The run must continue! The Dolphins were able to stay alive this past Sunday defeating the visiting Las Vegas Raiders, 34-19. Currently sitting at 4-6, the Dolphins still have plenty of work to do to be considered a legitimate playoff contender, but we’re in ONE-WEEK-AT-A-TIME mode here. No reason to think ahead, just concentrate at the task ahead of you each week. This week our division rival New England Patriots come to Hard Rock and the Dolphins are a TD plus favorite. If last night’s gane is a wake up call to not look past ANY opponent, the red hot Pittsburgh Steelers, the previously 8-2 Steelers, were riding a 5 game win streak, and played in a snowstorm in Cleveland which is something the Steelers are quite comfortable playing in, but the Browns came to play and ended the 5 game win streak and dropped the Steelers 24-19. That could happen if the Dolphins aren’t prepared. A loss to the Patriots this weekend would likely be the death knell for the 2024 Dolphins season. We have no margin for error, especially playing at home, in a game we’re favored by a TD. You lose to Green Bay on Thanksgiving late in the evening in likely frigid Green Bay, that’s one thing, and that loss would also very much damage our chances. We’ve put ourselves in a position where just can’t afford to lose more than 1 game, so this Sunday just can’t be that one.
The Dolphins have been playing better on both sides of the ball, and the offense has been humming, despite having any kind of deep passing attack with 2 speedy WR’s in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. The good news is we have finally started to use the TE as a receiver, and when we picked up TE Jonnu Smith, I was excited to finally have a receiving TE. It took a while to make him part of the passing game, but he truly is a weapon, and he’s getting more and more action each game. The run game has been keeping opposing defenses honest, but it hasn’t been great lately. The “bellcow” back has been De’Von Achane, and his dropoff in YPC is the first thing you notice. Last year Achane averaged 7.8 YPC, but with much higher usage and many more carries, Achane has managed only 4.3 YPC. He has done a lot of damage in the passing game though, and Achane leads the Dolphins with 46 receptions for 349 yards. This is all part of the Mike McDaniel offense that is taking what is given to them by opposing defenses, who continue to play the umbrella defense, 2 high safeties protecting against the deep ball. Tua has remained patient, hasn’t forced the ball at all, and we’ve been better for it. QB Tua Tagovailoa has completed 73% of his passes for 1443 yards, 9 TD’s and 4 INT’s. Considering he started the season with 2 TD’s and 3 INT’s after game 2, he’s thrown only 1 INT in the last 4 games against 7 TD’s. Ball security however, has been a concern for Tua with 5 fumbles, one very important one lost, the Arizona Cardinals “Fest” game which many of us here saw in person.
QB Tua Tagovailoa has a perfect 6-0 record against the Patriots, with and without Bill Belichick. He’s going to need to keep that going this week. The Patriots offense has been struggling, but it does appear that the Patriots have found their QB in 2024 1st RD pick (#3 overall), Drake Maye. So far in his rookie campaign, Maye has completed 126 of 189 pass attempts (66.7%) for 1236 yards, 9 TD’s and 6 INT’s. Besides RB Rhamondre Stevenson, this Patriots offense hasn’t much to look at. TE Hunter Henry leads the Patriots in receptions with 46 for 491 yards and 1 TD, and he is the most targeted receiver. WR’s Demario Douglas and Kendrick Bourne have had quiet seasons. There’s a reason why this Dolphins team, who has no business being a TD favorite any week, will be this Sunday. That being said, Mike McDaniel has to have his team ready for anything, and they need to take this game seriously and put this team away.
