Buckle up Dolphins fans, the NFL season is a thrill ride and this Sunday’s matchup against the Jets can go any number of ways. Before writing this article I’ve listened to 3 different sports shows, one in Miami on WQAM (The Joe Rose Show) and the other 2 in New York on WFAN, catching the last segment on Boomer and Gio discussing the Jets vs Dolphins game as well as Tierney and Licata in their opening segment, also discussing the game Sunday. Joe Rose has a regular appearance by Mike Florio from ProFootballTalk, and of course, they also discussed the game. The difference of opinions is as you would expect, all over the place, and the reasoning, all over the place too. Comments like “Well, the Jets are playing good football now, and the Dolphins are reeling, so . . . “, or “I think the Dolphins will win this one but it’s going to be a very close game, especially if Tyreek Hill doesn’t play”.
The way I see it is every game is its own little part of the season, and I also think momentum is such an overrated and overused word. ”The Jets are playing really good football”. You mean the Jets that lost 13-8 the previous week to the Atlanta Falcons? One game does not give ANY indication of anything other than a one game performance in the NFL. You can’t bet on that same type of performance in a different location, against a different team, and expect similar results. That much I can guarantee you. This is a compelling game, it means a lot to the jets who have a very outside chance of still getting a playoff berth. It means a lot to the Dolphins who sorely want to win the division and find the Buffalo Bills right back in striking distance after the brutal loss to the Titans Monday night. I find it comical that all of a sudden Jets QB is the Messiah and he’s going to get it done. Every game is lightning in a bottle. Sometimes the lightning strikes, sometimes it doesn’t.
Monday Night’s loss to the Titans in my mind was one of the worst losses in recent Dolphins history. Was it worse than the Ravens 59-10 thrashing in 2019? Well, in the context of importance and the fact that we had a 2 TD lead with less than 5 minutes to go, yes, it was worse. I don’t know if Tyreek Hill is going to be able to play, or if he plays, how many snaps he can play, and whether he can be effective. The difference is we can game plan around not having him, and if there’s one thing you have to give Mike McDaniel credit for, he can game plan. WR Jaylen waddle will have to step up and take on a bigger role, and then other receivers like Cedrick Wilson, Braxton Berrios, River Cracraft, maybe even Chase Claypool if they decide to sit Tyreek altogether. I don’t feel like last week’s game defines our season, and the team shouldn’t either. We saw the graphic, teams leading by 14 points with 3 minutes to go on Monday Night Football were 767-0. It was crazy, but if you’ve ever played sports, you know crazy things can happen in any given game. So many things have to happen bad for one team and good for the other for that comeback to happen, and that’s exactly how it went. Chubb, who made a critical mental error earlier in the game and allowed the Titans the opportunity to get a TD rather can kick a FG had his arms around Titans QB Will Levis but just couldn’t bring him down. He does, and the Dolphins probably win. The screen pass to RB Tyjae Spears worked to perfection, DeAndre Hopkins getting wide open for a 36 yard strike, with both Xavien Howard and Jalen Ramsey in the lineup. Tua slipping down after avoiding a sack. Shit happens, and I believe in momentum very much within the scope of one game. Sometimes it’s like a freight train going down hill without brakes.
I do believe the 9-4 Dolphins are legit contenders. Forget Super Bowl talk, I don’t see any team in the AFC standing on the mountain top beating their chest saying we’re the team to beat. The closest team to doing that in my opinion is the Baltimore Ravens, a very well coached, very consistent, perennial contender. Since we play the Ravens, we have a chance to see how we measure up, but before we get there, we must take care of business this Sunday against the Jets. If I’m Mike McDaniel, I have everyone ready to play on offense, and if Tyreek Hill plays, it’s just an extra weapon. It doesn’t look like the Dolphins are going to activate RB Chris Brooks for this game, but he has still has one more week beyond this one to be activated. He would need to be activated for next week’s game against the Dallas Cowboys or he’s done for the season.
A huge hurdle the Dolphins have to clear is injuries right now. OC Connor Williams is OUT for the season, and his replacement, OC Liam Eichenberg has a calf injury. OG Robert Hunt didn’t play last week with a hamstring injury and his availability is up in the air this week. LT Terron Armstead got in a limited practice so I have a feeling he suits up, and Lester Cotton will play LG. If Eichenberg can’t go Sunday, we do have another OC on the roster, Jonotthan Harrison who last played in the NFL in 2019 for the Jets, ironically. OG Robert Jones would play RG and OT Austin Jackson at RT. My guess is Eichenberg somehow suits up, but Hunt is questionable at best. S DeShon Elliott who is suffering with a concussion and ribs injury is probably going to sit out so the dynamic duo of Holland and Elliott isn’t likely. No offense to S Brandon Jones but he’s hitting our own guys more than the other guys. CB Xavien Howard suffered a hip injury in the Titans game but he, along with Holland both got in limited practices.
