying on Sunday. He did it against Arizona which to me is the closest equivalent. He led the team back for the win in that game and maybe has to do that against the Chiefs. All I know is, I haven’t looked forward to a Week 14 Miami Dolphins game with such excitement and happiness since, well, I have no idea really . . .
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Just don’t throw to Grant anymore
I’m not sure we can play Grant at WR anymore
Scat back
His hands are trash
Quit throwing to Grant
On that Parker drop as Bookman pointed out Grant was wide open and I’m pretty sure Tua didn’t want to throw to hold
Grant is really hurting us with these drops
Mahomes was past the LOS wasn’t he?
He can throw the ball as long as any part of his body is behind the line. It’s different than forward progress
I saw the replay and he wasn’t over anyway…was close
Wow I forgot Bell plays for the chiefs
It would have been nice if we got him
Bed either be hurt or have Covid by now
He’d
we can’t let them score here and beginning of 2nd half, dangerous spot here, but I am glad we are in this thing anyway. 2 missing key defenders, and having Grant…LOL
If we keep them at of the end zone, it’s not a bad way to head into the half
We need to draft a WR in the first or 2nd.
We might need a couple
I should buy a Grant jersey so they trade him
lmao
We may be able to get behind that one. Don’t ya have an old Ginn ? Just remove 2 letters
Grant usually responds to criticism
Maybe he can take this kickoff back
Looks like a he’s limping , Grant I mean. Parker hurt too oyvey
Nice catch Bess
I would trade Grant in the off season and try to resign Wilson then draft WR Devonta Smith.
There are no WRs left. No RBs…..
There is nothing for this offense
It’s not to late to sign snoutty
I know we get Preston and Hurns and Wilson back but we need some help outside.
Two drops by Grant, one resulting in INT. Parker drown resulting in FG instead of TD.
Parker drop
Hope for the 2nd half — X hasn’t had his weekly INT yet. Hope it comes at the right time.
No reason to get too down — we are playing the best team in the NFL. 14-10 at half ain’t all that bad.
Houston losing 23-7 close to 1/2 … but it’s the Beats so who knows
Da Bears
Well it was nice while it lasted but with Parker out and Grant as the number 1 WR I don’t see us being able to keep up with the Chiefs
2 DEF TDS.
I will just go start smashing furniture
I didn’t see us keeping with the Chiefs before opening kickoff. But down 4 at half is better than I was expecting too. We’re in the game.
100%. We still in this. 🐬🐬🐬🐬
With the personnel issues we are having on offense, this team is STILL hanging in there against the best team in the NFL. In my opinion, it is more important to get some of these guys back for the NE and LV games: of course, not ruing out the big upset here yet…LOL
I continue to be sooooo impressed with Flores and this team. It is really fun to be a Fins fan again!
It is enjoyable not feeling like we will lose before the kickoff
Including today’s 2nd half kickoff
JUST WAY TOO MANY INJURIES!! – – NOT EVEN the throwback jerseys can save us today. Loss of Kyle Van Note is also huge. When Bobbie McCain went out, Chiefs picked on his replacement and scored a touchdown. Bobby’s back, but that’s not nearly enough.
THAT SAID, if Miami meets these guys in the playoffs, and HAS their starting 2 wideouts back, along with Van Note and a couple of our missing running backs, we WILL have a shot at these guys. Tua’s been running for his life an is playing injured. God help him!!
WE are playing guys I’ve barely heard of at wide receiver. Hopefully, we’ll get some of our walking wounded back next week.
Not like the Chiefs are in a “league of their own” against us. We’re Legit.
No more injuries for the rest of the game would be nice
Yes, the next 2 games are key. I hope we can get healthier for those
Piss poor tackling last play
Speed kills
Over
not yet
Fins lose battle of attrition every year.
Grant now questionable not sure if that is good or bad
McCain out on both Hill scores.
Maybe now ,,
Yep, it’s ugly time
Dead in water
Chiefs can pin their ears back now
Now we get to see what this O has in it.
I would just go no huddle, and just wing it from here. Nothing to lose
Uh oh…they’re confusing our rookies and abusing our subs.