While the bizarre season’s continue for WR’s Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, they have been a little more involved in the passing game in the last couple of weeks. Despite that, neither receiver has yet to crack 500 yards, which is crazy considering Tyreek Hill was on pace for 2000 last year. There’s a good chance that these 2 receivers combined won’t crack 2000, but the stats don’t matter, winning is ALL that matters, and this team has a lot of winning to do the next 7 weeks! RB Raheem Mostert has struggled to hold onto the football and that has elevated the carries that RB De’Von Achane gets. Mostert and rookie Jaylen Wright each have less than half the carries Achane has (Mostert 58), (Wright 52) whole Achane has 122 carries. Wright, in particular, has been stymied as of late, but to be fair, he’s getting one or two carries a drive, and it’s hard for RB’s to get into a rhythm like that. One important factor is FB Alec Ingold has been OUT, and he’s trying his best to play this weekend. When Ingold is in there as a lead blocker, the run game is much better. TE Julian Hill has been getting lots of blocking assignments with mixed results. We definitely miss Ingold.
On defense, rookie OLB Chop Robinson has been lining up wide to give him more space between himself and the tackle and it has paid dividends. His quick burst forces the tackle to commit one way or the other from a distance and this has allowed Chop to change his path. When he was lined up closer to the tackle, far too often he got engulfed. DE Zach Sieler has been awesome since returning from his eye injury. ILB Anthony Walker has made a difference replacing ILB David Long. RB Rhamondre Stevenson is a load and will be a good test for our defense. He’s a physical runner that goes strictly north/south, but a difficult guy to bring down, especially when he has a head of steam. ILB Anthony Walker will probably be covering TE Hunter Henry a good part of the day, but we need to tackle well on Sunday. The defense is currently 15th in the NFL in points allowed at 22.1, but you can see how much better this defense is with DE Zach Sieler back. Sieler and DE Calais Campbell have been awesome, they make this defense go. Major props to OLB/DE Emmanuel Ogbah who is right behind Siler and Campbell in QB hits, Sieler has 8, Campbell 7 and Ogbah 6. Campbell has 4 sacks and leads the Dolphins followed by Sieler and Ogbah with 3 each. Jalen Ramsey continues his excellent playh, but with CB Kendall Fuller OUT with a concussion, the CB spot opposite Ramsey has been a revolving door with CB’s Kader Kohou, Storm Duck and Cam Smith. I would love Cam Smith to step up and take that spot, but he hasn’t been able to do that as of yet.
I’m interested to see if the Patriots, who have watched the Dolphins perform well using a ball control offense, running the ball and a short passing game try to make the Dolphins beat them deep, something they haven’t done in weeks, with the exception of the Jonnu Smith 57 yard TD which was a coverage breakdown by the Raiders D. The Dolphins held the ball for 33 minutes and put on a master class of ball control. The Dolphins had 2 TD drives possessing the ball over 8 minutes, another drive where they had the ball for 7:47 and scored a TD and one more where they had the ball for 5:47 and scored a TD. Long, successful drives are a marvel to watch, and in the long run, is better for our team, mostly the defense, because it gives them time to rest. While I loved our quick strike offense, this version of the offense is the one you win playoff games and bad weather games with, so keep that in mind.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
Doesn’t the NE defense suck right now? This offense needs to win this game at home.
Well, we’re 15th in defensive points allowed, and the Patriots are 18th. I guess we both suck then. lol
I do agree though, we score close to 30, and it’s not likely the Patriots can keep up with that.
MikeE,
Thanks! I actually thought they were in the late 20s. As you may have noticed, I’m not saying much nice about this team right now, so the word “sucks” applies to everything, for me.
We’re 4-6, which actually sucks. We’re playing better, and we’re on the upswing, but we lost 2 games that were winnable against the Cardinals and the Bills. Now we suffer the consequences of that by being forced to win at least 6 of 7, and then still not being guaranteed a playoff berth
Wow! The released Daniel Jones.
^Giants
That shocked me this morning. I doubt anyone picks hi. up before letting him go through the waiver process though, his salary is ridiculous.
Thank you, Mike E.! One game at a time and as you stated, this is not one to take lightly, as all are must wins, imo.
