The run begins! The Dolphins successfully staved off elimination by defeating the Rams in Los Angeles in their best effort of the season, 23-15. Let’s face it, and this is not hyperbole, every week now is an elimination game. At 3-6, we can probably afford 2-3 more losses, depending on how things shake out in the AFC. A 9-8 record may make it, or it might take a 10-7 mark to get in. If it’s the latter, that leaves us only one loss left, and despite the fact that we’re playing two easier marks in the Raiders and the Patriots, we have no room for error and cannot be caught looking ahead. Let’s face it, we haven’t been anything close to resembling the powerful, explosive offense we had last season in which we were averaging 29.2 PPG. It’s closer to half that at 16.3 PPG this season. WR’s Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle have been so under used, they’re basically decoys running around all game. Last season after 9 games, WR Tyreek Hill had 69 receptions for 1014 yards and 8 TD’s. This season, Tyreek Hill has 37 receptions for 462 yards and 2 TD’s. Jaylen Waddle had 40 receptions for 522 yards with 3 TD’s and he missed the Denver game outright, so only 8 games played. This season, Waddle has 31 receptions for 367 and 1 TD. No doubt Hill has the larger drop off, mostly due to Waddle not getting as much action due to the nearly historic season by his teammate WR Tyreek Hill, who was trying to have a 2000 yard receiving season.
So why have Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle been shut down this season? I wish it was easy to say it was only the games that QB Tua Tagovailoa missed, but that’s not even remotely accurate. The Dolphins have been running the ball more than we did last season, and they’ve had some success doing that. Honestly, I don’t mind us being more of a rushing offensive team, I think that when it comes down to playing against better competition in big games, and for us, that means every week, you need to control the line of scrimmage and run the ball effectively. The better teams, along with the cold weather tend to neutralize the aerial attacks, so I like that we can run the ball. Oddly enough, we faced the Rams last week and struggled to run well, but the defense was the hero of the day, led by the return of key players on the defense like DT Zach Sieler, S Jevon Holland and CB Kader Kohou. The defense was excellent, they didn’t allow one trip to the endzone, to a Rams offense loaded with all their WR’s like Puka Nacua, Cooper Kupp and their excellent RB Kyren Williams. Also keep in mind the Rams were on a 3 game win streak and were playing very well, especially after getting their two top receivers back the last couple of weeks in Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. The defense really did an outstanding job Sunday and carried the day.
So we got one game out of the way, and we need to keep checking them off one by one, never looking ahead any further than the game at hand. This week we host the Las Vegas Raiders who at 2-7 are nearly eliminated from the playoffs. One bright spot for the Raiders is 1st RD pick (#13) TE Brock Bowers who is having a phenomenal rookie campaign. Bowers already has 57 receptions for 580 yards and 2 TD’s. The Raiders are clearly looking to the future as they traded away WR Davante Adams who was just languishing this season and was miserable with very little production. Former Patriots WR Jakobi Meyers is having a nice season, and of course on defense, DE Maxx Crosby continues to rack up QB sacks, and has 6.5 this season. This would have been the week to see our old friend DT Christian Wilkins again, and I suppose we will see him, but he won’t be playing as he’s on IR, potentially for the entire season after a Jones fracture of his left foot. I’ll say this, 39 year old DE Calais Campbell has done his share and more to help fans get over the loss of Christian Wilkins here in Miami. Unfortunately, Calais has made it clear this is his final season, so we have some work to do!
If I told you before the season that De’Von Achane would be leading the Dolphins in rushing yards, many of us probably wouldn’t scoff at that. If I told you he’d have nearly twice the amount of rushing attempts than any other RB on the roster, 105-55, that you would probably laugh at. The guy who had so much difficulty staying on the field has become close to a workhorse back, but his YPC average has shrunk tremendously, going from an outrageous high of 7.8 yards per carry to a meh 4.4 yards per carry. I admit I find it odd that Achane is the primary back, especially with a very capable RB in rookie 4th RD pick Jaylen Wright and veteran Raheem Mostert available, although in Mostert’s case, he’s been injured occasionally. Wright however, has been healthy all along, but seldom used. Let me just get it out there, we see RB’s all over the NFL, rookies that were drafted, undrafted rookies, have success everywhere, and get tons of carries all over the NFL, but somehow in our offense, we can’t make it happen. I’m sure some will say it’s due to the over complicated offensive scheme. Let me say this, if you’re going to run an overly complicated offensive scheme, you better get better at teaching it because players get hurt all the time, and Achane already has a history in his short career, and Mostert even more so, so you better make sure Jaylen Wright understands all his responsibilities before the end of the season, because he may be the best guy standing!
