This is what the season has come down to, Week 15, Brian Flores’s Dolphins at 8-5 fighting for a playoff spot against Bill Belichick’s Patriots. Earlier this year, the Patriots embarrassed the Dolphins 21-11 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough. Cam Newton and the RPO time and time again fooled the Dolphins defenders to the tune of 15 carries for 75 yards and 2 TD’s by the NE QB. Dolphins QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was abysmal that day completing 23 passes of 30 attempts, except 3 of those completions were to NE defenders. We just looked unprepared and overmatched by Bill Belichick’s gameplan and Cam Newton’s execution of it. We guessed wrong so many times on that RPO and it was one of the more frustrating things to watch. Brian Flores will have to design a better gameplan this time.
So many things have changed since then. Ryan Fitzpatrick is no longer our starting QB, it’s now rookie Tua Tagovailoa. Neither Jordan Howard (Released) or Myles Gaskin (COVID-19 list) are playing this Sunday. RB DeAndre Washington will get the start and returning to the backfield is Matt Breida. Salvon Ahmed is a longshot to play as well. WR DeVante Parker is limited with a hamstring injury but will likely play, but Preston Williams who played Week 1 is still out. TE Mike Gesicki is also likely out with a dislocated shoulder. Patriots WR Julian Edelman is on IR/R which means he’s eligible to play should the Patriots decide to activate him but this is his first week of practice and he’s been out since October 31st when he elected to have surgery on his knee. He is unlikely to play.
Cam Newton is tenuously holding on to the starting job in NE as he has struggled in his last 3 games throwing for only 272 yards with 1 TD against 3 INT’s and that includes the 45-0 walloping of the LA Chargers. He did rush for 2 TD’s against the woeful Chargers. If I know Brian Flores, Cam Newton won’t be running all over us Sunday. We’ll be on him like white on rice. The Patriots are on the outside looking in as far as the playoffs concerned, even if they win out 9-7 is not going to be good enough to get in in the fiercely competitive AFC. There are 4 division winners and 3 wild card berths. The Chiefs are the AFC West Champs at 12-1. The Colts and Titans are tied at 9-4 in the AFC South and the Steelers (11-2) are holding a 2 game edge on the Browns (9-4) who are now surging and looking to grab the AFC North division crown. Our Dolphins currently have the #7 seed at 8-5. 10 wins is the only chance the Dolphins will be in the playoffs, so in essence, our last 3 games are essentially playoff games. First one is at home against a very familiar opponent.
There are always ebbs and flows in the long 16 game season, and despite the loss last week, I think our team is performing very well. The injuries are adding up, and I’d really love to have Kyle Van Noy back this week along with good Ole Bobby McCain. I’d love to have thumper Elandon Roberts back at LB too, he was missed last week. I wouldn’t mind having Ereck Flowers back either but only if he’s ready, I think Mt. Kindley has done well in his stead. It’s possible that Isaiah Ford could suit up for us this week, depending on how Jakeem Grant is doing with his hamstring injury. Lynn Bowden kind of exploded last week getting lots of action. Bowden was targeted 9 times and caught 7 passes for 82 yards. He also rushed once and the previous week against Cincy, Bowden caught 4 for 41 yards. Safe to say he’s part of the offense now.
As the pictures above portray, this game is the Mentor against his former Student. I don’t have to explain to all of you that Bill Belichick has always been a great coach and a master of making adjustments before the game, during the game and after the game. People will say look at him w/o Brady but Belichick created Brady. He tailored the offense to work with Tom Brady’s strengths and mask his weaknesses. In my opinion, only people who don’t really understand the game look at Tom Brady with his 30 TD’s and 11 INT’s and think that Brady was the reason for the Patriots success. The Buccaneers are just loaded with talent, there is no comparing the Bucs roster with the Patriots roster. RB Ronald Jones has come of age having his best season. WR’s Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Antonio Brown along with TE’s Rob Gronkowski, O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate. The Patriots, besides having an inept passer at QB (Newton), the Patriots WR’s are Jakobi Myers, N’Keal Harry, Damiere Byrd along with RB’s Damien Harris and James White. The Bucs also have loads more talent on defense with LB’s Lavonte David and Devin White, DE’s Shaq Barrett and JPP and DT Ndamukong Suh. Folks, it’s not even close. I’m loathe to agree with Belichick himself when he said they sold out to win previous years and have left the cupboard somewhat bare this season. I’d say he speaks true.