No doubt Krishna! It’s like every game is a playoff for us. One thing I can say is if we can get past the gauntlet of having to win 7 of 8 games successfully, I think this team will be playoff ready having played under that pressure for half of the season. In other words, better to peak late than early! Unfortunately, we still have a whole lotta peaking to do. lol
It’s all foreplay at this time…lol! No “peaking” allowed at this point, only rising to the occasion.
And, I agree they will be playoff ready if they can get there!
Thanks MikeE!
My biggest concern this game is Drake Maye’s running ability. He is going to be as dangerous as Josh Allen running the football. Maybe not yet this year but just watch as he gets up to the speed of the NFL.
Pats will be in the division hunt next year. They have a ridiculous 140 million in cap space to build around Maye in the offseason.
Our team is going to be turned over quite a bit next season roster wise. We’re going to a very different team personnel wise
Agreed
Hopefully the new GM will be picking players.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBRRJ2gxymH/?igsh=dG9najhwdXJvamtj
Crazy, right? Those hits used to be the highlights, now they’re the penalties
The game has changed so much. All I could think of watching that was DAMN!
I think it’s one game at a time but get back to .500 and then worry about where it ends. No rules against winning every game. 🙂
MikeE, I agree. Many holes to fill with McMorris the only safety, no OG’s on the roster, Brooks and Tindall only ILB’s, Seiler only DL…
It will be an interesting offseason for us leading up to the draft. Atleast our cap situation isn’t as bad as where we started this year. I think our 2025 cap is projected at -700K right now. I don’t think that includes our carryover though.
LOL, I am sure the Bengals offense would crush their defense.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ Week 16 home matchup versus the Cincinnati Bengals has been flexed out of Thursday Night Football and is rescheduled for Sunday, Dec. 22 at 1 p.m. ET (FOX).
Brock Purdy is out this Sunday vs GB. Brandon Allen will be starting in his place. He is a F/A next year.
Pats look banged up on defense based on their injury report. No excuses for the O
Might be a decent game on tonight on FS1 with #24 UNLV at 6-4 San Jose State.
FOX really picked a garbage game for Friday night football with Purdue at Michigan State.
I will stick with my thoughts from 3 weeks ago. Dolphins will be 6-6 after beating Packers on Thanksgiving. Go from there.
Good thoughts!
I would love that!
Not many tough matchups on tomorrow. Though, I am so stressed with the first one:
#5 IU at #2 Ohio State, 11am FOX
#9 Ole Miss at Florida, 11am ABC
#4 Penn State at 6-4 Minnesota, 2:30pm CBS
#14 BYU at #21 Arizona State, 2:30pm ESPN
#19 Army at #6 ND, 6:00pm NBC
#7 Alabama at Oklahoma, 6:30pm ABC
That’s kind of it for any good matchups but some other games might end up being a decent watch.
Indiana OSU is huge. That game has major implications
Thanks for the write up Mike E! Another solid job!
https://twitter.com/i/status/1859700773019640161
lol
He’s not fat anymore!
LOL!
I have hated Ohio State longer than I’ve hated the jills. I really hope Indiana wins. They have a very experienced team, so I’m hoping the situation isn’t too big for them. Ohio Stats still has the horses. Indiana has got to grind out an ugly win. That’s the only way they win, I think.
I agree. IU is coming off a bye week. IU will need an effective running game. I also worry about IU’s DL vs OSU OL. That is a battle they need to win.
This game features 2 good QB’s who are very accurate and good prospects for us.
This is awesome seeing MM match up!
https://x.com/WhitePepperGDF/status/1860009303354335395
Rourke still playing with a splint on his throwing hand thumb.
Fuck, can’t believe they couldn’t get the stop there.
OSU ILB Cody Simon is on my list for the draft
TBH, getting past my homerism, I like Will Howard over Kurtis Rouke because of his mobility. Plus, he is very efficient.
I would like us to draft either one of them.
