This is it! TIME TO SHINE!!!
It’s not going to be easy, we all understand that, but the Miami Dolphins simply have to find a way to win this game at home, in the friendly confines of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. Sure, there will be a lot of important Miami Dolphins players that will miss this game, most recently, OLB Bradley Chubb, CB Xavien Howard and WR Jaylen Waddle, who join OLB Jaelan Phillips, OC Connor Williams, OG Isaiah Wynn and potentially, ILB Jerome Baker who may make his way back this Sunday night. There is also a chance Jaylen Waddle plays, but those high ankle sprains are so difficult to play with, and even if WR Tyreek Hill plays, he’s not playing nearly at 100% with a sore ankle of his own.
I can’t express how important this game is. The Dolphins team psyche is fragile at best after getting demolished and embarrassed last Sunday in a 56-19 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Yes Dolphins fans, yet another beatdown at the hands of the Baltimore Ravens. It was a demoralizing loss, in what was a fight for the #1 seed in the AFC. After the 1st quarter, it wasn’t much of a fight, even though we got the first punch in. Of course, to pour salt in already open wounds, we lost OLB Bradley Chubb to an ACL tear (non-contact) very late in the game, where he should have been on the bench. Young coach mistake there, and one that could have ramifications for not only this season, but next as well.
I believe it will be ROLB Melvin Ingram who will start opposite LOLB Andrew Van Ginkel. DE/OLB Emmanuel Ogbah will be in the rotation as well as 2nd year OLB Cameron Goode. On the O-line, it’s looking like RG Robert Hunt will be playing, but how long, is anyone’s guess. OC Liam Eichenberg is hurting with a calf injury but he’s been a gamer and has fought through it. RB Raheem Mostert will almost surely play, it was a surprise he missed the Ravens game. Both ILB’s David Long Jr. and Duke Riley are hurting, so if Jerome Baker is healthy enough to go, he may be needed. Listen, none of this ideal, we all understand the NFL is a game of attrition, and the Dolphins have been hit hard by injuries, but this game is just extremely important. The difference between losing two games in a row at the end of the season and ending up the #6 seed and a Wild Card, and beating the Bills and potentially removing them from the playoff picture entirely is just tremendous. Being the AFC East Champs and securing a Home Playoff game or traveling to KC as a downtrodden Wild Card team is a chasm nearly equal to the Grand Canyon.
The Buffalo Bills handled us quite easily in our first matchup earlier in the season, it wasn’t even close, as they cruised to a 48-20 victory in Buffalo. We will not have the heat advantage as it’s January, and the high temperature for Sunday is expected to be 73 degrees, and about 63 at game time. I would also expect a strong showing of Buffalo Bills fans at Hard Rock, which further lessens our home team advantage. Despite those shortcomings, Head Coach Mike McDaniel has to have his team confident, and ready to compete for the AFC title. This is no small feat, but it’s also essential if this team is going anywhere and contend for a Super Bowl berth.
Two games can really impact our game. First off, the Steelers vs Ravens game. If the Steelers can knock off the Ravens, who will be resting most of their starters, including QB Lamar Jackson, then that would be the first domino to fall. Then on Sunday, if the Jacksonville Jaguars defeat the Tennessee Titans, this would force the Bills into a must win situation in order to make the playoffs. I’m not sure the Bills need any extra incentive to want to beat us, but that scenario just might make them a little extra desperate. My feeling is we should be just as desperate. We need to have a positive ending to the season, and another loss might just break this team. Not that the Kansas City Chiefs are unbeatable, far from it, but a playoff game in January in Kansas City will more than likely be in frigid temps, and I can’t see us having any confidence after surrendering the division crown to the Bills while having a two game lead with 2 games to go. It’s just a horrible situation, and I know our team has been tight, meaning feeling a good camaraderie, but those 2 losses to end the season to fall to Wild Card status could be too much to overcome.