My point in the last paragraph is we are basically trying to knock off Bill Belichick’s team, and although they might be outmanned, they have the football mind to keep them in this one. We have a disciple of that football mind, and if there was ever a time for the student to teach the teacher something, this is it. We need a strong gameplan from Brian Flores. We can’t allow Cam Newton and the RPO or whatever they employ to beat us. We have to be the better team Sunday. The NFL season is a game of attrition, no one knows who will be available at the end of the season and if we make it far enough that we’re in the playoffs, maybe we get Preston Williams back, Gaskin with fresh legs, maybe we get TE Mike Gesicki back as well. We MUST win this game, and then we move on to the next playoff game against the Las Vegas Raiders in their new house. Win this one, I like our chances against Da Raiders.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
“WR Julian Edelman, will not be activated for tomorrow’s game”
Agreed!!!!
Toba
I don’t think they will pull it off!
Nope apparently not 🥲
Was Allen was your University QB ?
The Bills clinch the AFC East with a huge win.
AM I THE ONLY person on this board who is thrilled to see NOTRE DAME get CRUSHED by Clemson in tonight’s ACC title game?? By age 13 I was so disgusted at what I witnessed in the Catholic Church that I told my mom I’d NEVER set foot inside one of their churches or schools the rest of my life. And I’ve lived up to that promise.
——————————–
Irish head coach Kelly said earlier today his school might not participate in football’s Final Four unless families of the ND team were allowed to attend the game. He apparently DID NOT express similar feelings for families of whichever team the Irish might face in that game. Well before tonight’s game was completed, the State of California reiterated that no members of the public, including families, would be allowed to attend the game in the Rose Bowl. Well, Coach Kelly was spared the decision to go or NOT go to the playoffs by a vastly superior Clemson team that, THIS TIME, played Notre Dame with Trevor Lawrence as their quarterback. (He missed their previous game against the Irish because of the Covid virus.)
Some of you may remember Notre Dame’s only prior appearance in the Football Final Four, otherwise known as the College Football Playoff. They were down 35-0 to Alabama at halftime and lost by a huge margin as I vaguely recall.. NO ONE’s going to miss them this year, that’s for sure.
IF ALABAMA beats Florida, as is widely expected, I believe “Bama, Clemson, Ohio State and Texas A&M will advance to the two semi-finals. AND NO ONE will turn down the invite because their families won’t be permitted to attend!
I STRONGLY BELIEVE all states should implement policies which will control the spread of the Covid-19 as much as possible. Obviously, Notre Dame doesn’t agree. After all, it was this same spreading virus that gave the Irish perhaps an undeserved victory in their previous encounter with Clemson, which lost several players to the Covid during this season.
Yes Toba
Josh Allen was a Wyoming Cowboy!
WYOMING: I WAS TOTALLY IMPRESSED with Josh Allen’s performance. I think Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Buffalo are the three strongest teams right now in the AFC. But injuries, bad luck, and other factors could change these rankings by the end of the regular rankings.
And, of course, one thing’s still true about the Bills. The “O” in BUFFALO stands for Super Bowl wins!
Change that paragraph to “the end of the regular season!” Time for Great Grandpa to hit the sack!
Are you still a closet fan of his ?
He looks a lot better this year than last damn it 🤬
Unfortunately, the Bills seem to be peaking at the right time for them.
I’m a horrible person , was kinda happy when they said Diggs was carted off…
Diggs was carted off? That would be a huge loss for them if it’s long term.
They brought him back to sidelines on the cart at games end .. he got off cart , had one shoe off and hopped to the bench and sat to celebrate the moment … not sure if/how serious
Hopefully it’s at least two more games worth of injury, lol.
🤞🤡
BBM do you know David Morgan ?
Najee Harris is killing it in the sec championship
Yeah, his stock is rising, unfortunately.
That was bound to happen
Why unfortunately, we’ve got lots of draft capital if we want him?
