It’s going to be really, really cold on Saturday, and our Dolphins now have to deal with subzero temperatures, as well as Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the Chiefs. Not sure if either team has a real advantage in this weather, but no question the Dolphins don’t get the edge they could have had if they locked up their division, and took care of business! Alas, we are where we are, and now we have to hope that somehow we can make an improbable tour through some of the best AFC teams and knock them off one by one in their house. First up is KC, as two 11-6 teams clash. Oddly enough, both teams are disappointed to finish 11-6, although the Chiefs did win the AFC West division, where the next best team was 8-9. Not so, as we all well know in the AFC East. The Dolphins had everything laid out perfectly, a 3 game lead with 5 games to go, Dolphins 10-4, Bills 7-6. We didn’t wash out in December like many past seasons, we went 3-2, but the Bills got hot when it counts and went 4-0 after their BYE week.
Time to move on from the past, and start looking ahead. The team has no choice, and neither do we. The Chiefs have changed from the usual high flying offense to a middling offensive team. Their defense though has improved significantly and is the more dominant unit, the better unit by far. Regardless of this, we all know Kansas City is dangerous offensively because as long as #15 Patrick Mahomes is on the field, the Chiefs are an offense to be feared. Mahomes brings an 11-3 Playoff record to this Wild Card clash, so while Dolphins fans are hopeful because the Chiefs haven’t been the explosive offense they’ve been in the past, that changes when it counts. Speaking of changing when it counts, our team, and our QB included, have played tight, and the offense hasn’t been remotely as effective in big games. Now some fans have different definitions as to what big games are, but to simplify this, how about we just take the last 3 games of the season where the Buffalo Bills are on a tear, and we need to win every game to hold them off.
Week 14, The Dolphins have a 3 game lead over Buffalo. We host the Titans on Monday Night Football in the friendly confines of Hard Rock Stadium. Tua Tagovailoa throws for 240 yards, zero TD’s, zero INT’s. Not a horrible game, a respectable 90.3 QBR, but not exactly a game that leads the team to an important victory either. The next week we hosted the hapless NY Jets, and we handled the Jets rather easily in this one. Tua was 21-24 for 224 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT’s. Solid game, the defense was stifling, Sanders kicked 3 FG’s and Raheem Mostert rushed for a TD. Christmas Eve day we host the Cowboys, and we eek out a one point victory. Tua does lead the game winning FG drive, but aerial attack isn’t what it was earlier in the season as Tua managed to throw just 1 TD and it’s K Jason Sanders who boots 5 FG’s that carries the team. Then we travel to Baltimore for our every few years smackdown. Winning QB Lamar Jackson throws 5 TD’s, 0 INT’s. Tua Tagovailoa 2 TD’s, 2 INT’s. So that’s December for ya! 5 games, 4 TD’s, 2 INT’s. I’m not handpicking stats, they are what they are. I’m not even including the earlier season games against winning teams like the Bills, Chiefs and Eagles, if I did, it would be uglier, you can trust me. There’s no false narrative, Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins offense do not play well against better competition.
The good thing is, as long as he’s still playing, he can change that. He has a fantastic opportunity to turn all that around by playing a great game and leading his team to victory against the Chiefs in frigid conditions. Believe me, he needs this, the team needs this. Perhaps it’s a foregone conclusion that Tua is going to get paid $50M per year, but winning a playoff game or two would go a long way towards earning it. Our defense is a shocking, yes shocking mess right now. I’ve never seen a team more decimated and ravaged by injury. It’s not enough that 3 of four LB’s went down with season ending injuries, Jaelan Phillips (Achilles), Bradley Chubb (ACL tear), and Jerome Baker (Dislocated wrist, MCL) who managed to return for the Bills game and played his heart out. Then add in the 2nd string LB Andrew Van Ginkel and then 3rd string LB Cameron Goode (Ruptured patella) so the Dolphins are left with 2nd string ILB Duke Riley and OLB’s Melvin Ingram and Emmanuel Ogbah. The Dolphins have signed OLB’s Justin Houston and Bruce Irvin and they will absolutely see a fair amount of action, because neither Ogbah or Ingram are truly in playing shape, neither of them have been playing. At ILB, Calvin Munson and Channing Tindall will likely play next to Duke Riley, unless we activate ILB Malik Reed from the practice squad who was also recently signed. Let’s be honest, if you don’t think the Chiefs watched the Bills torch our LB’s last week and aren’t salivating at the prospects of TE Travis Kelce and RB Isiah Pacheco having record breaking days, well . . . .