My biggest points I want all of you to take away this week is not to look at least week as a defining moment for our team. There are many more moments that will happen, along with many others that have happened that ALL define this team, and the season. It’s a story not yet finished, not yet written so hang in there and remember we have a good football team, and a good coach. Speaking of Coach, Mike McDaniel has to have this team ready to play Sunday and be the better coach than Rob Saleh. Our QB Tua Tagovailoa has to play a great game and make some big plays and not slip and fall or miss a bad snap or any of those negative things. He has to be the best QB on field, period. We need AVG to be the unstoppable force on the edge, a playmaker again. Tennessee double and triple teamed Chubb last week, daring AVG to do it on his own and he was completely held in check, 4 tackles, no QB hits, no sacks, no bueno. I know we will miss Jaelan Phillips, but AVG has to be better for us to be the defense we need to be. I’m very concerned with RB De’Von Achane. Oh, he has all the talent in the world, but with such limited playing time, he has so many injuries. We need all the playmakers we can get, but this kid is not a high volume player. Mostert has been amazing, but I’m worried about him too. We know he’s hurting, he’s on the injury report every week of the season, and if Achane can’t spell him enough to keep him healthy for the playoffs, hopefully they allow either Jeff Wilson or Chris Brooks to spell him more often.
On the face of it, completely ignoring last week’s loss, we’re hobbling into this game. I think we’re the better team, but I’m not sure how much of this team is going to be available, and stay available throughout the entire game. You have to admit, the coaches have done a masterful with the offensive line, one of our favorite pin cushions. Guys have been out all season, but this is getting a little crazy. Losing Connor Williams really hurts us. Liam Eichenberg has been giving us better play at OG, but now we’re asking him to play OC, and he’s compromised with a calf injury. On defense, S DeShon Elliott being out hurts us. Xavien Howard being compromised with a hip injury hurts us. It’s not an ideal situation, but this team has to find a way. Don’t expect a double digit victory against the Jets this weekend, I’ll take a 1 point victory, because we have to win it. Once again, I don’t believe for a second that last week’s loss hurts us this week. We need to prove that by doing enough to win.
Quick Update: S DeShon Elliott and OG Robert Hunt are OUT Sunday
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Romo is crazy
The 5-7 seeds are atrocious this season
Shutout in play
I would love to shut them out . There is no team I hate as much as the Jets
Same
Chubb defensive player of the week
Good call
Chubbeastly
Chubb having a monster game
We’d better see Mike White here
Chubb making for that helmet throwing penalty Monday night
Let’s go Dallas
Tua 119.4 QBR
But his arm
It’s all Hill
Clean up the penalties
🍻
I’ll tell you what- if we don’t clean up the penalties it’s going to really hurt us in the next three games
There are guys playing that won’t be in the next three games
If we don’t get a bunch of those starters back, it’ll kill us anyway. We especially can’t have Apple on the field in our base defense. Howard needs to be back next week or Apple is going to get lit up.
💯
Alright D. Let’s preserve that shutout!
Tua get’s benched for the 4th time his season! 😉
So much uncalled grounding in this game
Brandon Jones with 2 ints
Now it’s time to root for Dallas
And then Prepare for a 180 and root against them
Way to go Dolphins!! A nearly perfect game
That was a really good win after Monday night, and with all the injuries we have . I think I’m ready to watch last weeks Hard Knocks.
honestly, it was like watching a video of your dog getting hit by a car. I watched the episode yesterday. gut punch
Ok. Well maybe I will not watch then.
Hou and Browns games going to OT
After last week, I’m not resting till tomorrow, and it’s still in the books as a W.
Wasn’t there some kind of controversy with the Titans wearing the old Oilers uniforms?
yup. I think they are “sticking it” to the Texans by wearing them today.
I was confused when I turned it on
Me too Phelon. Took me a second to realize
It’s got me messed up too. My wife said “Houston blew it there” and I almost said “no, that was the Texans” lol
This win was particularly enjoyable because it was against the Jets, but also Covid had been kicking my ass this weekend
I feel ya. Something has been kicking mine too
I’m pretty sure it’s Covid. Took two tests, one positive one negative . Going for a PCR tomorrow
Feel better
Feel better yous guys
I’m coming around. No tests for me. Can’t see what difference it makes. Covid, flu, bronchitis…whatever. Nothing to do but suffer thru them.
