Fins Best Comeback Since 94′ ‘Fake Spike’
A comeback like this can be decades apart for teams
This comeback is now part of Dolphins lore
The Miami Dolphins pulled off the unthinkable, and some might even call it a miracle. This type of highly improbable event has not been witnessed since the days of Dan Marino and Don Shula in 1994 when the Fake Spike completed the comeback to stun the Jets.
https://youtu.be/eZfzr9tB4oo
Just like in 94′, the Dolphins Defense allowed a 17-0 early advantage against the Atlanta Falcons.
This time the defense gave up two big plays in the first half, one was a long touchdown pass and the other was a 44 yard run by Freeman that also led to a touchdown. However, after that the Dolphins Defense played terrific. They kept the Falcons off the board with the help of a missed field goal and then two 3 and outs in the second half, consistent pressure on Matt Ryan and a game ending interception by All Pro Safety Reshad Jones.
https://youtu.be/OaR4bXwQadk
Despite a bumpy start, the Dolphins defense showed that they are for real with a shutout in the second half against a high-scoring offense on the road. In addition, they clamped down on Atlanta’s run game in the second half by allowing less than 30 yards on the ground after a shaky first half. Being able to limit the always dangerous Julio Jones to 6 catches and 72 yards is a major accomplishment.
The combination of Howard, Tankersley and McCain appear to be playing better in the secondary as well–bye, bye Maxwell… hello 10 mill saved.
Too bad Marino didn’t have this defense and Jay Ajayi…
…sorry was dreaming there for a bit.
Speaking about the defense must include Matt Burke, who is showing to be both smart and creative. I guess Ivy League school pays off. Timely blitzes and ability to gameplan show he’s far, far beyond the horror of Tom Olivadotti.
A final look at the odds of this comeback as icing on the cake:
The best betting software on the web closed the Dolphins as a +14 underdog which was the biggest underdog of the weekend. However if that were not amazing enough, the Dolphins were down 0-17 at halftime and when they started the second half they were a +20.5 point underdog and a +1700 money line to win the game at that point.
Now, the big question is can Miami continue to win? If so, they must continue to improve. When you peel back the layers, there’s still a lot of work to be done. But after a win like this, how can you not at least have hope? Jets are coming fast, so we’ll see if the Dolphins can respond to this victory as well as they did the last one. Go Fins!!!
I hope we can build off of this… But I have my doubts because I’ve seen us win games vs superior teams before and then lose to teams we should beat. The jets at home is a game we should win… Lets keep it rolling!
I still see some problems that must be resolved. But a crucial one that’s getting better is discipline. They had 4 penalties and that’s a big one. Lemmus’ point of Brendal vs Pouncey is a good one, still too sick to dig into this tape. Never had anything like this… Gase is eliminating a lot of his foolish call as well… not all, but most. Steen worries me now a bit. He had a terrible game. Not sure if he is being exposed or had a bad game. Thomas wastes some good plays with his blocking as well and is still a 6 mill net negative player. Tackles played better, if they can keep it up that would be a huge plus. Howard needs to improve on D and Allen lets up the big play. Then Cutler and his accuracy and picks. With Freak it’s perfect or garbage. This is a highly nuanced game and in a game of inches, nuances can be the difference between a W and a L.
…I think Brendal was the biggest factor in the 2nd half but have not watched any tape …what I saw was a lot fewer opponents in our backfield after the change…I didn’t see any difference in the plays from the 1st half, just the results
…agree on Howard, but note that he was going head to head against one of the best WRs in the game …Tankersly had his moments, the final play was him popping the ball loose and into Jone’s hands …that’s heads up football by both …the defense is looking good and got a breather in the 2nd half from the offense …it showed
…Thomas was used as a receiver, not as a primary blocker and he had a couple good plays
…Gase ran a lot more 2 TE sets and not so many screens …but they worked in the 2nd half
…Landry dropped two good passes, caught I think, 8 …but those drops were drive killers …he needs to fix that
…Steen and Bushrod were same same, not turnstiles but not plugs …and again, the whole OL seemed to play better with Brendal in …a couple alleged draft gurus are saying we’ll take a QB in the 1st …dear god Gerty!
I’m not saying he wasn’t a factor, but after you turned off the TV they moved the ball and moved it well. But a few hiccups in there came from Pouncey getting mauled. Thomas had 3-5 missed blocks that were key… just a rough guesstmate. Haven’t really studied the game the way I normally due… still sick. Well weak… I’m like Jeb Bush now and low energy. Gase said “the Dolphins rank last in catchable passes percentage. Mistakes have cost them some 15 first downs.” I really need to take a look see on the line play… I need big shot of energy though. I’ll try to get it done and post videos on Brendal and Pouncey… maybe some interesting stuff will pop up. I’m very happy Brendal will start this week. Jets force Pouncey out of the second level and into a power game, which is his weak point. Brendal will force them to play more honest even though he is less talented.
…Larsen is practicing now, will return soon …and we’re 2 games away from replacing Allan at S …Parker can’t return soon enough, Caroo has been a disaster so far …3 targets, 2 drops, and an interception
…we’ll see how Brendal does this week with Bowles having time to target him, but on the plus side, it looks like Wilkerson will be out for the Jets
…this game will tell the tale, the Jets came within a hair of beating the Pats
…we dug ourselves a hole with the early losses against weak teams, the schedule only gets worse, and we have no bye …its got to be our turn to get a few breaks, eh
…I did note the almost penalty free play, huge difference
…but less two quarters in five games, we’re a one dimensional team with defense and ST outscoring a pitiful offense …that has to change
Didn’t hear about Wilkerson… that’s big news. Carroo needs to shine soon. Not super bright, but something. Yeah, this will be a big week for Brendal, I saw him blocking alone in RB a few times and that’s a big deal. I’m going to some study of the game tonight backed up on my job so trying to finished that project and two of Jimmy’ article might push it till friday. This will be a massive game. 4-2 compared to 3-3 is a huge difference. My little son was so surprised that the Fins won it was kinda depressing… he expects them to lose… I want him loving aqua but he keeps talking about the Broncs and Rams…
Fake Spike was a play that you remember where you were when it happened. Boy do I miss the Marino days.
Yeah, I was taping the game after the half, because a hot girl I was trying to date needed help with yard work and it didn’t look good enough for me to risk missing the brownie points with her.