The Bills are the hot team, winning 4 in a row, we’re floundering now after not only losing the game but leaving one of our best defensive players behind as well. RB James Cook has been huge weapon for the Bills during this 4 game tear. He has 355 yards rushing with 1 rushing TD and 8 receptions for 121 yards and 1 receiving TD. Josh Allen has been running the ball more often as well, imposing his will on the defense. Allen has 115 yards rushing in the last 4 and a whopping 6 rushing TD’s. Allen has always been dangerous when facing us, and in addition to James Cook, Stefon Diggs and Gabe Davis, we will have our hands full. Allen, along with James Cook might just run all day against our defense, especially with all 3 ILB’s hobbled (Long, Riley and Baker). With Xavien Howard OUT, CB Eli Apple will get the starting nod at LCB opposite Jalen Ramsey. CB Kader Kohou will be in the slot. I’m not sure how Vic Fangio is going to play this defense. Do we have one of our OLB’s spy Josh Allen, either Andrew Van Ginkel or Melvin Ingram? My preference would not be that, I’d rather have them rushing the passer, but if Josh Allen is running amuck, that might have to change.
Another key factor will be our offense. We must be running hot, we have to run the ball with both Mostert and Achane, and we must score TD’s, not rely on FG’s. The Bills offense has not been a high powered offense, and we’ll be much better suited to defend them if they’re playing from behind. It’s imperative for our run game to be working and someone besides Tyreek Hill needs to threaten the defense. I’m fine with the Tyreek show if he’s killing it, but I’d much rather see more balance in our attack. McDermott has been successful defending us, so Mike McDaniel has his work cut out. My hope is that he has the right gameplan on Sunday night to finally grasp the AFC East crown. It’s been 15 years since we’ve done that, 2008. It’s TIME TO SHINE!!!
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Brian in NY says:
January 7, 2024 at 3:59 pm
That Titans loss killed us. Everything has gone wrong since then . I actually kind of don’t want to win tonight (don’t think we will anyway) because we won’t beat the Bills in back to back weeks.
—————–
I predicted this exact season outcome the day after the Titans loss. I was scoffed at by some.
That is a good question:
Which is tougher, beating the Bills twice in a row at home or beating the Chiefs on the road in 15 degree weather?
Beating the chiefs in KC is one of the hardest things to do
It’s much harder
I don’t think it’s close
Bri – reply from last page
You’re not alone in that train of thought, but I feel like you get demoralized by the Ravens 56-19, lose to the Bills in your house and let them steal the AFC East crown, and then all of a sudden you’re going to travel to KC and beat them in frigid weather in their house, which is a very loud stadium? I don’t see that happening. Beat the Bills, the team will be confident, and then we’ll take them on with Waddle and Mostert at home after we already proved we can beat them.
We just have to beat the Bills. Don’t think anyone is looking to go to KC instead of opening the playoffs at home.
Howie’s List
Week 18
🐃 @ 🐬
🦬 27-24 🐬
🐷 27-0 🐬
🏈 31-30 🐬
Lets Go Dolphins!
Our situation is what it is so all we can do is root for our team and hope for the best. I know that’s like a duh comment but that’s what it is. We know we get to play a playoff game wherever and like I’ve said before, that’s the only game that really matters. Play great tonight and win, then lose the playoff game. That’s the worst loss of all of them. It ends your season.
If my math is correct, Jared Goff leads the NFL in passing yards at the moment after today’s Lions’ game (4,575 yards).
This means Tua (currently at 4,451) needs to pass for 125 yards this evening to finish as the NFL leader in passing yards… barring Dak Prescott going off in the 2nd half of his game (not going to happen), or us yielding 500+ passing yards to Josh Allen this evening.
Last time a Miami Dolphin led the NFL in passing yardage? Dan Marino, 1992, 4,116 passing yards.
De’Vone Achane is 256 yards away from 1,000 rushing on the season… just sayin’… 😉
He’s the modern day Gale Sayers. Different body type but the same different skill set. So many explosive plays per touch.
^^^
Would be awesome to do nothing but Run Achane for 256 yards and not show the Buffalo defense anything else so they are unprepared next week for our passing game….lol
YES!!!
‘Reek the Cheetah is 248 receiving yards away from breaking Calvin Johnson’s single-season record of yards in a season… just sayin’… 😉
‘Reek is also 283 receiving yards away from being the first 2K WR in NFL history.
* in a single season.
283 would be one huge game. If he hadn’t sat out that one game might be a reasonable half of that.
Don’t see him reaching that tonight.
Me neither… but who knows?!!
stangerx says:
January 7, 2024 at 5:47 pm
283 would be one huge game. If he hadn’t sat out that one game might be a reasonable half of that.
————-
100% agree, Stanger. But thankfully, he did rest that one game so that he may be able to deliver in the playoffs for us.
Or perhaps better stated, delivering down the stretch for us.
