Before we get to the actual game, if you weren’t around yesterday, didn’t listen to any football related matters, the Miami Dolphins released some bombshell news, news that your’s truly is extremely hopeful about. The Miami Dolphins have announced that Miami Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross has hired ESPN Analyst and Commentator Troy Aikman as a consultant to help in the process of finding the next Miami Dolphins GM. Some will be miffed that it’s Troy Aikman, and he hasn’t played in 25 years, not coincidentally the last time the Miami Dolphins won a playoff game. Relax! He’s going to be a consultant, not the final say, just there to help and give a little guidance. He’s still a huge part of the game, he sees every team play and is still quite connected to the game. The bigger point though is that even if you don’t think Aikman should be the guy to consult, the Dolphins are doing what needs to be done. They are trying to find the right GM to build this team the right way, and for goodness sake, that’s exactly what I’ve been asking for. No half measures, no restrictions, no ultimatums, hire the right NFL Exec and give him full autonomy to hire the Head Coach he chooses and have full control over player personnel. Accountability is paramount here. You need to have one person making these decisions, and while the GM Head Coach relationship needs to be a cohesive one, while the Head Coach could pounding the table for a particular player, the GM has to have the final say and do his due diligence as he will ultimately be the one responsible for that decision. There can be no gray area, the GM will run the show and hopefully choose the right Head Coach to make this team competitive year in and year out.
After that stunning news, I feel like anything else I say pales in comparison, but there is one more game to be played, and the guy wearing #14 for the Miami Dolphins has to be pumped up to face the New England Patriots to spoil their bid to become the AFC #1 seed. I feel like sometimes the teams that are playing for seeding don’t necessarily seem super motivated. I don’t think that will be the case late Sunday afternoon because Mike Vrabel is a disciplined Head Coach from the Bill Belichick tree, and I believe he understands full well he’d rather play all the games at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough rather than have to travel to Denver to play the Broncos in their house. I guess we’ll see what happens in that regard, but the Dolphins at 7-9 have been eliminated from playoff contention, and at the moment will likely be picking just outside the Top 10 in the 2026 NFL Draft. One important information we don’t have is whether or not Dolphins Head Coach Mike McDaniel will be returning. My assumption is that he will not be, as the GM search would indicate they’re attempting to do this the right way, but until I actually read it, I’ll have that small bit of doubt.
Change. The GM search is a beacon of change, and after 25 years of not winning a playoff game, I’d say change is in order. I believe Mike McDaniel and Tua Tagovailoa are joined at the hip, and I think since QB Tua Tagovailoa is holding a clip board, Mike McDaniel will soon be looking for another job in the NFL after this week when Black Monday rolls around. This is historically the day when NFL Head Coaches are let go from their respective teams after not having a good season or seasons. I do expect Mike McDaniel to be one of those coaches, but again, it hasn’t happened and there are no guarantees. You guys know how I feel about QB Tua Tagovailoa, any QB who puts himself above the team is OUT for me. He 100% values his health above the success of the team and his play on the field reflects is over and over. I never want to see him taking snaps for this team ever again, and I’m pretty sure that’s a done deal. As to who the next Miami Dolphins Head Coach will be, a lot of dominos have to fall first before that picture gets any clearer. Will Pittsburgh Steelers Head Coach Mike Tomlin be let go after 19 years if they miss the playoffs? Will Baltimore Ravens Head Coach John Harbaugh be let go after 18 years if they miss the playoffs? I think it’s strange to even think those things, but it’s 2026 now, and if you haven’t noticed, things are just different.
Since the whole GM search and then Head Coach search thing is unclear, let’s get back to Sunday’s game. The Patriots and Broncos are both 13-3. The Broncos host the LA Chargers while the Patriots host our Miami Dolphins. The Broncos come off a defensive struggle 20-13 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs while the Patriots are coming off a blowout 42-10 win over the NY Jets. Both teams want nothing more than to play every playoff game in their house. Our Dolphins have played well in Foxborough, We beat the Patriots 15-10 last season, 24-17 in 2023, but lost a close 23-21 game in 2022. We are very different teams though. The Patriots are 13-3 playing for the #1 seed, and we have a rookie QB who has made two NFL starts after just 2 weeks of practice with the starters after being the emergency QB most of the season. QB Drake Maye has put up some very nice numbers this year although the Patriots schedule was an easy one. Despite that though, Vrabel has done what he was hired to do, win the games on the schedule, and they have won 13 of 16. The Dolphins played a very similar schedule and we stand at 7-9, so be careful throwing stones from glass houses.