Meh on Howard
Fucking mistakes
biggest game in school history and the idiot liquored up punter…
Fuck! Time to switch to Ole Miss/Florida
Jaxson Dart fucked up bad today
I have really liked LG Donovan Jackson from OSU as a pick at #98 but he won’t last that long now. Possibly an early 2nd.
Due to injury, he moved out to LT starting with the PSU game and has been stellar there since. Already being one of the top IOL in the draft coupled with this versatility, he will not last long at all.
I still like Jaxson Dart even though he made some bad mistakes today.
How about that. lol
@schadjoe
Two tight ends have 100 receiving yards and 2 TDs in a game this season
Jonnu Smith, Dolphins
Mike Gesicki, Bengals
Jackson from OSU has been a known quantity for a number of years. The question with him was whether or not he can play LT in the NFL or needs to be a guard. Even at guard, he’s not a sure fire pick. I’ve watched him for years, and he still hasn’t played as well as his size and athleticism would seem to indicate. I think he was a 5 star recruit.
I think he’s one of those guys who could be really good, if he puts it all together. But, he hasn’t done that in 4 years at OSU. I’m not sure I’d play him at LT. He’d be a guard for me unless he shows a lot of improvement technically.
Thanks for the info! Yeah, I would be only drafting him to play LG. I just thought it showed a little more of him with the ability to move outside after OSU lost LT Simmons.
Thanks!
Randy, what are your thoughts on OSU ILB Cody Simon? He is 1 of about 5/6 ILB’s I like in the draft.
BBM,
Donovan has the potential to be elite. That’s why he might go a little higher….and, in the pros…maybe they get him to play to his potential. I hate trying to figure out those sort of guys.
I haven’t paid much attention to Simon. I know who he is, but he’s never really stood out to me. Is he ranked highly? I guess that would surprise me.
No, Simon isn’t ranked that high. Early day 3 is what I am seeing from the draft guru’s. Finding an ILB this draft who is good at everything is going to be a hard find.
That was one of Mike E’s best writes ever. Seiler back is a game changer.
And don’t count out what Waddle and Tyreek do for this offense. Teams play two deep safeties on us more that against any other team in the league. That opens up what has made our O run the last 4 games.
Deon’s son loses his cool. Shedeur Sanders apparently shoved an official in the back. They should suspend him for the rest of the season.
There is this high school kicker who kicked a 61 yard FG that would have been good from 65 yards. He tried a 62 yarder earlier in the season that bounced off the crossbar.
Why can’t this 18yo bypass college for the NFL if he wants to? Stupid rules.
rules are in place for the good of the NFL and NCAA, not for the kid
Nothing we haven’t seen in other sectors of our society, carry on
Nice to see Alabama get eliminated from the college playoffs.
not so fast, my guess is they still get in. Ole Miss’ loss keeps them alive
You are correct. I forgot they expanded the college playoffs from 8 teams to 12 this year.
no way Alabama gets in.
BBM- it was only the top four teams prior to this season
Although they will get leapfrogged by Miami, Georgia, Tennessee, Boise State and probably SMU when the rankings come out today.
Looking at the schedules for the top 11, they should all win next week.
Clemson should move up to at a minimum to #14, most likely #13. If they beat South Carolina next week, who should be ranked in top 15 today, that should secure Clemson as the #12 at least and oust Alabama.
Wyoming, your boys put up a heck of a fight
Loosing the QB to Concussion in the first half was a killer!
They played hard
(Story of my Football life) 😉
reports are the MM vetoed a trade for Calais Campbell to the Ravens for a fifth rounder
Good! Lol
Good call, I’d rather have Calais. Ravens screwed up not bringing back the future HOF’er.
Bryan, the 5 major conference champions get in. The top 4 ranked champions get a bye. The teams ranked #5 through #12 play in the first round of the playoffs.
A team ranked #12 could still be bounced out if a conference champion is not in the top 12. This will be the case this year with the Big 12 as both BYU and Colorado both lost again.
