Wow, Monday Night Football! What a marquis matchup we have here! The 0-3 Tennessee Titans come in to Miami to Hard Rock Stadium to face off against the last place 1-2 Miami Dolphins! It certainly looks bad, this is not what the NFL wants of course, but maybe it is. Maybe this is the game that catapults a team that looked like they were ruined to a successful season, while the other one falls further into a hole extremely difficult to climb out of. Neither team has played well, but while the expectations for the Tennessee Titans were modest, expected to be a sub .500 club (6-11, 7-10), the Dolphins, depending on what site you visited, were expected to compete for the AFC East crown with the Jets and Bills with 10-7 or 11-6 record. Every week is a must win the NFL, but if the Dolphins are truly to be a playoff contender, this win carries an awful lot of weight. It’s not a division game, but it is a conference game, and the Dolphins are 1-1 against the AFC with a W against the Jags, and a loss against the Bills.
In my last article I told you that things will shift, and I do still believe that. While I also feel we fell short of building the trenches properly, this team has far too much talent at the skill positions to be scoring only 11.0 points per game. Of course, the catalyst, QB Tua Tagovailoa is OUT, and will remain OUT until at least Week 8, but Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane, Jonnu Smith, Jaylen Wright and Raheem Mostert (if healthy), should be enough to score more than 11 points, regardless of who is playing QB. So who will be the QB against the Titans for the Dolphins? Skylar Thompson is injured, and by the Gods, he was putrid after having a long week from Friday to the following Sunday, in addition to having 2 years to fully digest this offense. He looked lost out there, confused, hesitant, unsure, inaccurate, indecisive, and just so disappointing. He can no longer be considered the backup or have any future aspirations of being the starting QB of this team. That leaves Tim Boyle, who at the very least looked like an NFL QB that belonged on the field, or Tyler Huntley who has had little time to digest the playbook after being signed from the Baltimore Ravens practice squad on 9/17. Huntley is a better athlete and his legs give him a dual threat, although he’s no Lamar Jackson. No matter who starts on Monday Night Football, they have to threaten the defense down the field.
There are quite a few players listed as questionable for this MNF matchup.
CB Kendall Fuller (concussion)
OT Terron Armstead (concussion)
WR Malik Washington (quad)
RB Raheem Mostert (chest)
CB Siran Neal (?)
FB Alec Ingold (?)
QB Skylar Thompson (ribs)
LB David Long (hamstring)
OT Kendall Lamm played well enough in T-Stead’s place, but it would sure be nice to see the rookie Patrick Paul get some reps so we know that’s one less spot we have to draft for next season. We spent a 4th RD pick on RB Jaylen Wright (5’10 210) from Tennessee, acquired by trading our 2025 3rd RD pick. Is it possible we can make that trade look good by actually using the guy? 7 carries in 3 games, while we wear out 5’9 190 LB RB De’Von Achane with 43 carries for 150 yards (3.5 YPC), along with 17 receptions for 173 yards. 60 touches in 3 games seems like a lot for smallish back who had lots of trouble staying on the field last season, missing 6 games. When he was used sparingly, 103 carries for the season, he averaged over 7.8 YPC. That’s a huge difference. I understand Raheem Mostert is OUT, but isn’t that why you drafted Jaylen Wright in the first place? All over the NFL I see rookie RB’s tearing it up, and YES, I’m aware Achane did just that last season, but we also saw what happened when you use him a lot, he breaks down. Let’s get Jaylen Wright some more work, shall we?
The defense has had its ups and downs. They spotted Seattle 17 first quarter points before buckling down. For the most part, the defense feeds off the offense, and if that’s the case, the defense must be starving, because this offense has sucked since the first snap of the season. Despite moving the ball against Jacksonville, we scored only a TD in the first half, and then in the second half, just a TD and 2 FG’s, one as time expired for the W. Against the Bills, with Tua as the QB, we scored 10 first half points, but also turned the ball over 3 times, (3 INT’s). Against Seattle, it was worse, much worse. We managed only a FG in Seattle, where instead of the 12th man, it seemed like 12 million. We need to score some points against the Titans on MNF, it’s as simple as that. The Titans defense is right around our defense, a couple of notches worse, allowing 26 PPG, while our defense is at 24 PPG.