I did discover that Flonase took care of the sinus headache
Oh man, that hit on Levis was ugly. Hope he’s ok
Way to go, Houston
Shit, penalty, not over yet
Wow
We dodged some bullets with Houston and Cleveland, some questionable or stupid play
I missed the end of the Browns win after they gave up that long play with like 15 seconds left.
I was busy yelling at the Texans for letting the clock run down on 2nd down with 20 seconds and two timeouts left to kick a 54 yarder, lol.
Thankfully, both went our way
WTF is wrong with Houston? Instead of running another play they settle for a 54 yarder?!!!!
Good grief, lol.
Let’s go Bills, beat the piss out of the Cowboys, then lose the game😜
Njoku with under a minute left breaks off a long catch and run, but doesn’t get dow inbounds, giving the Bears a chance to win it late
Was terrified of our same ole Dolphins today, they sure proved me wrong
OL injuries were the worry
BS roughing call
Phelon- I work in a high school, so I’m not allowed to go in if I have Covid. Also, if it’s Covid I won’t get charged for sick time. Otherwise I wouldn’t test either.
Ah…makes sense
So, go Ravens? My thinking; If the Jags win they will slip ahead of us in the seeds, We have Balt H2H in two weeks so is it better to wait and then take back the seed if we beat Dallas next week?
That is sound reasoning…I’m rooting against the Ravens, lol.
Jacksonville is 8-5. They can slip ahead because we have 10 wins.
Can’t
Thank you. I was confused
The Bills are playing really well
Yup. And have been for the past month.
Rock the jags already have 5 losses we want them to win tonight. If jags win we’re first seed again.
Thanks! I admitted early today that I was stoned AF I appreciate you making me feel better.
Waddle stepped up today. That is what a #2 should do when #1 is out
Magic number is 2
Go Cowboys
Prescott throwing garbage
Dallas with another huge personal foul
Not seeing anything special about the Dallas D
Looks like we will get a pissed off Dallas team if this keeps up
I’m hoping for an over confident Dallas team that thinks they just beat the “best team in the NFCE” coming into next week.
I was too1
Bu they us went down by 14
Bills are dirty
Definitely some cheap hits
Bills look like they are playing with 15 guys on defense.
We officially eliminated the Jets, not that is any news lol
Damn fist pump
Looks like the league and network have agreed they want Buffalo to win
Phelon, the Cowboys don’t scare me as much even though they beat the Eagles. Outside of that game they had a very low SOV also and an easy schedule.
Cowboys should consider tackling Cooks
Ok, a 30-0 beat down of the Jets that had moments when I actually laughed out loud is acceptable recompense for the embarrassment of the Titans loss.
I will remain a fan another week.
Dallas making all the wrong moves. That was a fumble
And another personal foul on Dallas
That did not deserve a flag
I’m still pissed. We should be 11-3 😉
^^ Eagles game? Ob, you mean 12-2?
Total bullshit call
3 personal fouls gonna cost Dallas 3 tds
Can’t watch the Dallas game. Seems Cowboys are getting a lot of penalties. Any of the bogus like the NFL wants the Bills to win?
Never mind yall answered
There was a good one they called on roughing the kicker. That was a foul.
The 1st one that gave the Bills a TD instead of a FG was pure BS. And this last one looked vicious, which was why the flag was thrown, but it wasn’t a good call, just a big hit.
Good idea
How about holding on that Allen run
Bills are gong to lose this game.
Dallas was the #1 scoring offense coming into today. WTF
Prescott is rattled and looks like garbage. Bills D is playing well.
He also took a cheap shot to the head, so maybe that is affecting his play
Dallas tackling has been really terrible.
Is that what they’re calling that?
lol, a loose interpretation of the word
Cook with 104 yards rushing the first half so far. WTF Dallas
Thanks CAV
👍
I’m probably going to turn this game off at the half. The Bills are playing with playoff intensity, Dallas isn’t matching it, and the refs are nudging it the Bills way.
Guess we will be getting the Cowboys on a rebound game.
Well, I don’t see the Cowboys carrying visible weapons so I haven’t seen any penalties…
Don’t pay any attention to the jersey being pulled! Nothing to see here. No DH or DPI here move along…..
We’ll just have to beat the Cowboys and Bills ourselves
grumble grumble grumble. 😞
It seems inevitable the division is coming down to week 18
unless we win at Balt.