Toba, You talking about Sheriff David Morgan? If so, Don’t know him personally but have met him a couple times. That was mainly back when he was also in charge of the county jail. Now it falls under the city somewhere somehow and it sucks. He’s retiring now and we elected a new Sheriff.
Do you know him?
I heard Diggs’ injury isn’t serious.
Yeah, I heard it was just a labia sprain.
Lol
LOL
LOL
I have to agree with D, this has got to be the best all round Alabama team to ever step on the field.
Yes him .. we met him and his wife on a cruise the year he was running to get in … was going to have ya say hi but now , tell him Doug and Darlene from Winnipeg say happy retirement …
If he’s still confused she was the red head LOL
Very good singer, but takes his karaoke way to. Seriously 😊
Cool! He was a good sheriff. Don’t know when or if I will ever see him again. He has already cleared out. The new sheriff we elected was Sheriff Morgan’s 2nd in charge who has already taken the reins.
Yeah he seemed like an all right guy .. is he going back to being a PI ??
If ya happen to run into him could be a WTF moment , but rereading not likely .. I figured geographically and in yer line of work probably at least crossed paths with him.
Booo
The thing about Najee Harris that could have him going 1st round is he’s an excellent receiver.
Hey our 7 pick was free 🤷♂️
Harris is the kind of RB that can take your offense to another level. My dream is we land both him and Waddle and now we have the Alabama trio. 🙂
Triplets 😊😊😊
I like trio better, triplets sounds like we have babies playing. LOL
Trio likely brings up bad memories for OD from Parcells, Ireland and Sporano LOL
Talking heads especially Irvin are always trying to find some teams new. Erosion if Cowboys “triplets”
Version of ^
Very different trio but point taken. LOL
My first draft
Be gentle
TEAM PICKS
8: R1 P8 LB Micah Parsons – Penn St.
21: R1 P21 WR Ja’Marr Chase – LSU
40: R2 P8 RB Najee Harris – Alabama
53: R2 P21 WR Tyler Wallace – Oklahoma St.
84: R3 P20 C Trey Hill – Georgia
123: R4 P21 RB Stevie Scott III – Indiana
196: R6 P17 DL Kyree Campbell – Florida
253: R7 P31 TE Kenny Yeboah – Mississippi
What no QB ??!! Epic fail 🤡
#7 right now.
Would love to land Micah Parsons but he might go top 5.
Stevie Scott is an interesting prospect to keep an eye on
Not sure if he’s coming out this year
But if he does, he can be a starting RB in the nfl
He’s actually my good friends little cousin (younger little)
Had no idea he was so good when first mentioned to me
But he’s for real
One of the reasons Indiana had a surprise season
Tim, I think I would rather have Devonte Smith over Waddle and Najee. Couldn’t go wrong with either though.
I just think Najee from the RB position changes everything. They’re all good prospects.
This Gator QB is a tough SOB who makes plays.
Yeah, I think he moves into first round and that’s why I think 5 Qb’s go in the first round. Heck, Mac Jones could make it 6.
We have a game again!
Yep!
Piggy, good call on Stevie Scott. I haven’t mentioned him but once a while back cause I am not sure what is up with his production. It has dropped off since his freshman year. Being an IU fan, I thought he was going to be a monster but has been just average this year and this is the best team IU has fielded in decades.
He is a big punishing runner and his size is the same as Najee Harris at 6’2 230ish. That would be a great spot to select him.
If we can’t get Harris, and Scott comes out, Scott might be a nice addition
I love this, first time in Dolphin history three rookie OL started at same time. Good insight to what Flores is building.
https://www.miamidolphins.com/news/bonded-by-hard-work-rookie-offensive-linemen-are-loving-life-in-the-nfl
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thephinsider.com/platform/amp/2020/12/19/22189488/the-miami-dolphins-begin-their-playoff-run-on-sunday-vs-the-new-england-patriots
Tim says – “I like trio better, triplets sounds like we have babies playing. LOL”
Alabama Ménage à Trois?
Insert my favorite blogger here! 😉
I’m not a Texas A&M homer!
But I think they would destroy both ND and OSU
Probably
But they already lost to Alabama oncr
IT’S GAME DAY BITCHES!!
GO DOLPHINS!!!