Head Coach Mike McDaniel has uncharacteristically taken a lot of heat early on in this season. Who could have thought it possible thought after scoring 496 points (29.2 PPG) that fans would be calling for Mike McDaniel’s head after 3 games? I think it’s crazy myself, it’s just too early, and as we all know painfully well Dolphins fans, it ain’t how you start, it’s how you finish! How many seasons have we gone through that? While Rock is still 100% correct that all the games count, if we finish strong and end up 10-7, or 11-6, and we’re playing well, not a soul will care about our 1-2 start. It’s time to set things right, and there is no question there is a lot of pressure on this team to perform better. Not sure if Skylar Thompson will be healthy enough to suit up as the 2nd or 3rd QB, I’d prefer someone lose his uniform. In any case, the way the NFL has been churning through QB’s, we might need 3 on Monday night. I would also tend to think whomever starts will not have a long leash if the offense is stagnant. Whether it’s QB Tyler Huntley or QB Tim Boyle, they’re going to have to earn the right to stay on the field.
Have I brought up the fact that we gave both of our top WR’S really nice extensions before the season started? YEAH! We gave Tyreek Hill a 3YR/$90M extension, and Jaylen Waddle got a 3 YR/$84.75M extension! Hey, did I mention what type of production we’ve received from these 2 players?
Tyreek Hill – 3 games – 7 catches, 130 yards, 1 TD / 1 rush, 12 yards
Jaylen Waddle – 3 games – 13 receptions, 176 yards, 0 TD’s /. 2 rushes, 7 yards
That’s right folks, last season, these were stats for 1 game, and not necessarily a great game either. It’s painful, and yes, it is an indictment on Mike McDaniel at just how ineffective this offense has been. He has to turn it around, no matter who the QB is. We can’t continue to be this poor, and still utter the phrase “offensive genius”. I for one am not carrying a pitchfork ready to storm Miami Gardens FL and try to get our Head Coach fired. I mentioned last week that the Baltimore Ravens are 1-2 as well, and QB Lamar Jackson has played all 3 games. Granted, the Ravens have scored 71 points, more palatable than our 33. The LA Rams are also 1-2, and they were supposed to also be a contender. What I’m saying is it’s still early, we win this game, even win ugly, and then we move on to the next one, but we have to come away with the “W” at home, knowing well that our schedule just gets more difficult when we come back from the BYE, whether Tua is our QB at that juncture or not. My feeling is that he will be, no one should be making this decision other than #1, QB Tua, along with his wife and family. In spite of that, the optics can never be good for this team, especially if he goes down again.
Not to say “I told you so”, but I did. His health will be our problem until he miraculously gets past them or he decides to retire. Due to the money in the contract, unless he gets hurt again, or even whether he doesn’t play another down for us this season, the future cap ramifications will haunt us unless he retires. The public relations nightmare, that we’re throwing him out to the slaughter will also be there as long as he’s on this team. It’s not a pretty picture for us, or him for that matter. I believe, ultimately the blame will be on the Miami Dolphins if Tua plays again and is concussed again. I hope for both his sake and the team’s sake that after that hit, he does the prudent thing for the rest of his life and retires, and enjoys his life with his family. Let’s not forget he’s already earned $73M. That’s a helluva lot more than any of us stiffs who root for him, and I think he might be able to just scrape by if he never plays again, but once again, that’s up to Tua.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
The early start is nice except we’ll probably get Reddick as the announcer. Oh I can’t stand him and no option for the Manning’s either. I always choose the Manning’s over Buck and Aikman but Reddick is the worst. Nobody ever makes a good play it’s always condemnation to somebody. It makes me nuts.
he is an arrogant ass
Mets vs Braves pregame must’ve gone something like this, let’s agree to split, so we both get in😜
hoping for the best! Gotta be creative in the run game
@MySportsUpdate
#Dolphins RB Jeff Wilson Jr. suffered a knee injury in pregame warmups and is now questionable for tonight’s game vs. the Tennessee Titans.
That guy injures himself getting out of bed
Feeling kind of green
DOLPHINS
I have laundry in. Small load. I’m not going out of my way or anything. I was out of town last week and emptied my luggage. Just as easy to throw in the washer as put in the hamper 🤣
Let’s Go Dolphins!