Yep
I think our away game at Balt will determine the #2 seed
You mean the #1 seed
Both
Assuming a home win next week
Yes
Like I said yesterday, if the Bills beat Dallas, they will be 10-6 coming into Miami with games left at the Chargers and home vs the Pats.
Even if we win one of the next 2 and are 11-5 facing the 10-6 Bills in Miami in week 18, that game will decide who wins the division. If the Bills win and both teams are 11-6, they will have us on the head to head tie breaker.
Actually, if we lose the next 2 and are 10-6 facing the 10-6 Bills, the Bills will be coming into Miami as the division leader based on head to head.
Oh that fucking Titans game!
Winning at Balt will mean nothing if we don’t beat Dallas first.
Week 18 will decide everything.
Bills are getting pressure every pass play. I hope we can do the same thing next week.
Zach Martin is out
Last game of the season won’t matter
It was nice to see a dominant game….we need the same next week.
D needs to atone for the rest of the season. I’m still pissed…lol!
Let’s hope this Cowboy team shows up next week
I hope the hurt some Buff players this week first….
Back to back home games v Dallas’ back to back away games…an advantage the Dolphins need to take advantage of…lol
Can’t watch this shit anymore
I stopped peaking at the gamecast a while ago.
Started watching some fishing videos
Cowboys look like trash
So they will probably play great against us….lol
Pissed off more than likely
So Jackson re-injured his oblique in the 2nd quarter and may miss the rest of the season. He got his money, played like shit the next game, and may miss the rest of the season now. Hey, at least ya got paid big fella!
There is your answer about why Lamm was in, BBM.
So when Armstead gets injured next game, we’ll have 5 backups playing, unless Hunt comes back. unreal
Fuck
Is Jackson out for the rest of the regular season ? Or the entire season. So he gets extended to a big contract after playing phenomenally , the has his worst game of the season and gets injured. Just our luck.
I only saw a speculation piece about him maybe missing the rest of the season. nothing official yet
Does anyone else notice that the analysts and announcers almost NEVER focus on our OL injuries? Bit of the other team has a ton they harp on it all game? Maybe it’s because we are winning, but it’s still annoying to me.
It’s kind of amazing what we’ve done with a patchwork oline.
Yeah we will see how this patchwork OL does the last 3 games vs winning teams.
I expect it to be rough
Based on Cooks work today , I know what our game plan SHOULD be next week
Taking care of business.🙂
The only thing that makes me happy that Waddle has only scored 4TDs is that we’ve only had to see Ross do the incorrect, uncoordinated “Waddle dance” four times.
😆
Great win, PHINS!!!
Congrats to Raheem Mostert (franchise record for rushing TDs)!!!
Congrats, Defense (first shutout of the season)!!!
PROUD of you, Brandon Jones (2 INTs today)!!!
Way to go, Tua (21/24 today)!!!
Rebound game for CHUBB (3 sacks today)!!!
PENGUIN (8 receptions for 142 and a TD)!!!
OUTSTANDING, TEAM EFFORT!!!
We’ve swept the Patsies* and now the stej!!!
GO PHINS!!!
HELL YEAH!!!
^
How about Case Keenum today?!! Nice win!!!
Minus his pick-6, of course! 😉
Even though Bills won but so did Cleveland and Texas
I’d rather they ALL lost, but yes…
LET’S GO JAGS!!!
My gut is telling me that Lamar Jackson will get injured this evening. I don’t root for injuries (unless you were Patsie* Tom Lady), but Lamar is due to get injured.
M13,
I’ve had the same feeling all game
He’s been getting hit all evening thus far… only a matter of time.
Jax looks a little overmatched
And then a pick by Jax
Are you certain? It’s close to already being 6-3, JAX, if not for two missed FGs.
I’d actually say that Lamar Jackson looks overmatched.
Not from what I see
Lawrence isn’t particularly accurate. And no touch, all fast balls.
Totally agree about all fast balls…
Not as accurate as Tua that is for sure
^
lol, wtf was that?
That was some Sanchez butt-fumble type goofiness
Right?!!
Looked almost as though it was scripted???
WTF is the Ravens’ RG doing and why isn’t it false start?
They are almost never calling that league wide
He even had some forward movement in that last wiggle.
Baltimore just much more physical than Jax. I hate to say it but this game will be like 20-3 at the end
Cris Collinsworth(less) is in love with Lamar like Tony Romo is in love with Josh Allen.
That was a dick move by the returner
He’s the returner, if he can get to it its his, it’s not volleyball
Wow, Lawrence with another huge mistake there not spiking it.
So fucking stupid by Jax
WOW… SMH @ JAX
That was so bloody JV on the part of JAX.