I’d pull Tua now before he gets seriously injured. We’ve GOT to have him for our final 3 games. NO TEAM in the NFL could beat the Chiefs minus so many key starting players!
I disagree, he needs to be in there to learn.
Soooo … what if Flores held out some guys, conceding this one, to get them healthy for games we need more.
Defense only ones playing. Offense (WR’s) and ST’s not showing up today.
olddolphan says:
December 13, 2020 at 2:54 pm
I’d pull Tua now
I AGREE!!!!!
There must be T time you can get
Should have dumped short to RB there
I don’t think you pull Tua. Fitz ain’t going to bring us back in this one. Let the kid learn.
That was a drop by Gesicki. Ball went through his hands before safety swiped at it.
but will go as a PD for the defender
Pulling Tua would be ridiculous
He needs snaps
He needs snaps in a tough game like this one
Exactly!!!. We have 2 big games coming up. Let him play! smh
These injuries are just absurd now
Tua learning hard lessons today, hopefully makes him better.
Tua has no actual NFL quality WRs.
Or NFL quality RBs.
Tua’s problem is reading defenses pre snap. It’s obvious.
I agree, he needs these snaps
Damn, it’s still 3rd qtr. Shit
Great coverage by Needham there on Hill
I can honestly say I’ve never seen a punter with hair like Chiefs’ punter. 🥸
Lol I’ve thought the same. Looks strange on a punter
Defense stops them.
That was interference
Stretch the field WR with HANDS definitely a glaring need… tons of guys can return punts (see Iggy if needed).
Still a shot here
That was PI.
It would be nice to have 1 or 1 offensive plays of 20+ yards
Get some chunk yards
No playmakers right now
No chance there
Chan Gailey is out matched. Time to go back to the rocking chair.
I am no fan of Gailey not his fault today. No RBs no WRs to work with
Unreal catch
Kelce > Gronk
Not even close
Weird anomaly in fantasy today. I am up 126 to 0 right now. All of Piggy’s players don’t hit the field until 4 pm
I looked at that a while ago and had to do a double take.
There’s X
Howard has mad ball skills
X gets a stat lol but still nice to see
Yikes x.man
That was under thrown
We need some “save face” points
That was a nice job by Hollins
Not talking about the X INT. Was saying Tua’s first pass in the series was under thrown.
It’s basically the worst game on Mahomes career and he’s still amazing
It’s a throw to the TE fest
What a catch!!!!!!
Wow great job By Gesiki
Great concentration!
Wow
It’s a great throw but I’m gonna give gesicki credit for that one
Onside kick?
Not yet
Quick 3 and out or another Turnover
The onside kick rule changes really blow
Yeah I called that. 🙂
——————————–
stangerx says:
December 13, 2020 at 2:30 pm
Hope for the 2nd half — X hasn’t had his weekly INT yet. Hope it comes at the right time.
Call it again , call it again
Can only do it when the football gods whisper in my ear…. lol
You cant credit Gesiki on that. The QB threw it remember….that’s all that matters.
Lol
Miami 31 -30 …. 🤣 wait .. for.. it
Big 3rd down here
Defense came to life after that TD. Rejuvinated
Wilkins!
Fuck!
O good lord
Might be a stinger
I hope that’s all it is. NEED HIM
That’s all we need
Wtf
I wish the velcro on Tua’s cheat sheet worked. It bothers me (a bit OCD on this small matter).
lmao
Same! Glad I wasnt alone
This game has been a total disaster….
Gesiki is done for the year….
Looked like a broken wrist way he was holding it
Ok, THAT was underthrown
Nice snag by Hollins
Why can’t Romo call all our games
He us VERY good. Smart man
Wilkins lol
Didn’t follow him
I keep thinking those yellow gloves are flags
Even a lot of gloves on the field that drive.
And some of the KC guys have yellow cleats. …. shouldn’t be allowed.
D-FENSE get us the ball
We fight!
I love this team. I have kept saying that this is not over
Great job on that stuff
I thought Davis was going to kill him