Week 1 was quite a surprise for me. I expected the Dolphins offense to look good, but it was really the defense that I expected to shine, and until the end of the game when they sealed the victory, the defense was a huge letdown. Chargers running backs Austin Ekeler and Joshua Kelley combined for 208 yards rushing on 32 carries for a ridiculous 6.5 YPC. Ekeler is indeed one of the best in the game but both he and Kelley feasted. Ekeler had a long run of 55 yards. I’m pretty sure all of us thought David Long was an upgrade at ILB, but on opening day, Long played only 17 snaps and gave us 1 tackle. In contrast, Andrew Van Ginkel played a surprising 63% of the snaps at LB, and produced a modest 5 combined tackles. For additional contrast, former Dolphins LB Elandon Roberts started for the Steelers and played 43% of the defensive snaps and had 8 tackles, and 2 tackles for a loss. This an early disappointment, and something that we’ll need to keep an eye on.
The offense though was better than I could have hoped for. It’s been well documented how the Chargers shut down Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins offense last year during that horrific west coast trip that started with a beatdown in San Francisco and ended with a stymied offensive output against the Chargers who took away the short passing lanes, and the Dolphins at that time had no answers. This past Sunday however, the Dolphins had all the answers and absolutely shredded the Chargers defense to the tune of 536 yards, 466 of those yards through the air, compared to 145 yards on a paltry 10 completions out of 28 pass attempts. Tyreek Hill was unstoppable, and provided nearly half of the receiving yards with 215 yards receiving and 2 TD’s. Jaylen Waddle had a nice day as well, 4 receptions for 78 yards, but that pales in comparison to the monster day Hill had. We were running the football well, but basically stopped running, although the results say we did the right thing because the LA defense could not contain the passing game.
One game is not enough information to really identify what a team is all about. We know Head Coach Bill Belichick well, and we all know here that he will simply not allow Tyreek Hill to beat his defense. That’s what he does, his M.O. is to take away the thing you do best, and make you beat them a different way. Raheem Mostert has been practicing, so he’s likely to start, and the run game should get a boost from rookie De’Von Achane who has also been practicing and will play this Sunday night. You never know what the gameplan will be, but if I could conjure a guess, it would be that we will be running more than we did against the Chargers, and also that De’Von Achane will get his share of touches. With extra attention on Tyreek Hill, others will benefit, like Achae, Waddle and perhaps even Durham Smythe, who will see his former TE mate against our defense for the first time, Mike Gesicki. As far as the defense, I also expect a better effort against the Patriots, who don’t have top tier talent at the skill positions that the Chargers have, namely Herbert, Ekeler, Allen and Williams. Instead, it will be QB Mac Jones, WR’s DeVante Parker and Kennrick Bourne, big back Rhamondre Stevenson and TE’s Hunter Henry and Mike Gesicki.
The Patriots hung in there opening day against a very good Philadelphia Eagles team. It was a close game, the Patriots came back from a 1st quarter 16 point deficit, but ended up losing 25-20. The Eagles defense contained Rhamondre Stevenson to just 25 yards on 12 carries, but Ezekiel Elliott had moderately more success, 29 yards on 7 carries. In general, the Patriots offense doesn’t scare opposing teams, but a Bill Belichick team is always a dangerous team, although the Dolphins have recently had Bill’s number, taking 4 of 6 games in the last 3 seasons, and more importantly, winning every game QB Tua Tagovailoa played in, 4-0. I’m sure the Patriots will try and disrupt the rhythm Tua has with his receivers, and if that’s the case, Tua may need to find secondary and tertiary targets, which is why I think there’s potential for Achane to have a fair amount of action Sunday night. Waddle, Berrios, Cracraft and Ezukanma should also see more action. This would be Achane’s first NFL action, so I should probably temper my enthusiasm for him, but if he’s healthy, this is what he’s here for.
