The Dolphins finally kick off the season at Hard Rock Stadium after 2 road games to start the season. 2 impressive ones, one in LA against the Chargers, a 36-34 shootout victory, and then a more methodical 24-17 against our division rival New England Patriots. Even after the 2 victories, I still feel like we haven’t seen the defense thrive like I expected it to. We were gashed for over 200 yards on the ground in LA against the Chargers as well as giving up 34 points. In Foxborough, we surrendered half the points, but the defense has not looked dominant in any way, shape or form. They have made plays to seal games, and I suppose that’s the important thing, and at 2-0, I’m not going to complain too much, but I’d love to see this defense become what I hoped it could be.
If I told you before the season that LT Terron Armstead was going to miss the first 2 games, and that the Dolphins offensive line would have only allowed 1 sack in those 2 games, would you believe me? This may be the biggest surprise so far. The offensive line has done their job, with the exception of the bad snap issues that have plagued center Connor Williams. The shame of it is Williams is an excellent blocker, but it’s only a matter of time where a bad snap hurts us. Our run game has been excellent, when we actually run the ball like we did against the Patriots. Mostert bulked up some 15 lbs and he looks great this season. Mostert has 158 yards on 28 carries for a very nice 5.6 YPC, and he already has 3 rushing TD’s. RB Salvon Ahmed has been serving as 2nd string, but he’s now dealing with a groin injury, so De’Von Achane will now be the 2nd string RB as he has recovered from his shoulder injury. I’m excited to Achane, although props to Ahmed for simply making it impossible to not see that he makes plays and although he’s not physically imposing like Chris Brooks or super fast like Mostert or Achane, he gets the job done and looks slippery and elusive so far.
At WR, it’s been a lot Tyreek, especially in game 1, but as I told you, and you probably already knew it anyway, Belichick was going to do everything he could muster to keep Tyreek Hill from beating them. Tyreek still caught a TD but was much quieter compared to his 215 yard explosion against the Chargers. WR Jaylen Waddle looks like he will miss this game as he’s still in concussion protocol. Not sure which WR will replace Waddle if he can’t go, but Erik Ezukanma has been primarily used as a rusher in a somewhat similar role to WR Deebo Samuel. He’s not the type of guy that will be a downfield threat, and either is River Cracraft or Braxton Berrios. Jaylen Waddle makes it easier for the aforementioned Berrios and Cracraft to work underneath the coverage because Waddle requires attention and protection deep, so it will be interesting to see how we handle this if Waddle can’t go Sunday.
How about a huge high five and major props to LB Andrew Van Ginkel. This guy never quit, never gave up, and has carved himself a role on this defense. It’s clear Vic Fangio regards AVG very highly as he took tons of snaps in game 1 playing as the nickel LB and an inside LB, garnering a shocking 75% of snaps on defense. Jaelan Phillips did get in a limited practice yesterday, so he’s trending in the right direction as he deals with a back injury sustained in practice last Friday. More props coming, I feel like Raekwon Davis has been much more active and visible in the first 2 games. I do have concerns, although after 2 games, there’s not necessarily enough data to feel like this is a trend, but the 2 safeties, Jevon Holland and DeShon Elliott have the most tackles, 25 and 17 respectively, followed by 2 more DB’s, Xavien Howard and Kader Kohou. That’s not necessarily sustainable. Ok, let me get this out, I’m tired of seeing Eli Apple allowing receptions to anyone and everyone. If we’re going to draft a guy in the 2nd RD (CB Cam Smith), get the guy ready to play, because it’s so frustrating to watch. We jettisoned a former 2020 1st RD pick, Noah Igbinoghene and traded him for a former 2021 2nd RD pick (CB Kelvin Joseph), so please can we get either or both of those guys in there???