We shit!! Wake up to see the Broncos lost in a big way and the Bills are AFCE champions. Threw up, brushed my teeth and am ready for the Dolphins to pound on the Pats.
I don’t mind so much that the Bills are AFC East Champs. They earned it, and they’re ahead of us as far as their rebuild. Year 1 of the rebuild for us and we’re pretty close behind them. Next year with another strong draft and maybe 1 or 2 more guys in FA and we should be closer.
Haha…still not taking into account the “plan” to rebuild. You have to have the idea first, to start over. Then, execute the plan. Everything, in the rebuild plan is part of plan. One isn’t accomplished without the other.
I wonder if changing the culture was part of plan, too. Probably started with the rebuild? Or in the demolition ignored all those that were salvageable and bought into the plan and what it take?
I’m pretty pleased with how far we’ve come and the plan to get here so far.
Today is a must win. Lose and go home.
https://twitter.com/MiamiDolphins/status/1340677872466464771?s=20
LOL, that’s interesting
This is obviously the entrance of a man ready to score 2 TDs today
Hulk getting nervous about game today. Hulk no be nervous about game in long time. Must be meaningful game. Hulk no remember this feeling
UF gave them a game at least. Proud of my guys. Had we had the defense we have had in the past we woulda rocked them. Not having a shutdown defense has plagued us all year. That game featured multiple players I like for us starting with Kyle Pitts. Najee Harris, Kdarius Toney, Waddle, lots of talent was on that field.
Any hides where Toney is expected to be drafted
I thought he wa s impressive yesterday
Agreed, and too many mistakes.
Past Gator Ds would have made a difference though.
All good players.
Krishna – I’ll never let go of this one. You demolish something, then you rebuild it. We demolished last year, this year we started the rebuild. It’s just semantics, but it’s the only way I can see it. It doesn’t matter when you thought of it.
Last years draft class (‘19) doesn’t matter to you then
It matters, but we have to draft every year.
I’m just laughing Mike E.
To me it’s ALL part of plan since the day Ross fired Gase and charged Grier with finding a football coach to make this a winning team again. The demolition and rebuild started there.
Your semantics will always make me laugh. All good.
Supposedly Grant is OUT. Gesicki and Parker questionable but both likely to give it a shot. How long they last, nobody knows
Gesicki is out
Basically everyone is out
Everyone on espn just picks the Patriots
So that’s good news
It’s amazing be 4 of 5 of them juat picked the chiefs over the Saints too
Can Lynn Bowden Jr be or “Little Edelfucker” ?????
Or our whatever!
LOL, it was probably all bullshyte. They were probably all going to be out the whole time.
Our D really has to step up today. We have to play the whole game with 8 guys on offense.
They will try another Bowden to Tua pass today
prediction noted
Do we get suck ass Lofton calling our game today?
No he is calling Ravens game
Alright, we get a win right off the bat, lol.
We will have Breida and Ahmed back today
Similar to Kenpo which overwhelms any opponent with an unending flow of force, today we will overwhelm the Pets with an unending flow of small RBs and slow TEs.
Sensei is wise
Go Phins!!!!!
New England is a tough team to figure out because they are so inconsistent.
Beat Ravens, lost to Texans, wipe out Chargers, drilled by Rams.
I think we are likely to get a better game from than one of their lousy games. Division games are always tough regardless of records. I would love to see a route, but I think a 10 point margin is more likely.
Howie’s List
💰27-17🐬
🇨🇦35-13🐬
🗿24-20🐬
🐷24-6🐬
🦍31-17🐬
🦈 42-0 🐬
🦏 20 – 10 🐬
LOL Howard has more Ints than 9 NFL teams. (not combined)
ND still gets into the playoffs after that egg they laid
Behind them are several 2 loss teams.
TxAM 6 of 8 wins were against combined record of 14-42
TxAM beat Fla (8-2 befor conf game), Auburn (6-4), lost to Alabama by 28 pts. and did not play in conference title game.
ND gets in because of the lack of valid choices in the rest of the top 10.
ND is the only team to beat one of the other top four teams (for whatever reason), and their only loss (as ugly as it was) was also to one of those top four teams.
Irish get in because its hard to make an winning argument for any of the other teams.