See you do care ❤️
So, you don’t want to give your new QB as many series/reps as possible? Why the hell give up the toss?
GO PHINS!!!
HELL YEAH!!!
Well, somehow, the comments I posted about 2 minutes ago failed to show up on the screen. What I said was it’s kickoff time and the stadium seems about 80% empty. Don Shula would turn over in his grave at this utter lack of respect for this once great franchise!!
What Steve Ross’s front office has done to this franchise is unbelievable. Sadly, all the empty seats speak louder than words!!
Did you all see that turnover on the backward pass? Guess Fins unaware that constitutes a fumble!! How pathetic!!
That was a B S roughing call
can’t hit the QB low. That’s the rule. It was the right call.
He was pulled down
then he kept going . That’s a penalty all day every day.
We are so soft.
Ogbah is our best cover guy
let’s go!
OMFG! I’m dying here. The Will Levis Mayonnaise commercial. Can’t Breath.
OD! What are your feelings on Joe Robbie?
Joe had a rough start. But he was smart enough to hire Don Shula. It resulted in several Super Bowl appearances, including the one and ONLY perfect season!!
here we go
F’n Tyreek
just give it right back. This team just fucking sucks
what happened to Tyreke hands
maybe the handcuffs affected him.
Too busy counting all his money
smh
RIP Pete Rose. 😢
my friend, “I don’t think so buddy”
They will convert this
I like being wrrrr wrrrrr wrrrrrrr, Not exactly correct some times too…
😂😂
I hate Chris Fowler
ditto
Shocked they punted
with Levi’s they easily could’ve picked it up
no one near him and Berrios fair catches, per usual
I live 8 miles off the coast
This team is so unwatchable, they make me wanna get in my car and drive 10 miles east
I’m depressingly down on this team. Right now I can only see everything they are doing wrong.
If they did something right I am guessing you would have noticed
The defense isn’t terrible right now. But we’ve seen this movie before. The flood gates will open at some point.
we stink when a backup comes in
at QB for our opponent
Only getting uglier.
You expect it with a guy like Huntley, but when your stars are screwing up too 🤷♂️
I’ve never baled on a game @ HT before the last one. Said I wouldn’t get out of bed for this one either. So glad I did. Wonder if we’ll score tonight?
I was just wondering if anyone would.
Titans look most likely Herd
All the pieces are falling into place.
Laura Rutledge is so hot…..what was I saying? Where am I?
😂
what’s our secondary doing
Nothing. Literally
We are getting a lot of pressure….
I’ll see myself out.
What a great, inspiring quarter that was
it’s mind boggling how bad we are on offense.
Mike – thanks for the on-going output of articles – I always read even if I don’t comment. Just putting my ‘Rock editor’s hat on – in English, Marquis is a title and Marquee is a match-up. American English may be different? Feel guilty being so pedantic 😔
QUACK! Rumble rumble
exactly Cav. Our “stars” haven’t done shit.
How come every kicker we face seems to make 50+ yard fgs against us all the time?
because they do?
I was going to say the same exact thing
KONG, you are right. Steve Ross needs to cash-in his huge profits and sell the team to a NON-New Yorker (preferably). Miami’s biggest need is a NEW OWNER!!
TH drops balls like he drops baby mamas…sorry…lol
man , Hill got absolutely pancaked on that play
You take it! No! YOU take it!
Miami to Tenn and Tenn back
more giving away field position
Knew that was going to happen
ICYMI: after week 3 was in the books, we were the #32 scoring Offense in the NFL… and that was WITH Tua being our QB for roughly 1.5 games out of 3.
Don’t care..lol
hahahahahahahaha! This fucking offense sucks so bad . I hope we lose every fucking game for the rest of the season so we can draft a QB.
Soooooooooo
Who would like to see Grier fired LAST year now?
🙋♂️
I was yelling punt at my TV. It didn’t listen
Terrible 4th down call! Imo
^
Looking on the bright side the game is going fast
Ross to MM after Tua’s latest concussion:
So, coach, I think I’m going to give you a raise and an extension. How do you feel about tanking, but like the RIGHT way?