I like what our rookie QB Quinn Ewers has shown us so far. The game didn’t look like too much for him, and the team has responded well with him at the helm. He looks like he has some moxie, and compared to the the wet noodle Tua, that’s a lot. There was definitely an energy last week as the Dolphins were playing a team who need the win to control their playoff destiny, and while the Bucs have been up and down this season, I think they’re the better team, but not this past Sunday. WE ran the ball well enough between Achane and Wright and just asked QB Quinn Ewers to give us just enough and he delivered on that. We will probably need a similar game plan to upset the Patriots Sunday. Waddle was in and out of the game with nagging injuries and that leaves WR’s Malik Washington, WR Theo Wease, WR Cedrick Wilson Jr., along with TE’s Julian Hill, Greg Dulcich and sometimes used Darren Waller. As far as I’m concerned, I’d skip the Darren Waller experiment next season. He’s exciting when he’s in there and we use him, but I’m tired of him disappearing for long stretches where he’s not in the game. Find someone who can play without restrictions! I hope we don’t burn out Achane in this one, I wouldn’t be shocked if we put a lot on his plate Sunday. He’s the one guy in this offense that always make things happen. The Patriots leaned hard on the run game with rookie TreVVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson last week and I’d expect more of that this week. We’ll see how stout or young D-line can be, but we know we’ll get quality linebacking from Brooks and Dodson.
While S Minkah Fitzpatrick was held out of practice along with RB De’Von Achane, LB Jordyn Brooks and TE Darren Waller, that doesn’t mean they aren’t playing. I’d say 3 of the 4 are definitely playing with the exception of Minkah. How much they play is a different story. This game doesn’t mean a whole lot to the Dolphins, but for Head Coach Mike McDaniel who is likely auditioning for a job elsewhere, and for the players too, it means a lot. I’d expect a good effort, and I hope that first and foremost we come out healthy from this game, and maybe this team gives us a surprise upset win, and believe you me, this would be a huge upset. Let’s hope we have a good game, and #14 Quinn Ewers shows us a little something special Sunday afternoon.
GO DOLPHINS!!!
Finsmob Unleashed 
can’t wait to 425 to do my laudnry
starting now
Can you franchise a player twice? Or is that limited to a 1st round pick
Yes, you can. Players hate it but you can. Pretty sure Kirk Cousins was franchised tagged twice
There is a huge jump in salary, like 20% I think.
Wow… Cincy lost… and it looks like New Orleans is going to lose as well.
I REALLY wanted to improve our draft position.
@flasportsbuzz
And Falcons up 9 over Saints with under 3 minutes left. That, if holds, would send Carolina to playoffs and mean Dolphins could pick no higher than 10th
We just probably lost out on David Bailey in the Draft. SMMFH
Maybe not, we’ll have to see. I’ve seen drafts where he’s just outside the top 10
It looks like we’re picking 10th in a draft where there’s no top QB talent outside of two dudes. Earlier is better but a top 10 pick will be awesome if we have the right guy looking. A top WR, CB, or maybe DE in the cards?
imo, it always comes down to picking the right player, from first to last.
I see we went to New England without our Defense being aboard the plane.
Wright has speed and power and no vision
I think you nailed him! If Wright had any kind of vision, he’d be VERY dangerous.
Tell him to come see me, I’ll fix that right quick! LOL
Ewers has earned the title of staring QB going into next season. Prove me wrong.
As it stands (current QBs on the roster), I agree. But he still hasn’t had enough of a sample-size to be certain that he’s our future.
So far, I like what I’ve seen from Ewers.
Ewers > Tua in the cold, maybe in all weather
if the success of this team hinges on whether we pick 8th or 10th, then we are fucked.
LOL, that’s how it’s been for us over the last 25 years! 😉
Phelon – Quinn has earned to be in the competition, that’s about it. That’s the way it should be. Don’t hand anyone anything!
Ugh! Bell showing why he’s a career PS player
Where’s our Defense today?