It was frustrating seeing the defense gashed in the run game, and of course even more frustrating, for me at least, to see our vaunted pass rush neutralized nearly the entire game. At the end, we made the plays to seal the victory, but Wilkins, Davis, Sieler, Phillips and Chubb didn’t get to Herbert most of the game, and if not for absurdly gaudy offensive day, the Chargers 433 yards and 34 points would have been a really good offensive output. If this defense is going to be a top unit in the NFL, we’re going to have to better than last week’s effort. One other surprise on defense was S DeShon Elliott playing 100% of the defensive snaps. Clearly, S Brandon Jones is not where he needs to be yet, but Elliott rose to the occasion with 13 total tackles, 8 solo. CB Kader Kohou got the start and of course had the huuuuge sack on Justin Herbert that was nearly a safety. Kohou played 98% of the defensive snaps and has been a huge pickup for our team. Eli Apple played 74% of the defensive snaps, but it was clearly Kohou who is in the drivers seat. I’m curious to see if CB Cam Smith will get any defensive snaps, he played only special teams against the Chargers.
There are a few things I’d like to see this Sunday night against the Patriots. We know Terron Armstead is a scratch, he’ll be given at least one more week to heal up, which means T Kendall Lamm will play at least one more game. The offensive line was better than any of us could have hoped for, 45 pass attempts, ZERO sacks. That’s pretty much a shock if we’re being fair. I’d love to see that continue of course and I’d like to see more out of our running game, and that can include short passes to the RB’s either behind the line of scrimmage or beyond, but I want to see Mostert, Achane, Ahmed and even Ezuknama get some touches if the defense is doubling or even tripling Hill. These guys need to make the NE defense pay if they go all in on stopping Tyreek Hill. Mostly, I want to see the defense bounce back and look dominant, and not get pushed around in the run game and be ineffective getting to the QB. I want to see Tua remain upright making plays, and as mentioned, let’s the exciting rookie De’Von Achane get some touches and see what he can do!
GO DOLPHINS!!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Krishna says:
September 17, 2023 at 12:54 pm (Edit)
Do i have to stream NBC these days to get tonight’s game? OMFG.
Reply
Mike E. says:
September 17, 2023 at 1:04 pm (Edit)
It’s ESPN and ABC in my area
Sunday night football is on NBC. You watch it however you watch anything on NBC.
ESPN is Monday night football.
🤦🏼♀️
🤣🤣😂🤣🤣
IT’S GAME DAY BITCHES!!!
Go Dolphins!!
My friend at work has a collection of face palm pictures. He must have 1000 of them. Including two Popes every president for the last 40 years, etc.. he has a face palm for every occasion
I am not sure who I am supposed to be rooting for in all of these AFC games yet
I am going to route four Kansas City to lose. I don’t want Jacksonville to win so I will route for Kansas City to lose. LOL
Root
Watching Falcons vs Packers, Desmond Ritter has a nice live, accurate arm.
we want Browns Jets Jags Raiders to lose this week
LOL, next series of downs he throws what should have been a definite pick six!
Man, KC getting beat up even though it’s just a 3 point game. Now Bolton down
Bills go for it at the one and don’t get it. 😂
I like the thing on YouTube TV, watch 4 games at once.
Yeah, that is cool
Mahomes underthrew his man on that last interception…what a limp noodle arm…lol
Who would thought KC/JAX would be a defensive battle.
Rockphin says:
September 17, 2023 at 1:50 pm
I am not sure who I am supposed to be rooting for in all of these AFC game
—————
Injuries
OD called, he’s having trouble logging in to WordPress. I believe it, we’re all having issues
I decided to play Anthony Richardson over Goff. Looked like a good decision at first. Now not so much. Out with a concussion
Insane catch by Calvin Ridley
Rock, I would rather have Raiders beat Bills
I was just reading down the AFC standings above us in the standings after one. I agree I would rather the Bills lose the game to put our advantage in the division rather than the conference at this point in the season. We also play LV H2H so we can edge them that way when the time comes.
We are already up on LAC so we don’t want then to win the West
If we can sweep the east and the West we are in. LOL
🤦♂️
Lol
Those browns uniforms are awful
Are they the Browns or are they the Oranges?
Oh wait! that’s the bears! WTF!?
Raiders fork out that money for Josh Jacobs for 1 year.
Today, he has 9 carries for -2 yards so far vs Bills defense who got gashed for 172 yards by the Jets last week.