So here we go, Game 2 on the MUST WIN parade of 9 games in which we practically have no room for error. We’re home, but unlike the majority of seasons, we’re struggling at home at Hard Rock Stadium and are 1-3. We have to do better, we have to win at home and on the road, but when you’re home, you should be at your best. I don’t mind being better on the road, that could work for us if somehow we earn a playoff berth, but there are no excuses at home, no crowd noise interference or cold weather. Good news is Zach Sieler is back, along with Jevon Holland and Kader Kohou. Bad news is starting CB Kendall Fuller is OUT with a concussion, his second of the season. LG Robert Jones is QUESTIONABLE, and if you didn’t know, LG Isaiah Wynn is practicing, but unlikely to be ready this week. He has been designated for return, so his 21 day window is open, but not yet determined if he will be on the roster, much like S Patrick McMorris, who by the way is in FULL participation in practice, which is also good news. If neither Isaiah Wynn or Robert Jones are able to go, OG Lester Cotton will get the nod. He had mixed results last week, more negative than positive unfortunately. We also learned earlier this week that RT Austin Jackson is done for the season, so Kendall Lamm will go at RT for now, while rookie 2nd string LT Patrick Paul sits at the ready for now. ILB David Long was released, as his replacement the last couple of games Anthony Walker has flourished. It’s surprising to cut a team captain, but results are imperative at this point, and kudos to Weaver, Grier and MM for making a tough choice. Let’s hope the LG and RT positions don’t haunt us, and we make it through for yet another elimination game vanquished!
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
stangerx
says:
November 19, 2024 at 4:37 pm
A 2.5 second release can cover up a lot of problems on an O-line. But doesn’t seem to be what is happening.
————-
I DO concur. Can’t put my finger on just exactly why our Offense isn’t clicking as it had last season. I mean, even if an opposing Defense is constantly playing with 2-high Safeties, we should be hitting underneath routes for huge YAC… it’s not happening, at least not yet.
Thing that kills me? Our YPC in the running game is abysmal this season vs last season. That tells me — coupled with our lack of big time passing gains — that our O-Line isn’t nearly as nice as it was last season. JMO, as always.
We downgraded at safety and didn’t address the OG positions. Both those issues seem to be hurting us the most.
Damn straight, my guy! This is the TRUTH.
I’m truly trying my best to call the balls and strikes as unbiased as possible when it comes to Chris Grier. As Steve has noted (very intelligently, I might add), this is a new Defensive system under new DC Anthony Weaver. And by the way, this is our 3rd new DC in 3 seasons under Coach McD.
Perhaps AVG, Elliott, and Brandon Jones weren’t ideal for the Weaver system. I would, however, argue till my face was blue that Brandon Jones (and his success in Pittsburgh) would have been a PERFECT fit for a Weaver-led (AFC North-style) Defense.
Reminder: I’m giving Grier a HUGE win for Aaron Brewer over Connor Williams!
*DeShon Elliot
https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/E/ElliDe02.htm
And OH SHIT… yeah, Anthony Weaver worked with DeShon Elliott in Baltimore.
Even when the yets suck I have to hear about them constantly on TV.
Same! What’s up with that, man?!!
says:
November 19, 2024 at 6:24 pm
Lol…is there a pun in there?
————-
Hulk have sense of humor
Thought so…lol
LAC plays Bal, Atl, and KC the next 3, not a stretch to see them at 8-5 in 3 weeks, if they beat Bal, that would give Bal 5 losses
LAC still has to play Den in 4 weeks, one of them should have at least 6 losses, after their game
just win baby and things will take care of themselves
We aren’t likely to win the next 4, but things will line up for us, if stranger things happen
Bal still has to play LAC, PHI, PIT and HOU
they could win all 4, but if they falter…
Interesting
https://x.com/FinsXtra/status/1859019027076862450
Colin Cowherd ranks the Miami Dolphins as the 10th best team in the NFL: “Miami is 4-6, I don’t care… this is a top 10 team right now. I wouldn’t want to play them.” (
@TheHerd) #GoFins
Not making the mental mistakes now, it goes a long ways towards winning, especially in close games
Seemed to have figured out the 2 high look
Hill getting involved closer to LOS
Ball control O helps the D stay off the field and is more likely to pick up important 3rd downs, which is key to winning late in games, season and playoffs
We are doomed
Lol
For the “Curmudgeons”
Chris Kouffman
Tua has more letters in his full name (33) than incomplete passes (29) in the four games he’s played since coming back from Injured Reserve.