Even will all of the injuries, I think we can beat the Chiefs. Of course we have numerous players QUESTIONABLE for tomorrow night, WR Jaylen Waddle, RB Raheem Mostert, S Jevon Holland, S DeShon Elliott, and unfortunately, CB Xavien Howard remains OUT. I would tend to think that all of our guys will play, as Apollo Creed says, “There is no tomorrow!” If it’s extremely windy, that will make passing more difficult, and we know which of the two QB’s is capable of overcoming the wind with a powerful arm. I’m sure we’ll be running as much as we can, and with our stable of RB’s, I think we have the advantage with Mostert, Achane, Wilson and Brooks compared to the Chiefs Pacheco, Edwards-Helaire and Perine. This will most likely be a trenches game, and we should have 3/5’s of our original line back, although you can say 4/5’s as Eichenberg has been starting at C for a while now. There’s a small chance of snow, which would make the game more interesting to watch for sure.
This is not where we want to be, but we’re in the playoffs, and we still have a chance to make some noise. It could be a great story if some of the guys we picked up make a big impact on the game. Imagine if Justin Houston and Bruce Irvin each get a couple of sacks and maybe force a turnover or two? Imagine if Malik Reed gets called up from the practice squad and intercepts a pass to TE Travis Kelce to seal a Dolphins victory? Anything can happen, and I’m happy we still have an opportunity even though we choked away the division crown. We can make the most of a poor situation. One game at a time, but have to win it to stay in it. Beat the Chiefs and then we’ll see who we have to play next. At least if we win tomorrow night, the team will have some newfound confidence going forward, and Hard Knocks will much more watchable for all of us.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Cav and UK are talking gourmet stuff, but you guys ever had Jumbo slice pizza? What we are doing tonight. The pans they make it in must be like two feet across.
Well Flacco imploded.
Yep
I’m not cooking food for the game, I can’t eat during a game. Too nervous or whatever. But I am going to make some gluehwein. I think that’s the correct spelling. It’s cold here. Not as cold as KC, but cold enough. 😂
Inactives.
https://x.com/miamidolphins/status/1746316564075319639?s=46&t=iJM4Q1l5mMck0UQRm2xJ-w
This is the Flacco of the last few years that I remember
This banged up and Cam Smiths still can’t break in 🤷♂️
We have 9 of 11 starters available today on offense. We are healthier on offense than we’ve been all season
I’m going to watch the game at Pig Beach tonight with friends
Which is where I watched the Denver game
So……
Piggy – what is Pig Beach?
It’s a BBQ sports bar place in Queens near my hiuse
https://www.pigbeachnyc.com/
There’s one I. Brooklyn too
https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fi0.wp.com%2Fofficialharbourisland.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2019%2F05%2Fpigs.jpg%3Ffit%3D1200%252C615%26ssl%3D1&tbnid=MBw0-il3CbglKM&vet=1&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fofficialharbourisland.com%2Fpig-beach%2F&docid=Nq17zOvJ3tZ5fM&w=1200&h=615&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim%2Fm4%2F3
That is on Darlene’s bucket list
Swim with the pigs
Correct
https://x.com/dolfansnyc/status/1746323061488406946?s=46
FYI guys slatterys is packed
If we win tonight, keep it open as an option to watch next weeks game Northeasterners – bc it’s great to be surrounded by Dolfans
For context here is -9 feeling like – 29 …. So yeah it’s cold there but could be worse
FinsUp!!!!!
Pacheco visor already fogged up …. Hopefully our guys take them all off
Might be frosted. 🥶🤣
Let’s Go Dolphins!!!
❤️🐬🏈
Dilly dilly
Here we go folks
Let’s go Dolphins
We made it to the dance… now let’s show and prove!
LFG!!!
GO PHINS!!!
HELL YEAH!!!
That was a little too easy
I sure hope Duke Riley is alright.
A lot too easy
Mike E,
Did ya see Carl Weathers on that last commercial?!! He should have said, “There IS no tomorrow!”! 🙂
No, missed it. I was crying
ok first drive shows Reid is a great coach
2nd one too
Well, this is not such a surprising start.
On an that was an ugly punt
Our players are running like they have no traction unlike KC.
We couldn’t be off to much worse of a start in all three phases: KC TD, three and out, shitty punt.
After a shitty kickoff
Looks like an implosion in all phases coming on. Fuck!
Beer to you
1st no shirt guy is wearing a Fins toque
Better get a stop her or it’ll get ugly quick
i expect it to get ugly quick…
We are alive !!!
Complimentary football folks! Lol
Dolphins are feeling the affect of this cold when trying to tackle.
Apple never seems to turn around
I was just thinking the same thing
A dime a day keeps the Apple away…
Offense needs to get it going. We will not survive another anemic effort. Our Def is reeling from injuries. Offense needs to put together a solid drive here. We took KC’s first punch (just like in Germany), now it’s time to execute.
Waddle. Nice. Get some eyeballs on him
The ESPN gamecast is ahead of peacock by over 1 play. I see what the result is before the play.