This will be another reason Alabama probably won’t get in.
https://collegefootballplayoff.com/sports/2024/5/29/12-team-format.aspx
It’s crazy with this format as OSU and PSU won’t get a bye going by this if Oregon wins the Big Ten.
I know. I really want PSU to get a bye!
I don’t want to steal Rocks thunder so…
IT’S GAMEDAY ASSHOLES!!!!!!!!!!
it’s more accurate too!!! Lol
@chrisperk
Fwiw Hard Rock Stadium field looks kinda chewed up between the hash marks (UM played Wake Forest here yesterday) but it shouldn’t be a factor in the game’s outcome
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/why-dolphins-head-coach-mike-mcdaniel-prevented-team-from-trading-calais-campbell-to-ravens-per-report/
Media saying Dolphins should call Daniel Jones about being a backup. Not sure how I feel about that.
I don’t want to sign Daniel Jones
if we lose Tua we are done for this season
we don’t need an expensive insurance backup QB at this stage of the season / we can targets to lose another game
it’s pretty much Tua or bust for the rest of the season
this offseason we can address backup QB
let’s go 🐬!
He wants to be part of something special if the team can pull it off, I guess.
@OmarKelly
The team talked to Calais Campbell about this and he actually preferred to stay.
But the team has discussed potentially releasing him at the end of the season if Miami isn’t in the playoff mix.
https://dolphinstalk.com/2024/11/report-dolphins-to-pursue-daniel-jones/
Sounds like an opinion and not fact.
Of course, but might make sense….what else do we have? He wanted out, I think.
Daniel Jones is far better than any backup QB we have on roster right now. I have a feeling he goes to Baltimore.
if we have to play Daniel Jones – we would be playing him to lose games
he would have to learn a new complicated system
he’s not very good (although I don’t think he’s bad either)
there’s just no reason for it
we already knew it by not being prepared with an adequate backup to start the season
not going to fix that now
gotta hope Tua is healthy
no one is going to come in now and learn our offense and be effective
agreed. But I’d take him on the cheap for the rest of the season.
That’s what I was thinking Brian.
I certainly don’t see it as an insurance plan on Tua this season…that’s gone….lol..
It’s more, can’t be worse as backup QB than we have right now. I don’t really know his pedigree, and seemed like low risk, high reward.
And he has a head start on any QB we may draft especially if we can keep winning
that’s exactly my thinking Krishna
Daniel Jones will most likely be a 49er or a Cowboy
middle of December Tua gets hurt in 2nd qtr (or any other game where he would be out 1 game) we need the game desperately to keep our playoffs alive, I’d rather have Jones to fill in
We are screwed with or without Jones in this event
why? He’s never won an NFL game before
Our offense is built for Tua who is a timing and accuracy QB. Jones is more athletic and mobile but holds the ball too long and is not particularly accurate. He will struggle in this offense
Ken – just looking at how absolutely awful the guys we have on the roster at QB played for us, I’d take Daniel Jones over any of them for sure. He’s a pro starting QB, and if he’s a here a few weeks, he’d be able to get enough if this offense down to be far better than Skylar or Snoop. I also blame MM a shit ton for not simplifying the offense for either of them. That’s on him
He is not coming here in any event
Did he sign somewhere?
Not yet he had to clear waivers but very likely to SF or Dallas
Tua time!
Jonnuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Tua late on that late out throw to Jannu. Had him early.
Stevenson is powerful. Got to make him have to move laterally
Our defense has no killer instinct
2nd and 16 and they give up big run
Been saying that all year
Drake Maye is going to be a pain in our ass for years.
I’ve seen Jordan Poyar get steamrolled twice now on this lone drive.
We got him about 3-4 years too late
Absolutely!
*Poyer
Worst signing of the season
Maybe so!
only because we don’t have enough at the position, he was a low level signing like many of the DTs, but we had others when Tart busted
Well, with cap issues, you can only afford so much and you get what you pay for.