That loss to the Titans continues to haunt our house. A 1st-round bye would have been just what the doctor ordered for the likes of Cheetah, Waddle, T-Stead, and many others.
I think beating Buffalo twice in a row, making them make the trip twice, is very doable. In my opinion, beating them tonight will be tougher than beating them a second time.
This is pretty crappy by the saints
https://x.com/fieldyates/status/1744103361266307255?s=61&t=NWZ–WfgKu_dYbC-fKuB3A
No wonder Arthur Smith looked so pissed when the coaches met at the end of the game. He was pretty fired up
Why did they do that? They are division rivals, but that is unnecessarily poor sportsmanship. Is there some recent bad blood?
Win, lose, or draw this evening (and being we’re already playoff-bound)… it’s been one HELLUVA season for our PHINS!!!
Let’s put some more icing on the cake tonight!!!
^
Here here.
Eagles are blowing the division to the Cowboys. Strange
The Eagles have completely fallen off a cliff.
I want to win tonight so I don’t feel the same way about our team
I hear ya
They’ve been awful of late.
As it turns out, if the Cowboys win, the Cowboys win the NFC East no matter what the Eagles did today
So Cowboys doing what we need to do. Just win and take the division
Was today’s loss to the Jet’s Belicheat’s final game with NE?
Yes
Monster collapse by the Eagles this year
What makes the NFL think West Palm Beach would rather watch Cowboys/Washington and GB /Chi over ANY AFC game? I don’t care about the NFC. Put the FN AFC games on!
I hope food poisoning is rampaging through Buffalo’s locker room right now. Every stall full of guys screaming prayers for it to stop
IV’s all around
https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/a649a3e0-23a7-41b5-bfcf-b52871a8a081/gif
OH MAN OH MAN OH MAN THE FLIES!!! LOL
I hate this.
I don’t have anxiety. I have a disgruntled feeling that I know they are going to lose and in an embarrassing manner.
I hope I am wrong.
History says I am probably not.
Kind of like knowing you are about to get a beating from a drunk when you see the headlights in the driveway.
Waddle, Mostert OUT. Jerome Baker IN
I saw that. Next man up! We’re gonna win this game. I know it!
Let’s go Phinssssss
BTW Mike our avatars are so similar. 🙂 that must be a sign we’re gonna win this game.
Curious to see how #55 is used. I read he may be used outside as a pass rusher
Hey Boulder, whatever it takes to win!!
Dolphins
CB Xavien Howard
RB Raheem Mostert
WR Jaylen Waddle
CB Ethan Bonner
OT Kion Smith
TE Tyler Kroft
QB Skylar Thompson
They need to grind on without these guys tonight
With as many injuries as were on the list, this isn’t that bad.
Get X, Mostert & Waddle back for the playoffs after another week’s rest.
I need to check myself. We made the playoffs for the second time under MM. Anything can happen.
Let’s all join Boulder’s vibe. Fuck yeah!! FinsUp!!!!🙂
bailbondmike says:
January 7, 2024 at 4:19 pm
Brian in NY says:
January 7, 2024 at 3:59 pm
That Titans loss killed us. Everything has gone wrong since then . I actually kind of don’t want to win tonight (don’t think we will anyway) because we won’t beat the Bills in back to back weeks.
—————–
I predicted this exact season outcome the day after the Titans loss. I was scoffed at by some.
I was right there with you
Mike E. says:
January 7, 2024 at 4:22 pm
Bri – reply from last page
You’re not alone in that train of thought, but I feel like you get demoralized by the Ravens 56-19, lose to the Bills in your house and let them steal the AFC East crown, and then all of a sudden you’re going to travel to KC and beat them in frigid weather in their house, which is a very loud stadium? I don’t see that happening. Beat the Bills, the team will be confident, and then we’ll take them on with Waddle and Mostert at home after we already proved we can beat them.
Excellent points Mike E
Thanks Bri
Saw a blurb on the news scroll that Belichick is being tied to the Atlanta Falcons
Looks like we have our best OL going tonight. Maybe a Cam Smith sighting?
Kion Smith inactive
My bad Armstead is on IR right?
All those years of 6-10 to 8-8, enjoy the ride folks!🙂
Let’s Go Dolphins!!!
Tim – no, Armstead is playing
Okay so is Jackson playing?