The Detroit Lions signed David Long Jr. to their practice squad on Monday.
https://bleacherreport.com/videos/610059-nfl-bird-teams-gridiron-heights
Forecast shows that it is going to be about 29-30 degrees at the start of the game on Thanksgiving in GB.
Yep. It’s been “nice” here so of course it starts getting cold for the game!
Hopefully it snows.
@_MLFootball
THIS IS AWESOME: Former NFL QB Teddy Bridgewater, now head coach of his alma mater, Miami Northwestern, led his top-seeded squad to a dominant 69-0 win in their first Florida 3A playoff game.
Bridgewater retired from the NFL to coach, and is now changing these young kids lives.
“Former Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Richmond Webb reached the semifinalist stage of the Pro Football Hall of Fame voting process for the first time and is one of 25 remaining candidates for the Class of 2025.”
Wes Welker didn’t make the cut.
“When Jonnu Smith caught a 1-yard touchdown pass from Tua Tagovailoa in the first quarter of Sunday’s game against the Las Vegas Raiders, he hurled the ball into the stands as many players do after scoring.” — Jonnu wasn’t trying to make it happen, but his son caught it.
I’m not sure why it took 2 months, but we have changed the way we’re throwing the ball. Next phase is to see how defenses respond to us taking more underneath stuff. We’ve pulled them up a couple times, but so far teams are still content to play an umbrella defense.
@schadjoe
Raheem Mostert (hip) full participant on injury report Isaiah Wynn (quad/knee), Alec Ingold (calf), Jalen Ramsey (knee), Tyreek Hill (wrist) limited
Kendall Fuller (concussion), Terron Armstead (knee) DNP
Armstead on the injury report. No way
😱🤯
Randy says:
November 20, 2024 at 7:35 pm
I’m not sure why it took 2 months, but we have changed the way we’re throwing the ball. Next phase is to see how defenses respond to us taking more underneath stuff. We’ve pulled them up a couple times, but so far teams are still content to play an umbrella defense.
—————
Exactly! Not sure why it took 2 months, either.
Know what really perplexes me, man? How our YPC in the running game is so abysmal this season when opposing Defenses are constantly playing 2-high Safeties against us. I understand not getting those 30+ yard runs this season what with 2-high Safeties, but we can’t seem to get last season’s YPC between the sticks.
IMO, we’ve got to take more shots down the field (lets say 15-20 yards, underneath the 2-high Safeties) to loosen up 8 in-the-box against our running game… and I think that’s what we’ve begun to do. Yet, our running game still sucks compared to last season.
I cannot help but think our Guards of this season (Jones and Eich) just aren’t nearly as good as our Guards of last season (Wynn/co and Hunt).
What do YOU think Randy? There are no wrong answers… just wondering your thoughts on the matter, man.
And as ALWAYS, everybody is invited to opine on this.
This game was the Benito Jones I saw playing for Detroit last year.
Maybe, or it could just be the matchup he had
1 game id say it’s a matchup, multiple games I’d say the light came on
M13,
MM and Grier made a decision to look past the guard position and focus on other positions. They built this team. Now, it’s on them to make it work given the choices they made. If you go weak on the guys who drive your protection and running game, then you should know you have to get the ball out quick and you’ll probably struggle in the run game. They built a certain offense. We’re seeing if they can be successful with it.
before MM was signed our O was pretty much like it is now, the difference is Tua is a better QB
when drafted we expected him to be a short pass Brady like QB, pretty much what he’s been compared to now
after having the high flying Os of the past 2 years, it makes trying to stop the short stuff harder, because we still can go deep
Tua has thrown 7tds and 1 int, since returning, Brady like stats, I think he’s more comfortable throwing less risky short passes
Our defense is 7th against the pass, 9th against the run and 15th in scoring. Solid first season for Anthony Weaver.
fake numbers, a lot of that took place in games when Tua was out and our opponents didn’t have to score much
It’s still the NFL.
