Miami struggled to beat a bad team, but now they face a good one on the road
The Miami Dolphins overtime win against the New York Jets was fun for sure. It sure was so satisfying to watch the Jets go from on top of the world to implosion to defeat in rapid succession! While the Jets are a division opponent, so the familiarity can turn a poor team into a challenge, we shouldn’t have had to throw the kitchen sink to defeat them. Despite the win against the Jets, it seems clear that our team long-term outlook isn’t good, and we might end up rebuilding or retooling like they will if we can’t handle the Houston Texans this week.
The Texans will demand a much higher level of play to notch the win. Miami was lucky to have a little extra time to rest and prepare coming off the Thursday Night game. This Sunday though our opponent will be much tougher, at home, and extra rested their Bye Week. But if we were built right then we will overcome this adversity… and if not then ‘failure’ will be etched in stone on the 2024 Season.
Will the Phins finally rise to the occasion, or will they flop and flounder to close another season?
Playoffs continue for the Phins
Houston is a must win, but every week is a must win over these next four games, even one loss will likely end any shred of hope to make the postseason. Miami must play their best game in ages or just as we ended the Jets playoff chances, Houston will do the same to us this week.
The Texans are tough, but they aren’t a juggernaut on offense, ranking 18th in yards and 11th in points. Unfortunately, they are tougher on defense ranking 4th in yards allowed and 12th in points. On the flip side, Miami’s offense ranks 19th in yards and 23rd in points and on defense 9th in yards and 14th in points. You can see even without the best football software why the Texans will be a very tough out especially with Houston at home and rested. But we’ve been building this team longer than Houston, so a loss here will say a lot more than just about this season this season, it will tell us where we really are with Grier’s build.
Miami’s defense mush be stout because the Texans will make it tough
Houston is inconsistent on offense so the Dolphins defense must limit them because despite being down their star linebacker Azeez Al-Shaai this defense is dangerous. If Miami struggled to score touchdowns against the Jets, I expect the same or tougher sledding this week. Our former linebacker Neville Hewitt is on the team and is giving them a decent number of meaningful snaps. I’m curious to see if he plays a positive or negative role for our destiny this week.
The most concerning part of this week is the defense not only has a trio of stud pass rushers in Anderson Jr., Hunter, and Barnett but they have a trio of very solid cover defenders too in Stingley, Lassiter, and Ward! So, they will get after Tua quick and will cover well enough to slow down the speed of throw. This has been a bad combo in the past.
Thankfully they aren’t nearly as good at safety and on their interior defensive line. Miami has struggled at the deep ball and running the football between the tackles, so can they hurt the Texans where they are weakest? This will be a big question.
I expect Tua to dish quick and move down the field, but we can’t play field goals for touchdowns like we did this week against the Jets. Can our defense also being stout in the Red Zone and even get some turnovers? The Texans have issues with their guards and centers and Stroud has struggled with too much pressure on a few occasions this season. Sieler, Chop, and Campbell… and maybe Chubb could be the X factor?
Likely this is ultra wishful thinking and I’m likely still a little high off the Jets win. Let’s see if we’ve have what it takes to be a contender. Go Phins!!!