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 
We play the Broncos later today. I hope it’s even half as good as this dream I’m having right now
😎
At least we get the ball back
Love me some Crossman
C’mon 70
50 point oop not quite 50
Buffalo cleaned the Commanders clock today 37-3
Now they have to kick to us again right? LOL
This is insane
I don’t love Achane in this late in a blowout
OMG
Shit! 72 the record?
Put the starters back in!!!!!!!!!
LETS DO IT !!!!
Ok, never mind. I love it
Boom
Is this a dream
Achane no longer a secret weapon
BOOM Baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
https://twitter.com/theflyingpig44/status/1706036997830181324?s=21
Surreal. Just surreal.
Holy shit I am caught up now LOLI
Did we cover the spread?
Did you take the over?
Ravens in OT with Indy.
Last undefeated in the AFC still in play.
Still 7+ minutes to go
I get the feeling our Defensive philosophy is to contain the opponent and outscored them but if we need to we dial up big plays at key times.
Fuckit! let’s get the record!!!!!!
There is still 8 minutes left
Kelvinoah igbinoghejoseph
HEY THE IGBO TRADE GUY
Achaaaaaaane
I mean we are playing guys off the practice squad, too.
I feel queazy
Jones getting reps
Ogbah has had a good game
Chargers up by 4 under two mins go for 4-1 at their own 25 , and don’t get it 🤯
That’s a sack
10 FN TD’S
Best pressure of the day!! LOL
Kick Mike E in the???????????????????
🐧’s been quiet today. Oh
https://x.com/kiickit25/status/1706032827111018774?s=20
Wow I said we’d score a lot but holy crap
Let’s go record time
Brook going to get his too
Wyo, stop talking about my sac, it’s unbecoming. 🤣
I don’t have an image to keep up!
This is true. Carry on!
FG range
Need a TD for the record!
Actually a FG does it
There goes Brooks!!!!!!!!!!!
Someone reminded me that Payton said he’d bench Tua for Bridgewater. Maybe that’s why Brees only ended with one ring.
🤣🤣🤣
728 yards in offense
Ogbahhhhh my man!
Go for the record. The guys deserve it
Yes!
We deserve it
Im gonna squeal if we break that record
I am going to do more than squeal
Mike white has a better passer rating than Tua right now. Just saying…. BWAAAHAAAHAAAAHAAAAHAAAAHAAAA
QB controversy?
Who on here ever thought we would score more points than we were humiliated by vs Jags?
I had hopes, prayers, and wishes!
Me too, but ……..
Class act
Boo, nice guy, boo
Not going for it. I’ll respect it. But I wanted them to go for it.
Oh well no record. Fucking bums 😉
Fuck gentlemanly!!!!!!!
Pick six ?
‘A game that almost defies description’
I disagree. We should’ve kicked it.
I respect it
But I also 🐖💨
It was absolutely the right call. Everyone knows we could have kicked and didn’t. BB would have. ‘Nuff said.
Indy in fg range. Dolphins could be the last undefeated standing in the AFC
I missed the game. Thought today was Saturday. Holy mess.
Lay off the Ganja! 😉
Ravens lose!!
Colts win
1-undefeated AC team!
Or AFC
Go Collllllllltssssss!!!!!!!
Unfucking believable!!!
That was awesome.
I think MM should have tried to run it and see what happens…
I feel like Randy Marsh in the Pandemic special
We averaged 10.2 yds a play.
Is that good? 😇
We can call it acceptable lol
My phone is blowing up, and every single person is saying we should have kicked the fg.
Our OL again gave up zero sacks.
Again
Not an exaggeration, I think the Broncos only touched Tua two or three times and maybe knocked him down once, if at all.
I think they shook his hand
They basically stopped short of rubbing his belly if we are being honest
Achane with over 200 yards rushing and FOUR TDs and Mostert ALSO with 4 TDs.
That’s not even 40%, what’s the big deal😝
I Liked our coach’s classy act NOT to kick the FG.
However, if it was Buffalo, New England, or the Jets, I would have kicked the FG.
ANY NEWS ON CRACRAFT??
Lol…hmmmm…me too
Definitely OD
I was already like we haven’t stopped scoring all day why stop now but whatever be nice
Seean Payton pushed that envelope for me too…but.MM was clsss act
That was a record from when you were a yonker!
should have kicked it
No disrespect, but that’s a NFL record!
Mahomes just said Tua hold my beer
Tua says fine watch I’ll do it twice and drop seveneeeeeeee 😁
I completely nailed my prediction for the game
that, without Waddle, our scoring total would be held down.
NOT!!!!!!!
The reason that record is so old is bc other very good teams have run out the clock
McDaniel did the right thing
If you break that record
You do it on a defensive TD – a fluke
It’s just the way the nfl is
You have to run out the clock with the lead not pour it on
Correct Piggs
You better be going to this place every Sunday man seems to have worked pretty good
Eat more Pork 🐽
Taylor Swift is in the stands watching Travis Kelce.
He has a false start and a ball go off his fingers.
There will be a song about that soon
The breakup song
rotfl
BF #129
Who gives a shit!
Tua only had the 2nd best QBR in this game.
155.8
Mike White was WAYYYY better at 158.3!!
Wow
TWO Quarterbacks from the same team with QB ratings above 155. Gotta be a record!!
My wife and I are in disagreement. I am good with the classy move, she really wanted the fg and the record.
In our first home game
Denver is not a bad defense
I bet we break the record this season
You need a defensive TD to do it “classy”
I respect your wife even more now
lol
Lol
“On to Buffalo.”
Let’s get a ready for Buffalo
This Fields guy is fast.
n/m
Seen on Twitter:
On a somber note,
I’m not sure if the playoff selection committee
will reward us if we keep playing cupcakes like this.
Ha ha 😁
It’s officially Buffalo week
https://dolphinstalk.com/2020/09/this-day-in-dolphins-history-bryan-cox-gives-the-one-finger-salute-to-buffalo/
Love this ❤️🐬🖕
This is just from my fading memory. But I believe Miami’s FIRST regular season win in 1966 was against Denver in the historic Orange Bowl. Someone please double check this.
October 16, 1966 Denver Broncos W 24–7
You’re a good one Wyo 👊
THANK YOU WYOMING!!
I think mcd didnt kick it because he didnt want to risk a Sanders miss
Lol, honestly when we reached 69 I was hollering at him, Don’t you deny us you fuckface he made it thankfully
Fuck records just win
Great answer
Man today was fun. I felt no pressure in this game. 😂
It’sso incredible to enjoy a game
Right???
Dolphins now lead the AFC in point differential
Just win
https://x.com/finsxtra/status/1706049931343958421?s=61&t=NWZ–WfgKu_dYbC-fKuB3A
Legend
Just stay healthy
I hope they don’t move us to #1 in the power rankings, seems everytime were #1 AFC seed or top of power rankings or in a playoff spot late in the seaso we lose the next week
Dolphins have 130 points, the next closest in the AFC is the Bills at 91
As a Libra us getting 35 in each half was very pleasing
Chicago is a hot mess
Looks like the Cardinals may need another halftime speech from the owner to remind them what the game plan is this season.