Last week’s Dolphins performance makes me feel very confident going into this week’s Christmas Eve matchup at home at Hard Rock against the Dallas Cowboys. Coach McDaniel knows he and his team made a critical mistake allowing the Titans to steal that MNF game 2 weeks ago and now his team focused on the prize. There’s a sense that they should not only win out so the team is able to secure the #1 seed, but because they have the talent and ability to do so. The Cowboys are a good football team, they have talent on both sides of the ball and should present a difficult challenge. I do believe our team is ready for that challenge.
The Cowboys are a much better team playing at home than they are outside of AT&T Stadium in Arlington. At home in Texas, the Cowboys have score 37.7 points per game while allowing only 15 points per game to their opponents. Away from Texas, the Cowboys are scoring 19.8 points per game while allowing 24.3 points per game, and this includes the season opener in which the Cowboys shellacked the NY Giants 40-0. The Dolphins defense needs to continue it’s ferocity, particularly the pass rush which has been nothing short of fierce. Only one team has more sacks the Dolphins defense, that’s the Baltimore Ravens with 50 compared to our 48. I believe that by the time we face the Ravens, we’ll have more sacks than them.
The Dolphins also have a decent disparity between their home performances and their away performances, but not nearly as drastic as the Dallas Cowboys huge chasm of home and away scoring. The Dolphins are scoring a healthy 35.8 points per game at Hard Rock and 27.1 points per game away. That’s almost a 9 point differential which pales compared to the Cowboys 18 point differential. At home, the Dolphins have allowed 16.4 points per game, but have allowed 25.5 points per game away. Here, the difference in points scored and allowed for both teams is much closer, just about 8 points per game better at home for both teams. The Dolphins defense has also been significantly better in the last few weeks. On the whole, we’re scoring 31.5 points per game and allowing 21. In our last 7 games the defense has really clamped down, allowing only 15.2 points per game, and that includes 3 away games.
I have to say, I’m thrilled we’re on Hard Knocks. I’m enjoying that like no else’s business! Not only do I get to see every Dolphins game, but now I get to see the players and coaches behind the scenes as well! I’m enjoying it ALL as I still firmly believe we’re witnessing a special season. I think this team is capable of representing the AFC in the Super Bowl. First order of business is to take care of the Cowboys in our house on Christmas Eve Day. The injury situation is still rough, I’m guessing that Tyreek Hill, Terron Armstead, Xavien Howard, Jevon Holland, Liam Eichenberg, and Andrew Van Ginkel will all suit up and play, and we’ll also see the return of RB Chris Brooks. Unfortunately on the negative side, it looks like RT Austin Jackson and RG Robert Hunt will miss another game, leaving OT Kendall Lamm to handle RT and either G Robert Jones or Lester Cotton to handle RG.
One very honorable mention, this needs to be said, make it two honorable mentions. actually. LB Duke Riley has played so well in the place of injured LB Jerome Baker. I know this will kill Hulk, but Liam Eichenberg toughing it out last week and suiting up and playing some good football deserves a big mention as well. I don’t know what kind of magic Offensive Line Coach Butch Barry is mixing up but my goodness, that guy deserves major props! I’m looking forward to spending time with family and watching the Dolphins game against the Cowboys Christmas Eve, what could be better? Tyreek Hill will be back, but what a nice game for Jaylen Waddle who really stepped up last game with Tyreek out. We need to see more of him, and not be so Tyreek Hill centric. Could we even see big Chris Brooks getting some carries to put the Cowboys away late in the game and give Raheem Mostert a breather? Stay tuned Dolphins fans!
Merry Christmas !!
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Rock must be hungover this morning. He hasn’t called us “bitches” yet. lol
PT
Mike E,
I wish I had your confidence and optimism. Honestly, I’m expecting we lose this game- just by past experiences. The only way I’ll feel better going into games like this is when we actually win a meaningful game against a worthy opponent.
I don’t look at past experience. This is different. We have the right coach, and we have our QB healthy. We’re not fucking around!
Let’s gooooooooooo!
I said this yesterday evening, but it bears repeating: we can NOT get down big early like we have in our other three losses. That will be a recipe for disaster.