For sure it is not a typical season
I will go one further. Tua will have a reception today.
😉
I will see your reception and a raise it to a TD reception
Who leads Dolphins in rushing yards today? Rushing TDs?
I say Ahmed with 60 yards and Tua tied with 1 TD with Breida
Let’s go Dolphins!
they guys responsible for 1/2 our offense this year are out today. Damn!
You know what? More than anything, I want this team to finally rise up when we’re in contention for a playoff spot and take it. All those years of not showing up and getting embarrassed and then waiting around for 100 different things to happen. Time to be a winner, and take care of your own shit!
You know Belichick is pulling out all the stops. I expect some trickery from them today. We will have to be on our toes
At least we are full strength on D
I want the D to hit Cam Newton into retirement
^^^^^ Or in a bodycast, whichever comes first! lol
WELCOME BACK to Miami’s rich history of being a playoff contender, Hulk. Get ready to be “nervous” for the next several years!!
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A BIT OF HISTORY: Miami leads the all-time series 56-54 over the Pats. Miami is 38-19 in games played in Miami. Altho’ the Cheats won last year in Miami 43-0, the Dolphins won 6 of the previous 9 games against them in Miami. IF you believe in history AND if you believe in the power of the THROW-BACK UNIFORMS, Miami has a chance today!!
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Some keys to victory: Miami can NOT turn the ball over. Based on HISTORY, Fig Newton is more apt to fumble or throw a pick than is TUA. AND, as Rock just said, MIAMI has the NFL’s leading interceptor. SO MIAMI MUST WIN THE TURNOVER BATTLE.
ALSO: Miami must avoid penalties, especially the kind that take you out of scoring position. And we MUST convert 3rd and short yardage situations.
FINALLY, we must restore the roar! – – – Yes, I KNOW, it’s hard to hear a “crowd” of about 10,000 people. BUT IT CAN BE DONE!! OUR FANS HAVE TO BE A FACTOR WHEN IT MEANS THE MOST!!! My physical situation re: the Virus prevents me from attending–BUT NO EXCUSES!!–Let’s hear you, Dolfans!!
Here is another prediction / bet; Belicheat will go for it on 4th more than once today. Prick.
Attached boy! Stifle that shit!
Nice start D
👍👍
Patriots going backwards in that first drive
That’s a horrible spot
Not a fan of using the challenge so early – but yeah that was a garbage spot.
Thank god Flores is challenging that bullshit
I don’t think he got it but still worth the challenge
I think we’re gonna lose that challenge. Not close enough to challenge in my opinion
Tough to overturn it but 🤞
Make Cam throw to our DBs. Thats it. Nothing else
😊
Ravens with a safety
omg… is it the first game of the season again? lol
Van Ginkel sleeping on that RPO
Wow that is shitty starting position
#16 was in the area, but he threw it to the ground 10 yards in front if him and it might not have gone past the LOS
Colts TD
Colts are gonna shit all over the Texans today. We gotta get help somewhere else. I’m looking for Giants tonight to help us.
Again, this D gives up yards in middle of field but tightens up when they get deeper into our territory.
2 yard line for Offense is better than NE points for sure.
I don’t think offficials are biased or anything
Don’t get me wrong
But how are an Nfls officials eyes that bad
(I’m talking about that 3rd down spot)
Seriously, why is that an acceptable margin an error to the nfl
That was way off
We’d computer chips in the ball
Need
TD Ravens 🙁
9-0
I’m loving these 5 yard runs on first down!
The Pirate Captain with a first down
Shaheed in beast mode
Shaheeeeeeeeeeen!!!
Those roll outs then dump to TE are money plays for our offense
Go get em shaheen!
😊
WTson fumble recovered colts
I love the way this offense is pounding it today
And Tua has been spot on
This is the Breida I was happy to acquire
I like this ball control 5 yard play after 5 yard play game.
Terrific run game today
Oh….hot as he threw it
Damn
X time
Got hit as he threw it
OROB IS RIGHT
Lol
Lol , yep horrible decision, and shit throw 😊
horrible end to a great drive
Flipped field position 🤷♂️
Not a good decision there…
Bad way to get his first incompletion
Colts 14-0
Tangible there was a hold on that michele run