That was a nice catch by Ridley, but he drops more easy balls than nice catches he makes.
Chris Chambers
Titans/Chargers in OT. Maybe our win was not that impressive except for being on the road.
Bills improve to 1-1
Herbert had 3 opportunities to put the game away in the 4th quarter, then got the ball first in OT…
Jags are toast will fall to 1-1 and KC improves to 1-1.
Cooking is a lot of work. I don’t think I like it. 😂
Chargers start season 0-2
They were without Ekler though and had no running game
Baker Mayfield and the Bucs 2-0. Brady who? lol
I like Baker, I hope he does well there
^ You can’t say the dude don’t play hard every game
Plus, he has great commercials
I think Brock Purdy is an AI robot. How can he be this good last year and coming out on fire this year. Was 6 for 6 for 49 yards on 1st drive like clock work.
He’s in a really good offense, with one of if not the best running backs in the NFL. They also have a good coach and good system for his strengths. That being said, he has played at a very high level and just goes out there and executes, makes very accurate throws, and has the confidence Marino had.
True
Cooking is a lot of work. I don’t think I like it. 😂
————-
I enjoy it most of the time. I do 97% of cooking at my house. Mostly because I just love food.
LOL, camera shows Zack Wilson on Jets sideline taking deep breath’s during this Dallas drive. He’s nervous as F.
Parsons!
Never draft a 6’5 250 LB QB, they get concussions too easily 🙃
BBM – last year the team (players) all made it very clear they preferred Mike White over Wilson. It’s tougher to overcome thst, you need substantial intestinal fortitude to get past that
yep
Through 5 quarters of play, Dallas has yet to yield a point.
Granted, their opponents were the Giants and Jets lead Zack Wilson.
Shhhhhhh
I love cooking, but I never do because so much goes to waste most of the time. Often I will make a big pot of sauce, or stew or a lasagna and freeze a bunch of it, but otherwise, I wait for holidays and volunteer
I’m really good at dicing and chopping too, LOL
I’m a little worried about how much Wilson is getting hit by Dallas in this game. The worst thing would be if Wilson goes down. He needs to stay the Jest starter for as long as possible.
LMAO
Giants look like shit again
Jets front 7 is really stout vs the run.
Rockphin says:
September 17, 2023 at 5:06 pm
Shhhhhhh
———-
I fucked that up. LOL
😣
Adams injures himself
Sauce drops a pick 6
Kong – Wilson just threw a TD to Wilson. All is well for now.
He’s the gift that keeps on giving.
Happy for that roughing call but it was bullshit. Jets rusher hit Dak mid thigh at worst.
Jest got screwed on two calls that drive
LOVE IT 11 point game
Jest staying in the game
How bad are the Giants to be getting blown out by the Cardinals?
Bengals and Chargers currently ahead in the Caleb Williams sweepstakes 😃
Dallas really blew it on that goal to go situation. They should have scored a TD on 3 of those plays
Should have been another Cowboys Prescott just missed 2 open receivers 🤬
And the 2 previous runs, the back and TE chose the wrong gap to run at.
The TE would have walked in. The RB, it would have been close, but he certainly wouldn’t have lost 2 yards.
No accracy for sure…fucking awful…lol
^accuracy
I could have made that throw and I suck
Woohoo! That should be game.
PARSONS
He is a beast
Micah Parsons!
Ahhh, bummer, no TD. Cowboys can still end this game right here though.
eats more clock this way LOL
Down by contact but Cowboy ball
Wasted a takeaway
WOW maybe not
Still a 2 score game
Cowboys keeping Stej in the game
LOL, seeing Wilson get sacked really doesn’t get old.
Giants back in the game
Cards owner gave the team a ‘pep’ talk at halftime
Need Caleb Williams
I am loving this ass whooping on the Jets! Lol…
I want more. Not devastating enough for me
20 points…now? Lol
Should have been worse
Stick a fork in ’em
Let’s Go Washington!
Let’s Go Dallas!
Let’s Go MIAMI!!!!!!!!!!