IT’S GAME DAY BITCHES!!!
Go Dolphins!!!
I have no confidence in this team today. I feel like they could blow us out of the water. Or we could go up 42 to nothing on them. I have no idea.
BBM 🖕
🤢🥴
Game day. FinsUp!!!
I am going to have record the game today and watch it later tonight after coming back from my brother’s house. I will have to keep radio silence
Oh, that’s torture Ken!
He can’t put the game on?
It really wouldn’t work and he wouldn’t do it anyway
Rock,
I’m not to those extremes, but I really don’t know what to expect from this team today either. I will say if we can get a decent lead, it may get into their heads. I guess you could say the same thing about us though.
I’m hopeful but not confident.
It’s the hope that kills you.
Ken – Wouldn’t work? Wouldn’t do it? This requires an explanation, on both counts please Counselor!
😂
OMG! 😡😡🤬
My buddy was over the other night and we played Madden and I left him unattended with my system and the fucker went into the settings and set me at All-Madden default and then went into the custom settings and slid all the dipswitches to 0
No wonder I have lost 5 in a row to the Cowboys. MFFFFMMEMMFMFMFMMFFFGDGMFH……siezures….
Why would that go to spam?!!!!!! !!! ! ! ! ! ! ! Now I really am apoplectic
CJ Stroud missing a 2nd game due to concussion. It’s being labelled the most significant concussion of the year. He should retire.
For his own good.
He should retire.
And if the Texans care about their players, they shouldn’t ever let him play again.
Yeah, the Texans are trash because he got hurt. Ryans should step down….
👀
He’s fragile
#4 get’s a pick today
I’m annoyed we’re not playing the morning game
You are just an old white guy. That comes with annoyance as a side dish. Like the throw away coleslaw at the BBQ place
LOL
Get off my lawn!
None of these morning games have me excited to watch.
Is it wrong that I’ve told my family I can’t watch the game today with my mom the cowboys fan? I honestly can’t do it. She can’t hear, so the tv is always so loud. And she talks a lot. Then she can’t hear your answer so you spend 5 minutes explaining what she thought you said was not what you said.
Plus I do need to do laundry.
Laundry, yes!
I don’t get FOX here at the office. Antenna is jacked up. Boss did away with cable to save money. He said he doesn’t pay people to watch TV. I told him that was BS and he just laughed.
I will have to stream the game. Sucks! I will be cheering and bitching a few seconds behind y’all. lol
I guess nflbite still works.
Just looked at the coverage map and almost the entire country will be viewing our game.
Mike E. says:
December 24, 2023 at 11:50 am (Edit)
Ken – Wouldn’t work? Wouldn’t do it? This requires an explanation, on both counts please Counselor!
—————-
His TV is not on the main floor of the house and he believes the whole family should be together to celebrate Christmas so doesn’t want people watching the games
OK, I can sort of get that, but he could also accommodate you that this is an important game and you want to see it. I can understand the logic though
I would rather watch the game
An acquaintance of mine who happens to be a Jet’s fan and a conspiracy theorist said to me at Starbucks this morning “good for you man” and I was like for what and he was like do you think the NFL is going to throw hard knocks in season at you guys and let you lose? Not until late if that.
I told him he was crazy as a shithouse rat and….thanks. LOL
Flacco has been really good and it’s pretty amazing what Cleveland has done after losing their stud RB and QB for the season.
tick………….tock………tick………………………………..tock
I’m excited! 🙂
I think the clock is sloooow.
Give me something to write on.
lol, awesome-same page.
Cheapest day of ticket for Phins/Boys is $386. The town is excited about this one. And yeah there is a reason we are able to get cheap tix for the Fest ($75 this year) if we pick the right games.
Make that $286 — but same point.
In case I didn’t thank you at the time for all you do to make the fest happen, the tailgate and food, getting the tickets, the Dave & Busters gathering, THANK YOU!!! Was great meeting you finally!!’ 😁
Herd — was so awesome to meet you. Don’t think we got to talk about it but my Pa was a Kentucky coal miner in his youth. Saw some of my Mom’s family in you, which means gentle grace. She was born in Rock Castle County KY.