Ewers > Tua in the cold with Tua playing with Hill, Waddle and Achane
Defensive auditions not going well.
Fuck yeah! Go Ewers!
He is moving a depleted offence very well in the cold 👍👍
This is what I wanted to see. It’s not the hopeless “Cold weather doom” with Ewers out there, with a skeleton of skill positions players. I wish they would have made the change earlier instead of slogging through the season with Tua
Don’t care what you kooks say…Ewers is the presumptive starter next year. Any competition will have to unseat him. If he had been starting earlier in the season, Miami would be in the playoffs.
mooks not kooks
Hate to admit this but it looks real good for McDaniel that Ewers is moving this team up and down the field. Just shows how ridiculously limited Tua was and I suppose you could blame McDaniel for not switching earlier
McD is a good offensive mind. Just not a leader…yet.
Ewers with a few boots and rollouts today. Something they didnt do with Tua very often at all.
Either Strange or Borom got beat on that 3rd down loss
Agreed on McDaniel. I’m in between getting rid of him, and keeping him for his offensive mind. Hes got to improve on those boneheaded decisions though.
He needs to develop the heart of stone. Leaders don’t always make easy decisions.
I would trade Achane and roll with Wright and Gordon next year. Miami is two years from competing. Achane will be worn out by then.
You can make that argument, especially if you can get a 1st and maybe a 2nd or 3rd for him. Waddle I would trade for a 1st RD pick with zero hesitation.
He was on the block this year- Dolphins wanted a first but teams didn’t want to give that up
Phelon – Back to Ewers. It does no one good to anoint anyone as the starter at QB. I’m nearly 100% sure that Tua won’t be involved in the competition. If we draft a QB in the first 3 RD’s or even later and they look good, competition is good for both players. I like Ewers, it’s nothing against him, I just think competition is important, keep players hungry. Tua was clearly well fed and not hungry in the least. He showed no fire, desire, or attempt to become a better player.
Bri – I heard the Giants were willing to give a 1st and 3rd for Waddle
I read the opposite, and I think the dolphins would have jumped all over that. Or not…
Anyone catch that tackle attempt by big Jonah? He tackles as well as he blocks. Big WHIFF!
Shocking
😂
Despite the fumble , nice to see us breaking huddle with 15 seconds in play clock consistently
wright fumbles on the 2nd possession, bobbled a handoff on the 3rd and lost a fumble on the 4th. Way to make the most of your opportunity.
Bri – I googled Waddle/NY Giants and it appears as if you’re closer to being correct. Looks like they wanted to give us a 2nd, which would be an early 2nd, but we passed.
LMAO @ “Stephani Diggs”, followed by “Dicks” by the announcers!
Let’s fucking go!! Nice!!!
I thought the defense was going to lay down all game, but they’ve shown up now. And another blocked kick? Nice!
Zach Sieler!!!
Tua would have lost the ball on that sack
Ewers looking like a rookie in this drive now
Fuck yeah, at least we’re making them work for it.
Good job Patterson 😎
WTG Patterson!! LOL
Beer , and tanks 🤡
Toba 🍺
Phelon,
I want to reiterate your point up the board: Wright has absolutely ZERO vision. Achane would have COOKED on Wright’s opportunities today…. particularly, after the catch.
Bad vision, bad ball security. I wouldn’t be surprised if he fumbles again today.
What is going on with this site today. Can’t post from my phone and from my computer every time I comment it locks up and forces me to refresh.
There is He (helium) in the balls of kickers this season.
Kong – Posting from my phone today here has been an adventure
Ok, not just me, lol
CavalierKong
says:
January 4, 2026 at 5:46 pm
Bad vision, bad ball security. I wouldn’t be surprised if he fumbles again today.
——-
I don’t gamble, but I’ll be willing to bet you’re right on another fumble by Wright.
Michael Strahan says that Myles Garrett’s new sack record won’t be broken any time soon. LOL… wait until it goes to an 18-game season.
I really like the #6 Washington- whichever that one is
Malik
why is it necessary to keep all this presnap stuff
it’s not confusing anyone
Another Dulchich big play
Dulcich is a keeper. But I think we need to draft a TE pretty high
DULCICH the DAWG!!!
weight might have a couple of fumbles but I like the way he runs with power
WTF was that throw?!