I hate this now it’s 3rd and 1
Cutesy #1
I hate that call on 2nd and short
I do too, but a good pass gets the first down
7-0 when I came down. Thought it was a 1.20 start. Picking up some momentum and shutting the crowd up now?
Spoke too soon. Smh
now 3rd and 6
Grrrr. Wheels are getting wobbly
Draft a QB.
Ugh. This isn’t going to end well at the current rate.
wow, that looked Familiar (over these last 3 weeks) from Tua
I have to quit watching the gamecast. I hate knowing what’s happening before it happens.
Just so you know, Wilson taking a fucking illegal formation there, screwing up the drive, leading to an INT has NOTHING to do with injuries.
As does the shitty pass to Achane on 2nd down
There is the Tua we are becoming used to. Just sayin
^
2nd and 10 KC
I’ve turned the game off. I can’t watch this team anymore this year. It feels like one of those dumb movies where a characters loses their super powers and then they become an absolute baffoon of a human and can’t even walk on a sidewalk without tripping.
Well at least it’s Apple 😲🤫
He’s the best we have on the boundary. Kohou has been getting torched when he plays on the outside this season
This is about to get ugly.
Offense has no excuses. Healthiest it’s been in forever. It will come down to QB play
Well, it’s not looking good in that department
I can forgive the defense, the injuries have been insurmountable. The ineptness of this offense is where I have an issue. Achane, Mostert, and Waddle are in there, and the same issues continue to plague us. There’s no excuse for that side of the ball.
DB’s looking like they don’t want to hit. Holding off to see if someone else makes the play and giving extra yards.
We just can’t beat good teams. That’s not a narrative, that’s a fact.
Still in this for at least 2 more drives
BUCK BUCK BUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!111
There we go
Not a great throw though
It’s windy
There ya go!
Tyreeeeeeeeek!
He’s got Hill
Now let’s play some fucking defence
The only drawback of the quick TD is the D didn’t get much rest
C’mon, Apple! Tackle him with your purse!!! SMH
If we can’t get pressure when we are blitzing then we are in big trouble against Mahomes.
At LAST… the national media (Tirico to Garrett) acknowledges our injury woes: “Have you ever seen anything thing like it in all your years of coaching?”.
FUCK!
Fuck it. We are done. Can’t stop them
Ogbah couldn’t even catch a cold
Seiler
WAY TO GO, ZACH SIELER!!!
Despite being held 👍👍
Beer to you Toba
Just not a Guinness please 😎
Another win by the D. Defense is doing their job
Zach blocked that whilst being held. Brilliant
K let’s drive for the tying TD 👍👍
KC has more than double TOP than us. We need a long, time consuming drive here.
Suh studio guest for Sky. He said Zach needs to get Mahomes in the dirt, not block his passes. Tough guest
‘Reek ROCKS! T-Stead was down on the ground there on 1st and 10, and it was ‘Reek who helped him back up.
*after the 1st and 10 play.
Tua has been absolutely awful
I think a lot of it has to do with the cold, but to your point, Tua has been weak thus far.
FUCK!!! 😡
Bad play call on 3rd down. Should have run it
Exactly
Passing game is struggling, Tua is struggling
Refs keeping us in it
Offense has another opportunity to go down and take the fucking lead going into half.
We’ll beLucky not to go three and out and give the ball back to KC with excellent field position
NFL officiating 🤣🤣🤣
Our screens are deplorable tonight
One of them is gonna be ruled a lateral , and get scooped by KC
McDaniel calling plays as if Mke White is at QB
Another fail by our star Hill
Another fail by the offense that has nothing to do with injuries
Bad penalty by Wilson
False start by Hill
Bobble of a clean snap by tua
Difference in the game. Mahomes making plays on 3rd down. Tua not
That’s what an elite QB can do
Defense has been pretty great considering
Yep. They are holding up best they can.
Really lucky to only be down 9 considering we really only have one play on offense.
The problem with this offense is we can not drive down the field without the big play.
I talked about this the other day. If a team takes away our big plays, we cannot consistently drive the field playing small ball. We’ve been terrible at it all year.
Yep. Guaranteed a mistake or pen to kill a drive
We need to back to running North to South instead of dumb short E-W passes that KC gobble up. Andy Stalactite outcoaching MM
Another big game, another game our offense just isn’t getting it done.
2nd and inches is not sure thing…wtf?
Chiefs just need to keep playing against the big play and we’ll end up killing our own drives,
Someone mentioned it…our star players, Hill and Tus, not getting it done. Tua only knows his security blanket…
Coming out to start the third will be telling. What are they made of?
Nothing
^
This offense just isn’t very good. We cannot sustain drives
17.7 against winning teams. We’re on pace for around that or less again.
Once KC goes up 3 scores, we’ll get a cheap score or two.
We are good against shitty teams. When we play good teams we get out coached and out played