Was hoping Holland would be back.
at least we don’t have to worry about an Iggy revenge game 😂
I’m just glad to see he still has a paycheck rolling in. Glad he is not on our team, but nice guy. Can’t blame him for a lack of football instincts.
Or the Cowboys didn’t want us to exploit his weakness. 😉
It sucks we can’t get a topnotch homefield advantage from our fans.
Tells you why the price of tix is so high, but not like we haven’t been there before. The burden of playing in a place everyone wants to go to.
If the game was here the tix would be $750+ fees
37 minutes
Let’s Go Dolphins!!!
🐬🏈💥🎄🎅🏻🎁❤️
Moron detroit player just had to fall on it! Instead he tried to pick it up and Vikings got the recovery. Stupid lack of football IQ present every damned game.
Damned near cost them the game.
HA HA!
Now change the channel Dolphins are playing
9 minutes
Let’s go Dolphins!!!!!!!
Congrats to Dan Campbell and the Lions. First division title since 1993.
Jest were up 27-7 and that vaunted defense gave it all up, now down 28-27
As of right now.
Ravens are 11-3
We are 10-4
8 teams have either 9 or 8 wins.
Yeah this game matters.
^
We talked about how competitive the AFC was going to be.
Merry Christmas from Sydney. It’s Monday 22/25 830 AM here. Got my vpn ready to watch the game
Merry Christmas piggy!
Fuck, got my stream going and just got a bond to do in the next county. Going to miss the whole first half.
Love it Wilkins getting in his head
OMG Wilkins is fucking with that center. Play over center turns to walk away, Wilkins punches him
That was too easy
I wish for it to be a little less easy next time….
WOOOOOHOOOOOHOOOOOOHOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO
Let’s goooooii!
Wow!!!
Yes!!!
Those are the breaks that usually don’t go our way in these types of games. Hopefully a sign.
My game plan is coming together.
Take ball away and keep them from scoring on opening drive…check
score?
Fuck!!!!!
🐧 💥
Oh my
He can stay another week…
Sanders rewarding Mcdaniel’s belief.
Fisters are great from 57
Wow. Great kick Sanders!
I was holding my breath. Whew!
What has Sanders been eating the last few months? He’s been locked in!
Must be a contract year
Hated the decision, but not the result
Nah, it’s all Tyreek
I’m with Ramsey. He should be shadowing
Agreed
Lamb killing is today.
Did I say yet that I’m with Ramsey. He should be shadowing
grrrrrrr
I saw Fangio… I know he’s there… make yer presence felt
Put Ramsey on him already
Here we go. Big play , missed tackles. We’ve seen this movie in big games before.
Kohu and Elliot on Lamb?
Ramsey needs to shadow Lamb for the rest of the game.
Playing our Tenn 4 minute D today
Thankfully the Cowboys killed themselves on that first drive because we certainly haven’t done anything to stop them yet.
If we don’t adjust Ramsey to shadow Lamb after those first two drives…
Tua feeling the rush again
Tua is a little off today
Concussion
🍻
Chosen concussed
That looked like a concussion….
Ragdolled Chosens head
Off to Tua’s martial arts class
Looks like he hit him in the helmet
that looks like concussion protocol for Chosen
Looks like we could’ve used Chosen today
Smythe pancaked WIlson on that play
Stayy on your feet Smyythge that was 6
#72 tackled mostert!
We have some really clumsy players
Great tackle armstead
I’m hoping he just has the wind knocked out of him from Terron landing on him
Mostert need like 3 yards to have 1000….
Shovel pass to Achane would be good now
Most fragile team I’ve ever seen
Wtf is that dirty play
Just another bad pass, no chance for the receiver to come down with that.
Not a fan of that when our defense has been so porous so far. Take points.
I liked the call to go for it. Not the play called.
nope, take the points
Take the FUCKING POINTS McDaniel
Why the fuck not take the fucking points. Stupid fucking shit!
One of the reasons we lose big games. Shitty play calling in big spots
I agree
Worst fucking call ever
fucking unbelievable
what a bullshit call
Yep. This is why we lose these games . Dumb fucking penalty Wilkins.
Horrible roughing
other than the penalty, our D is fired up