We will have same problem next year.
slight doink
Ken – whether Jones signs somewhere else or not, until he does, we should be included in the teams pursuing him. The best argument against it is not Daniel Jones but the razor thin margin of error we have to make the playoffs
We are not being linked to him by any credible reports
Nice old school L’trimm reference: we like the cars that go boom! Female rap group from Miami from the early 90s.
PS: they were HOT!!!
Anyone see the Colts unis today? Yuck!
do they look like the east side of the inner harbor?
I can’t figure out how NFL players still jump offsides, when everyone in the stadium knows we aren’t snapping the ball
Jonnuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!!
Jonuuuuuu!
JONNU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
welcome to the conch show
Jonuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
(blowing in a conch)
Jonuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu
Tua seemed a split second late on the throw to OBJ but got the TD anyway.
Jannu!
I owe ya a beer for the OBJ call!
he’s been a little late on 2 throws today but otherwise very good
Tua is looking RAZOR sharp today, minus that attempt to OBJ in the endzone.
PSteve – never been to Baltimore, but they look like they could have been dredged up from the harbor, especially the helmets
Need a favor from Coach Campbell today. I don’t feel confident about the Raiders chances vs the Broncos.
🐷🫱🏻
CHOP!!!!!!
Chop putting on a clinic on that series
pork chop getting that pressure
I am really hoping Chubb comes back soon
would be nice
YOU CAN’T CHIP A CHOPP!
You’re late to GAMEDAY, BITCHES!!! 😉 😀
but you can pork one
cheers Tim, on the Chop sack🤪
I was hard on Chop in the beginning but it is fun watching him learn on the fly
I like Jonnu as our workhorse
RUN THE BALL
Repeat
RUN THE BALL
Repeat
PLAY ACTION TD
Achane really doing a good time being patient and finding room to run
How was that not PI against Achane
Helluva pass-breakup by Elliss.
Hard to follow, but Ingold has been used very little, correct?
is he active today?
He has been in the game
Tua is dealing now
Tua dealing , Jonnu beasting and waddle has awoken and remembered how to catch 👍👍🌈🎉
SURGICAL is the perfect description for Tua. He’s making throws that 95% of QBs (past or present) can’t).
ACHANE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Offense taking care of biness!!!
Man, Achane is a bright spot
Was that Aaron Brewer who pancaked that defender near the goal line on the Achane TD?!! DAYUM!!!
YUP! That was Brew Crew!!!
great play design…punt return wall, I know it well from the punt team😜
when you use Jonnu as the workhorse it’s easy to lose sight of Waddle, Achane, Hill
No doubt, Bro!!! And we LOVE to see it!!!
I thought our Oline was BAD???????
They suck, the whole team sucks. They told us.
Seems those early losses we took awakened a sleeping GIANT! This O-Line has been looking rather good as of late.
Just imagine what this team could do with a proper o-line.
getting a lot of calls today, 19+ years of makeup calls vs the cheats to go
+100000000000000000000000
The problem the last couple of years we had no answer when teams take away the deep in cut but we do now
that’s been the talk of the media the last couple of weeks, small ball allows us to compete better against good teams, at end of games more consistently, and most of all lessens the TOs
I got the sound off in the office.
What is wrong with Anthony Walker?
Nothing happened to him but he just went down on his own
Possible concussion sustained on a prior play? Don’t know.
Not sure… something about his body language looking off. Took him to the tent for a look. Possible concussion is my take.
Thanks
Achilles is usually the the non contact injury in that instance
but he’s walking around, so IDK
Julian Hill only makes mistakes
And mistakes only make Julian Hill.
Julian Hill incomplete, but does this guy ever do anything positive besides block?
last week he made his first 2 plays of the season
he plays like, hey guys look what I’m about to do, oh shit I didn’t finish the play