That was an awful pass. Take the sure thing to Dulcich
Yeah wide open to left
I’m not even sure which receiver he was throwing to
Possible miscommunication on the INT? Dunno…
Man, these 3rd quarters
Our D is really bad.
21 rushes for 179 already. Just awful.
Just a friendly reminder regarding our Defense…
We cut Matthew Judon (good!)
We traded Jaelan Phillips (good!)
Chop has sucked this season and isn’t in today’s game (bad!)
Chubb is the ONLY (EDGE) pass-rusher we have in today’s game, and he hasn’t had a Pro-Bowl-esque season, either.
The 2 teams we needed to win both lost by 2 points. WTF
and so it continues…
Gordon has no burst to get through a hole
Ewers has look every bit of a rookie on the last two drives.
Fucking Jonah can’t block a DB weighing less than 200 lbs? WTF!!!!
Another 3rd quarter where the other team adjusts to our offense and our offense falters with no answer.
Although I guess that first drive was solid until Ewers made a rookie mistake.
Ewers needs to put more on those throws
Big Jonah… WTF???
Too much Dolphinsesque football for me today. Let’s see what else is on.
Was that big Jonah who just got ate up by a CB?
Yup!
Fucking Jonah. I really want to know who was the one who desperately wanted him to trade up for him.
He has barely improved and started all season long. Pathetic
He is so bad, it’s mind-boggling we wanted him that bad
Mike E.
says:
January 4, 2026 at 6:25 pm
Fucking Jonah can’t block a DB weighing less than 200 lbs? WTF!!!!
———
EXACTLY! WTF?!!
Here comes the avalanche
Not sure Weaver is a keeper. Although he is hamstrung by the players he was provided with (Grier).
Both Chiefs and Raiders trying their hardest not to win. Raiders want that #1 pick. If the Chiefs win, we will pick at #10. If not, it looks like we stay at #11.
Pats are playing for something. Dolphins are not. You can see the difference in effort, especially in the DB’s and tackling or lack of.
We have got to invest in OL
Tell you this . . . One fucker who will not be penciled in as the starter is RG Jonah Savaiinaea. That fucker needs to earn a spot next season. Not only to start, but to make the 53
Fucker needs to be cut
2 years in a row I got the prediction right!
Sorry guys.
On the bright side… nothing in this game says “Keep McD.”
Dolphins haven’t scored in the 3rd Quarter since before Halloween
How does Mike McDaniel still have a job? Is that not a problem? That’s a huge indictment against the Head Coach. Can’t fix that, you can’t keep the job of Head Coach. Sorry!
Our left edge got held on that last Maye run. Refs seem to be letting this game be over as fast as possible.
Is our 1st round Draft pick Kenneth Grant even playing today? Or is he ‘playing’, just to stay healthy?
Our QB played like that all season until he was benched. That shit rubs off, I swear it does!
If MM wanted to go get Jonah, MM needs to go just for that.
Gordon can’t make people miss
Grant has been in and out. Had a QB “pressure” in the first half and that is it.
Offense looking like ass
Well, I was hoping for a hard fought loss. At least we got that in the 1st half, kind of.
*sigh*
BBM with the jinx. I slept through the first half. Woke up at halftime and started streaming the game. Sorry everyone. lol
BBM,
Raider kicked up the number one pick after the results from the early games
locked up
throw it away Quinn
Well, look at the bright side. If you wanted a game to help make the decision as to whether to keep Mike McDaniel on as Head Coach, this game should surely spell his doom
Brian, I see that now. They would have had the lower SOS anyway. Thanks!
Grant too slow to get Dobbs, Jonah too small to block a 5’10 187 defensive back. Great draft Grier! Especially the trade up for Jonah, thst teally looks like the right move
Dobbs can run. That’s not fair. lol
Go Chiefs
Did Ewers get hurt on that last sack?
I don’t know.
This is what I saw of Gordon in college. No hole, he can’t create or make people miss.
Jonah on the turf, and then invariably, Wilson on the turf too. Jonah is a disgrace
Fucking Chiefs kick a FG to stay down 2 points in stead of going for the TD on 4th down. Fuckers!
BS penalty I hate that one. It’s football
@flasportsbuzz
Dolphins will draft 10th or 11th, based on the result of this absolutely thrilling Raiders-Chiefs game