Yep
Hate to hear that half the crowd is from Buffalo 🤮
That would never happen in Buffalo, because, well, no one from FLA is going to take a vacation to Buffalo
Yeah they’re two different cities. People in Florida do a lot of outdoor stuff all year round while people in Buffalo are buying gas for generators and salt right now.🤣
I was surprised no Kion Smith, that leaves only Kendall Lamm at T as backup. C Jonatthan Harrison is active
Mike, Armstead, Jackson and Hunt playing is our best OL, right?
Yes, but obviously Isaiah Wynn is OUT, so Lester Cotton us at LG, and Eichenberg is at C for Connor Williams
I meant the best available.😉
Agreed
Silly Pre-game Madden ritual prediction. Allen’s final pass of the evening will be a pick.
FinsUp!!!! Let’s go!
TIME TO SHINE!!! Go Dolphins 🐬
Not spam
HERE WE GO!!
LFG!!!
GO PHINS!!!
HELL YEAH!!!
Maybe our dark horse is Jeff Wilson Jr. he can grind and get chunk yards. Achane has to be explosive along with Hill. We need to play well on offense.
Curious to see how much we use Jeff Wilson tonight too, but more Curious about how we use #55
Shade Allen and Cook. Follow the ball.
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 🐬
Elliott injured his calf in pregame warmups- unreal
Tyreek needs to have an epic week. House burned? Yeah, here’s 290 yards and 3 TD’s
We get the ball first! Let’s score and not look back!!
2 TE set. Run motherfucker run!
sounds like a fucking road game
I posted Friday that 62% of the secondary market tickets were sold to Buffalo fans .
Big game. Tua throws an INT.
Another Tua punt
Not good…
Throwing into double coverage. Kinda like a punt really, but momentum to the Bills, and of course doubt that Tua turns into a pumpkin in big games
If the glass slipper fits…
What a horrible decision and throw
I’m mildly hopeful, but I think we all know what’s going to happen tonight.
The only result that would surprise me , is if we torched and stomped them like they did to us 1st game
Same play on first down from Buffalo?
DeShon Elliot’s calf looks fine.
Question is, will I be searching Netflix at halftime?
Riley is a liability in coverage
Stick a fork in this team. Why do we bother every fucking year?
Should have been a flag
Apple can’t even do a big play right
lol
Good catch by Apple , bad decision to leave the Ez
Apple can’t even make a proper int just stay down
Was that an Eli Apple interception!??
I was in the other room doing laundry!!
Yes
Beer to Mike E 🍺
Even when we get a win, we lose by running the ball out to the 3 yd line, lol.
Refs gave us a gift not throwing the flag on Kohu.
Yes, he was riding him
Stay in the end zone Apple!
Is it just me or are These pitch plays looking weird/awkward
No, they look a little weird
It might be that they are designed to confuse the defense
So it’s working if it confuses us too….lol
The last one he faked a hand off left , then spun to right there was no rb on the left side 🤔
I can see it’s going to be an emotIonal rollercoaster around here tonight…lol
Morning all. It’s the Fins M.O. and the life of every fin fan anyway Piggy
I can’t take it
I’m doing breathing exercises during the commercial breaks….lol
Alright both sides got a chance to feel each other out. Here we go.
Piggy – I can’t bear to watch this team collapse in a big game, so yeah man, it’s gonna be a roller-coaster! 😳
Wow. We got lucky there
Dodged a bullet there
We didn’t get lucky there
This defense may get beat, but they wont get beat for not trying
Bout time Allen ended on his ass
Atta boy Josh
Yes!!!
Elliot may be my favorite Dolphin right now
Allen finding wide open Fin DBs all game
🤗
Cutesy again …. Glad he held onto it 🫣
LOVE IT!!!
Too fucking cute with the play calling
When it works MM’s a genius. When it doesn’t……….
Allen is just reckless
Robert Jones in at LG
Stop getting so fucking cute MM
We should start throwing it on first down
I think Hill jumped 20 feet high on that catch
Guys – we need to run Achane wide
It’s not being cute, he will break a big one if we keep doing it
Like that ?
Yes
Hill is a great player.
Wilson has fresh legs. He SHOULD!
There we go
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Nice , still odd looking , but nice
Yes!!!!!
Nice drive
great drive. my heart is pounding and i am breathing shallow. i want this win so bad
🤢
I just let out some medieval guttural scream!! Felt great!! 😂
Jordan Poyer is a heck of a bullfighter