Phins Banged Up Bad In Tight Playoff Hunt
Phins have their most critical games of the season coming up
The Miami Dolphins needed the Browns to beat the Ravens on Monday Night to boost their chance of making the playoffs. Unfortunately, it’s never a good thing when you need to rely on the Browns for a victory. Now, the Ravens are tied with the Dolphins for the final playoff spot. But, if the season were to end today, the Dolphins would have the tiebreaker due to the best win percentage in conference games. On the flip side, the Dolphins have a much tougher remaining schedule compared to the Ravens. Phins must take care of business this weekend against the Patriots to stay ahead of the Ravens!
Banged-up Phins must win 2 of 3
Sure, the Patriots aren’t the same without Tom Brady. However, they still have Belichick pushing the buttons and that makes them dangerous. Just ask the Chargers. You can bet with the best pay per head services that Bill would love nothing more than to ruin the Dolphins playoff hopes. To make matters more difficult, the Dolphins are limping into this game with possible numerous offensive weapons not able to play. Myles Gaskin is on the Covid reserve. Salvon Ahmed, DeVante Parker, and Jakeem Grant were all limited in practice, and Mike Gesicki was a no show today.
All are currently questionable to play.
The Dolphins will be short-handed to some extent on offense this week. This will make things tough because the Patriots have the 10th ranked defense. You can bet that Belichick will send a lot of pressure and mix up coverage on Tua. Miami would be wise to use the up-tempo offense again and not wait until they are behind like last week. Also, it will take some creativity this week with so many major offensive contributors likely to be out. Offensive Coordinator Chan Gailey has shown plenty of that this season, so we should felt confident this will continue.
Another good player brought in on the cheap to the rescue
The one bright spot on offense is the sudden emergence of rookie Lynn Bowden Jr., who is quickly becoming a go-to target for Tua. In the last two games, Bowden Jr. has a combined 11 catches for 123 yards and multiple key first downs. Look for Tua to continue to lean on Bowden Jr., if the rest of his weapons are not going to be able to play.
Bowden Jr. could end up the hero this week.
On defense, the Dolphins must contain Newton on the ground because they’ve failed to stop mobile QBs for years. Cam carved the Phins up for 75 yards on the ground and two rushing touchdowns in their first meeting. Miami must make sure this doesn’t happen again. This is one of the biggest keys to success. Patriots don’t have many weapons and Cam hasn’t thrown the ball well in his last few games. The Phins defense must make Cam uncomfortable early and often, but still not let him run all over them.
The Dolphins as the hometown favorite at -3, which is wild! I truly can’t remember the last time the Dolphins were a favorite against the Patriots? The concern though is all the early action is coming in on the Dolphins, which isn’t generally a great thing cause the ‘books’ make money on the opposite of what the public bets. Still, Vegas doesn’t always get it right.
This will be a great test for Miami to prove they have turned the corner. Beating an old foe when it counts to earn a shot at the playoffs would really be a feather in this team’s cap. Last year, the Phins proved they could play the spoiler…
… This year Miami can prove that they can beat the Pats when they need to.
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins news fans’ thoughts about the Dolphins’ chances of beating New England this weekend to keep their playoff hopes alive?
Jimmy,
I agree, toughest stretch this season with all on the line. I don’t want to sound defeatist, I am a 40+year die-hard Fins Fan, but i personally don’t think we make the playoffs. Perhaps with the offense being a lot more healthy, but at best, I see 9-7. It is going to take 10 wins to be a wild card even with the expansion to 3 teams vs. just 2! This says something about the competitiveness of the AFC. This off-season the team needs to draft and bring FA’s to the offensive side of the ball. I told MJ that I feel in the 1st round a RT and WR would be excellent. Then in 2nd round a “bell cow” RB and possibly another top WR. I say this because the team is going to need to give Tua more weapons, and the top flight RT will protect his blind side and contribute to the run game, which is the biggest lack on this team! Kindley, Hunt, are developing and have potential, Jesse Davis is good and dependable, but he is not elite nor of Pro Bowl caliber. A top flight OG at the RG position needs to be brought in from FA, and possibly another FA OG to compete with Flowers. None of these guys currently gets to the 2nd level well and that is why we are averaging about 2 yards per carry. This stinks! Regarding the WR’s Parker and Preston Williams are excellent and provide quite a challenge for opposing defenses, but they both are injury prone and can’t be counted on. The defense is getting better. Davis at NT is really coming along, as is Seiler. Wilkins is very solid. However in the 3rd round I say draft a top 5 MLB to add quality competition and depth. Vince Beigel and Van Ginkel are also blossing nicely. If Beigle did not go down for the season, he most likely would have started at MLB over Roberts. So in closing, as much as I would love to see our Dolphins in the playoffs, if even for just 1 week, I think we are 1 year/season away from being not just a playoff caliber team, but maybe even a contender!
Jimmy doesn’t respond these days… I’m going to fly in to see him next month and try and get him back into it… his work slows down then.
“I don’t want to sound defeatist, I am a 40+year die-hard Fins Fan, but I personally don’t think we make the playoffs.” It’s an opinion… and fair one a that.
I still think MLB, if a top-flight is available (only then), is more crucial. Maybe an ultra dominant WR might sway me. But, that Texans pick needs to be a stud at some position! I think they are done with Olinbemen in the first two rounds… but, maybe not. I agree with Davis… sadly. He’s making a bit too many mistakes and doesn’t play mean.
If they continue like this with player acquisition, development, and coaching… could be more than one SB. This situation has the early markings of special.