Finsmob Unleashed

I have flip flopped on what the content of this article would be today. I went from just posting the Dolphins vs Patriots graphic and just leaving a line stating this team isn’t worth my efforts (they’re not!) so until they actually win, I’m not writing a full article. Then my thought was I’ll just purge my disappointment and anger towards the team in a scathing article detailing their failures and shortcomings. Then I decided to be better, and just do it right, or at least as right as I can be.

This is going to be a tough matchup for us this week. The Patriots have lost 2 games in a row in horrible fashion, one on the last play of the game knotted in a 20-20 tie and heading for overtime, unless the Patriots decide to actually run a play instead of taking a knee. Not only do they run a play, a handoff to RB Rhamondre Stevenson, who actually manages to get about 20 yards upfield, but then laterals to WR Jakobi Meyers who then must have been thinking about the Miami Miracle, because he decides to throw a lateral pass back towards the line of scrimmage, where QB Mac Jones was not at all expecting such a thing, and the throw was short and off target to Raiders DE Chandler Jones who makes the catch, and then promptly stiff arms bewildered QB Mac Jones who gets run over as Jones rumbles into the endzone with the game winning TD. This shouldn’t have happened, especially with disciplined HC Bill Belichick.

The next loss was just as difficult to swallow, for different reasons. The Patriots were on their way to recording an impressive comeback against a quality Cincinnati Bengals team, scoring 12 4th QTR points to close to 22-18. The Patriots drove the ball all the way to the Bengals 5 yard line in the final minute only to have RB Rhamondre Stevenson fumble and the Bengals hold on to win, 22-18. That’s probably one frustrated, angry Head Coach. Our Head Coach, Mike McDaniel had his team shut out in the 2nd half against a midpack Green Bay Packers defense. 3 INT’s will do that, but it does seem as if the NFL has caught up to Mike McDaniel in the adjustment department, while during the losing streak, we just can’t finish a game in the 2nd half after teams have made adjustments.

Our team is banged up, most notably our concussed starting QB Tua Tagovailoa who is OUT this weekend, and possible more, we have to wait on that answer. QB Teddy Bridgewater will start with rookie QB Skylar Thompson serving as his backup. Bridgewater is a capable QB, definitely one of the better backups in the NFL. He has been taking all the first team practice snaps so he should be totally prepared. It would be ideal if we had both RB’s healthy, Jeff Wilson Jr. and Raheem Mostert. I’d prefer not to need Teddy B slinging 50 passes on Sunday. I’d love to see the run game working, although LT Terron Armstead has at least 3 ailments which could keep him from playing, hip, toe and pectoral injuries that will have him QUESTIONABLE for Sunday. RT Brandon Shell is also injured (shoulder), so the O-line is compromised. Our secondary, which is already down so many players including S Brandon Jones, CB Byron Jones and CB Nik Needham, now has LCB Xavien Howard ailing with a knee injury suffered in practice. X has been dealing with groin injuries all season long.

It appears that a victory against the New England Patriots this Sunday is not imperative, the Dolphins could potentially just need to defeat the NY Jets in Week 18. This is specifically talking about the necessities of gaining a playoff berth. If the Dolphins lose this Sunday, why on earth anyone would expect us to beat the Jets is beyond me. The Dolphins have won the last 4 against the Patriots, and 7 of the last 10. This one is going to be very tough though, Bill Belichick’s team is playing for a playoff spot, and will need 2 consecutive victories against AFC East rival Dolphins and Bills to get in. You can hate him, but he’s a Hall of Fame HC, and the Sith Lord will likely have some surprises up his sleeve for our young HC to deal with. Let’s hope Mike McD is up to the task!

#stangerstrong

GO DOLPHINS!!!