The 0-2 Denver Broncos make a late September visit to Hard Rock, and the heat could definitely be a factor in our favor. Sunday’s temperature should be about 85-88 degrees with a chance of thunderstorms (imagine that, a thunderstorm in FLA). While the Broncos are 0-2, they have lost both games by a total of 3 points, losing 17-16 to the Raiders and 35-33 against the Commanders, both at home. QB Russell Wilson has bounced back nicely from last year’s dreadful season. He has 5 TD’s to 1 INT, and has completed 68% of his passes in Sean Payton’s offense. RB Javonte Williams is back and Samaje Perrine is his backup. TE Greg Dulcich who was expected to have somewhat of a breakout season has been injured so TE Adam Trautman has taken his place while he’s out, but is not on the injury report this week, so he’ll be back. WR’s Courtland Sutton and Jerry Jeudy are a talented WR duo. The Broncos defense struggled last week surrendering 35 points to the Washington Commanders. We all know Javonte Williams is hard running back, so we have to contain him, and Russell Wilson has been thriving early on, we have to take him down and make him uncomfortable. Rookie WR Marvin Mims has flashed and last year’s UDFA receiver Brandon Johnson has also made a splash.
At home, in September, this is a game the Dolphins should win. If the heat is a factor and the thunderstorms don’t quench the heat, we need to win this game, our first home game of the season. On the flip side, the Broncos come in a desperate team after losing 2 very close games to start the season. Waddle being out isn’t a good thing. Once again, that will be something to watch as to who replaces Waddle, and if he makes an impact. We may opt to run the ball more, and I’ve yet to mention FB Alec Ingold, who has been a feisty player and brings some nasty, some meanness to our offense, which definitely is welcomed. As I mentioned, De’Von Achane who is healthy may get more touches and I would like to see us continue to give Raheem Mostert a bunch of carries, at least 15-20. Achane can get touches both in the run game and passing game, and I hope he gets a few targets so he can find some room to run. He can be a HR threat with the ball in his hands anywhere on the field. Let’s hope this is Armstead’s debut, although Kendall Lamm has earned some trust for sure. Let’s also hope we do rest Waddle and have him healthy next week, it’s a long season. I also hope Jaelan Phillips is healthy enough to make a splash this week as well.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Wish Tua had a stronger arm and could throw those no look passes further
I can download that pressure as well. Wilson proving my point all day
12th man!
WHEN I SAY STAND UP AND MAKE SOME NOISE THAT IS WHY!!
I’m going to Vinmo Herd some money to take her foot and put some extreme pressure on yawl’s sack at the Fest!
😊
😂
This game whizzing by
Yes!!! I told that to my wife about 10 minutes ago when we were 3 minutes into the 2nd quarter
I said the same to my g/f last night when it was late in the final quarter 🙃 😅 😉
This D frustrates me
Additionally, they should just get rid of kickoffs
LOL @ Wyo
It a fan of this
Not
Awful call. Just let them right back in the game
Fucking idiotic decision
Gene Steratore trying to fuck the Dolphins as an analyst now
Ugh!
WTF
I like being aggressive and surprising people, but
WTF
It’s too bad we’re incapable of running a QB sneak
A little too risky there
“I’m smarter than everyone syndrome
Mystic Mac looking very sheepish
Considering how dominate our offense has been, Denver has to feel pretty good about where they are at.
Need some PRESSURE on Wilson now
Maybe even a sack🤷♂️😎
Pressure
Vaaaaaaaaaan Ginkel!!
Wilkins have a good game!
Pressure limited that play to no gain
D bails out Coach
More pressure
Then pressured out of bounds
Pressure on two of those plays stop the Broncos from getting points
BOOOOO HOWARD SHOULD HAVE SACKED HIM
Pressured to punt
Net loss of 20 yards.
Meh
Hey!!! Let’s not misuse the term pressure. The discussion is regarding QB pressures only. Stay with the convo please. 😒
Taste great. Less filling
Let’s make this a 3 score game going into half
Wow Tyreke
Damn he was down
Wow!!!Tyreek!
Knee’s down
Just realized Tua is perfect today
That last pass didn’t get to Mostert fast enough.
I mean, it was a first down, and stopped the clock, but it was week armed and kind of 3/4 armed….