Anthony Weaver has the potential to land a HCing job next season, as an NFL.com article stated yesterday. Can’t shake the feeling that we just might have to find our 4th DC in 4 years under Coach McD.
Herd, you enjoying your November snow?
No. Just no. 🥶
You have snow before I do ?? WTF. And woohoo 😎
Randy
says:
November 21, 2024 at 3:14 pm
M13,
MM and Grier made a decision to look past the guard position and focus on other positions. They built this team. Now, it’s on them to make it work given the choices they made. If you go weak on the guys who drive your protection and running game, then you should know you have to get the ball out quick and you’ll probably struggle in the run game. They built a certain offense. We’re seeing if they can be successful with it.
————-
Looking back since Tua has returned, the Offense actually looks fairly good: we’re a top-10 Offense over the stretch (not to be confused with a top-10 Offense for the season). The gaudy, bombastic stats of last season aren’t there (ie: ‘Reek on pace for 2K yards, or Achane getting like 7.5 YPC), but the play-calling has changed as such to maintain longer, scoring drives (again, just since Tua came back from concussion).
The inside runs are outnumbering the outside runs suddenly and we remain committed to the running game… this is all good(!), but it’s KILLING ME that we didn’t try to upgrade the O-Line this past offseason (Patrick Paul was a great pick, but that’s not a technical ‘upgrade’, rather the future replacement for T-Stead… which was warranted).
I suppose I’m liking what I’ve been seeing since Tua returned, but will this Offense be able to beat a top-5 Defense? I dunno, guess that’s what we’re all waiting to see. At least there’s some hope right now!
I do believe our Defense is playing pretty well considering a new DC, new faces, and those blasted injuries. This team just might go somewhere this season yet, so long as we play smarter with play-calling, not harder in trying to force round pegs in a square hole.
Thanks for your feedback, Brother. I think we’re more or less on the same page, just with different frames of reference (which is great!). We shall see if we can salvage this season now…
FinsUp!!!
Your optimism is inspiring… 😀
PHINS UP!!!
HELL YEAH!!!
Watching the Stealers* at the Brownies. Classic SMASHMOUTH football in the cold with snow flurries.
I’ve got serious doubts we could beat the 2-8 Brownies in Cleveland right now (Brownies are up 10-3 on the Stealers* at the half). It’s not that we haven’t the talent, it’s that we aren’t built to beat a SMASHMOUTH football team… nevermind the cold weather factor.
We’re built akin to a fast-break NBA team who can’t control the paint. IMO, we’ve GOT to get better in the trenches, both sides of the ball.
Wondering aloud…
Brian Flores is a very polarizing figure for us Phin fans and understandably so. Understand that Flores is the #1 reason that Minkah Fitzpatrick requested a trade. In exchange, we got R1P18 in the 2020 Draft, which we used on Austin Jackson.
Do we wish we still had Minkah Fitzpatrick on our team, or are we good with Austin Jackson instead? Whatever your answer may be, Brian Flores is the reason why.
IYDKA… Minkah is now a 3x ALL PRO.
I don’t want any player that whines and doesn’t want to to be here
WOW! Jameis Winston is flourishing in the snow this evening!!!
Join me in wishing Butt Fumble a happy 12th birthday.
Here is my wish: The Jets draft Sheddur Sanders and hire Deon as HC
Tim Knight
says:
November 21, 2024 at 5:19 pm (Edit)
Our defense is 7th against the pass, 9th against the run and 15th in scoring. Solid first season for Anthony Weaver.
—————————
The numbers look good but the film doesn’t. Our defense sucks. It crumbles any time it needs to make a stand. It doesn’t get consistent pressure and doesn’t create turnovers. It single handedly kept the Raiders in the game last week and the Raiders have a terrible offense
I was going to say look at the SOS, 7th easiest. The 2 best teams we faces the defense folded where it mattered.
lots of times when stats can be skewed:
low scoring games, when our O sucked
late in games, before the half…
What can you do with the game on the line, is what sets apart the teams
KC fans are awesome!
NFL Issues Security Alert to Teams amid Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce Home Burglaries
Well, if we lose Anthony Weaver to an HC position in 2025, we will get a 3rd round comp in 2026.
NEW BLOG UP!!!!