I may actually start looking for my pitchfork. This is just unacceptably ugly
UK, I’ll do you one better, I’m bailing right now. I pay however many hundreds of $$$ for the ticket, and I can’t watch my own team tonight because it’s only on ESPN which I don’t subscribe to.
So I’m illegal streaming it, and it keeps freezing. So for the past 45 minutes, I’m getting frustrated trying to keep my stream going while watching this garbage.
It just occurred to me, I’d rather watch something else than deal with this, so I am outta here, lol.
Come back to Platinum Cav! On second thoughts ……… good call 🤣 🤣 🤣
mm has no idea how to call a low scoring game
nope. I’ve actually been really down on him as a HC since late last year.
Dolphins making Tyjae Spears look like King Henry
silver lining: I have him on my FF team
👍
Can’t run the ball like we did last year. Why? We lost Connor Williams, Robert Hunt, and Isaiah Wynn still isn’t back from injury. AND, for whatever reason, Austin Jackson has severely regressed this year. Maybe Hunt was the reason Jackson ate in the past.
Oh… and T-Stead is not healthy (again or still?).
This O-Line fuckin’ BLOWS.
Our 11.1th man < Seattle’s 12th man
And Jaelen Phillips seems to have suffered an injury of sorts.
Another 50+ yard fg
holding em to fgs is usually a good thing
officials keeping us in the game
Paul in
Did we activate ‘penalties’ from the PS. Our most productive O contributor
I’m don”t get the play calls
i do get that play call!
horrible throw but I’m glad he threw it
too fast…play behind
what is this split screen bs
Bullshit is what it is
This is grim as fuck.
Glad we scored…it doesn’t look pretty
I like the emphasis on the run game. The execution has not been exceptional but I think we have the right game plan.
yes. That’s because our OL sucks
Agreed
unlikely run by Huntley for a 1st they say, that’s the only thing they’ve done I expected
This is painful. My doctor said I’m not supposed to do things that make me feel bad. I’m torn.
we have 16 points in the last 10 quarters
8 quarters
Is that good? Asking for a friend
tell him it’s atrocious
that many
sorry, my math was off. 16 in 10 quarters , 6 in the last 8
MM created an O only Tua can run, then can’t figure out why we struggle without him
Genius move for an oft injured QB
Pili and Jones chasing Pollard 🤣 🤣 🤣
OMG someone made a play (see my avatar🤪)
Huntley missed that . That was a TD
he did but it was still catchable
Huntley’s accuracy is not all that
that’s the knock on him
this dumbass better not run here before 2 min
singing hills praises after he drops a pass wasnt on my bingo card
What the hell was that? You burn a TO for that? OMG
he’s one of the worst game mangers in the NFL
Don’t know why there are calls to stop 2-deep safeties – timeouts should be outlawed
Huntley was confused and let the play clock run down
Just a screen pass here. Nothing more
Hill touched the ball. You guys told me that’s a certain catch. Hill’s fault! 🤫
Right call
the dolphins have 70 yards of offense
Wow. Didn’t think it was that much. 🤦🏼♀️
Mike McDaniel just has to do better than this. No excuses! We’re just about the worst offense ever with two pro bowl WR’s and a very talented RB in Achane
100%
We just don’t a QB that can get them the ball
well then Grier should be fired tomorrow. Many other teams have backups that can keep them competitive and win games. If he didn’t figure that part out with a QB who is injured often then he needs to go.
Is there a reason we signed Jonnu Smith? I mean, if we aren’t even going to target him, is he just here to soak up the sun in Miami?
to give you an idea of how bad the offense is in this game, I have Hill, Achane, Ridley and Spears going for my FF team and they have 11.5 points combined in the first half.
MikeE,
He even looks bamboozled on the side line!
M – it drives me effing crazy that we can’t get Jonnu the ball, or even get him in the game
Thank you! At least I’m not alone, bud.
It’s the QB position. Come on, we’re all watching it both sides.
Why the hell did he jump in there
Implosion
We are piss poor
cut Duke now, wtf 2 weeks in a riw
pretty shitty call cut Duke anyways
Wasn’t Riley down with the ball and then touched down?
I guess not
we got so lucky
Not convinced it matters. 😂
😂
Wrong direction by Hill
WTF?!?!?!