Giants tied up
QB Skylar Thompson (emergency third QB)
CB Kelvin Joseph
WR Cedrick Wilson
LB Jaelan Phillips
DB Elijah Campbell
OT Terron Armstead
TE Julian Hill
Making it tougher than it should be
Are they our inactives?
crowd noise penalty
PARSONS!
HOOKER
LOL
Enjoy your radio tomorrow morning. LOL
Now that’s funny and SO true! Lmao…
I said it too early. Fingers crossed. Laundry pile on the floor in the laundry room. UNSORTED
I have my lucky shirt on. We won every time I have worn it.
Early? No
Cav : yes
We should trade them White for a 2nd right now.
White and Cedric Wilson for Quinnen Williams
PICK NUMBER 3
Jest players dropping like flies
Y’all are being too hard on Zack Wilson. He leads the team in rushing over all others combined. 🙂
Washington up two scores. Broncos looking like they might be 0-2 going into Miami next week.
Garrett Wilson in the blue tent
Actually, I hate it for him. He was a mancrush I wanted us to draft.
OH NO! Is that a Jet injury? 😮
MM Tua and the Boys need to take care of business tonight.
LET’S GO MIAMI!!
Giants win
Let’s go, Dolphins. Take care of business.
I have to be honest, I’m worried about a letdown game tonight. 🤕
I’m always worried. But optimistic. 😂
Because we are Phins fans. We expect the worst because we have seen it happen too many times
Me too. We’re conditioned that way, lol.
I’ve literally done everything I can do today to fill the time til our game. Cleaned my house. I COOKED! Had my fam here. Got rid of them, cleaned up everything. Still have almost an hour to go!
Go Dolphins!!!
✌🏻❤️🐬
Lmao
I told you Armstead was OUT! 😏
I can just picture our offense looking nothing like it did last week, and the defense looking better, but not good enough and losing a close one in the mid twenties, like 26-23. Why did I just put that out there?
Belicheck’s D will not be as forgiving as the Chargers D. That said, we are a better team so I expect us to win. MM needs to be on his game, be able to shift from the Pats halftime adjustments if we have success against them in the first half.
Hail mary successful for the Broncos
2 pt conversion unsuccessful. Broncos lose. Crazy end
It always makes me nervous when we’re picked to win. I like being the underdog. Maybe I think they play harder when they’re trying to prove them wrong? 🤷🏼♀️
LOL, my wife has been intensely cleaning the house for the last 45 minutes. I’ve written and deleted about 15 blog comments. We are so pumped up and ready for some Dolphins football!!
He played well there last week 👍👍
Bri – I think we’re a lot better than the Patriots. I just have the dread feeling of a letdown. I need to be waaaaay wrong on this one!
I get it Mike! I think we should win by ten tonight. SHOULD
I think the key to blowing this game open tonight is our efficacy in the red zone. If we score TDs, I think we can get up early and stay ahead. If they force us into FGs, this could be a dogfight.
Agreed. The Pats forced Philly into a lot of FGs last week
Or if we strike 3-4 times from outside the endzone bing-BAM
Saquon Barkley ankle injury again .. he did not appear happy.
I expect a lot more running tonight
Ditto , and I hope so
Tannehill was sacked 5 times today playing the chargers
So maybe our OL is better than we thought
Or Tua is….
Pat’s Oline missing two starters? Yeah so what. So is ours!
Where did all this optimism go?!?!? 🤣🤣
Howie’s List
Week 2
🐬@ 🐍snakes🦞lobsters🪱worms🦹♀️cheaters👎losers🤡clowns
🚷running forbidden,
🦬 33-17 🐬
🌴 20-13🐬
🗡 41-17 🐬
🐟🐠🦈 36-10 🐬
🇨🇦 35–17 🐬
🏈 31-16 🐬
🐷45 – 14 🐬
🪨 31-24 🐬
🦍 24-20 🐬
🗿34-17 🐬🔥
🇬🇧 30-20 🐬 (💳-🐎 go 0-2) 😂
OH! THE LAUNDRY!
5 Patriots, 3 Dolphins on the FNIA panel. Awesome, let’s FUCK THEM UP tonight!!!
Simms picked the Fins 🤯