This offensive showing is unreal
16/16 for 206 yards
But no passes 70 yards in the air. He’s shit
It’s all spamming to Hill….lol
WITHOUT
WADDLE
Colts up 10-7 over the Ravens at the half…
That’s one way to slow down the pass rush
Woohoo!!
What a run
Seriously
Mostert is EXPLOSIVE!!!!
The Fins are explosive. Ask Son
This may have been the most dominate offensive half of football I’ve ever seen.
dominant
Sanders seems to hit from there! 😉
Is mostert the nfl leader in TDs now?
Damn, it feels good to see such an offense again.
I don’t give a shit who we are playing, or how many injuries they have- our offense is firing on ALL cylinders right now.
We have a juggernaut offense.🙂
What do we call that?
Lightening & Lightening????
Both don’t go down easy either!
What I see on a lot of these big runs is WR’s blocking the shit out of DB’s. BULLYING THEM
Exactly Rock- I just said that to my Son.
The without Waddle comment.
That was caused by Pressure😎
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
THE GINK!
We gonna score 35 in this half!
Just wow
Omg, the conga line has me weak
What a show!
This really is incredible. You have to be happy for Mostert and Dolphins fans who get to enjoy this unbelievable offense
Holy shit
Can we really score 70???????
This is simply wild.
Give Denver a free time out!
QB pressure that results in a Broncos first down
Lol
AVG seas tackled on that pass
Sean Payton has resting smug face
I need Denver to hold us to a FG in 2nd half for my prediction to come good 😆 🤣
VGK is everywhere
Phelon – Russell Wilson has been putting on a clinic debunking how valuable a QB pressure is.
Yeah he is only trailing by 22 points I don’t think you mean what you think you mean 😉
Yes he has
Pressure made that incomplete
Pressure forced that incompletion
🍺🍺
Done. At the fest
What a dumb okay call
New Age says:
September 24, 2023 at 2:24 pm (Edit)
Damn, it feels good to see such an offense again
-*******
It came back with a fury
Yep, unbelievable.
If we’re keeping score on QB pressures having a positive impact it’s probably Wilson 7 – Dolphins D 2. That’s really it in a nutshell. The pressure is considered as positive Stat even if the net result if the play is negative for the defense. If you can’t comprehend this, we no longer need to discuss it. The sack ends the play and is always a positive
No one disputes this. That doesn’t mean the pressure wasn’t important
We need to okay better defense
But other than that
How much Herd?
(It should be going down with the extended conversation)
I might do it for free. 😂
Sold!
The Dolphins are so good
This blog has turned into an argument about the value of pressures
It’s like 1984 again
16/16
206
2 TDs
158.3
Tua should retire
Lol
Every commentator who suggested that should seriously consider retirement instead
Conga Line Dolphins
lol
Has a Bronco defender even touched Tua today?
If some one invented a Time Machine
And you could go back a couple of years to confront the people that wanted to Trade Tua for Watson, what would you say
LOL, we’ve only had two 3rd down plays today…wow
Indy up 13-7 on the Ravens…
I love when I don’t have that “are we going to lose” feeling. This is awesome.
Piggy,
That I am embarrassed I actually was considering it.
Lol
It’s crazy how this game can do a 180
Tua Thirtytua of Thirtytua for four touch downs.
All right, let’s keep it going in the 2nd half; step on their throats and NO MORE injuries!
OK
The knock by some pundits and drafts “experts” was Achane is too small. But when you watched film he was actually a tough runner, who ran inside and out with physicality. He’s showing that today, and really making the potential for a Taylor trade completely unnecessary now.
He’s breaking a ton of tackles today
He looks great
He really has been physical and seems to be able to take the hits.
They appear to be what the record says they are.
Turnover time
Both our backs are averaging more than 7 yards per carry. How’s our Oline doing?
Yes! The oline deserves some love
I hate this
They are going to to try to more tend they aren’t down multiple scores and stick with the run
Just pass it guys – you can’t win any other way
Let us get out sacks
I would to not see our D get gashed in the second half
If they keep running the ball, the game is already over
Great tackle