Miami Victory Makes For A Triumphant Regular Season
Miami Victory Makes For A Triumphant Regular Season
The last time Miami had a victory in Buffalo Matt Moore was the QB.
A triumphant victory in Buffalo means a 92% of making the Playoffs.
Here we are at the near conclusion of the 2016 Season with the Miami Dolphins in full control of their playoff destiny about to face a tough challenge of getting a crucial victory against their division rivals.
The opportunity alone is a pleasant Christmas surprise.
A victory would be a Corvette pulling up in the driveway with a big, red bow.
Sober reality slaps me in the face with the knowledge that the Dolphins have not won in Buffalo since December 18th of 2011.
Matt Moore was the QB then, and Reggie Bush had a monster day racking up 203 yards.
This was an outlier though.
December games in frozen Buffalo isn’t a good recipe for a team that spends their season in the beautiful weather of South Florida.
So, Miami must step up to the challenge in heroic fashion, raise their sword like the demi-god Perseus, and cut the head off the beast this Saturday.
The ‘beast’ not being Medusa in this situation, but rather the knock on their ability to play in the cold, Rex Ryan‘s rep as a Dolphins slayer, and most importantly, the image that they are the same old Dolphins waiting to choke when it’s most crucial.
A win over the Bills would certainly fall into the realm of that fantastic word, triumphant: feeling or expressing jubilation after having won a victory or mastered a difficulty.
Beating Buffalo would be a victory over old ghosts.
Yes, the Dolphins may have beaten Buffalo in late October in Miami, but that was in Miami, and both teams are dramatically different from when they played last.
The Dolphins are now without 2 key starters in Ryan Tannehill and Mike Pouncey, which is a major setback. The Bills on the other hand will now have a healthy LeSean McCoy, who has been playing excellent, and a now healthy Sammy Watkins.
These additions and subtractions definitely favor the Buffalo Bills.
But, one vital injury on the Bills front that isn’t getting enough attention except from the best pay per head and sportsbooks, and could dramatically alter each team’s fortunes, is Mammoth Offensive Tackle, CordyGlenn. At 6’6” 345 Glenn towers over everyone on the Miami defense except Jordan Phillips (6’6” 324). With the Bills love of the run game, if Glenn is unavailable this could prove a large chink in Buffalo’s armor. A lingering back injury ha shad Glenn downgraded from LP (limited practice) to DNP (did not practice) on Thursday.
Big guys and bad backs are quite fickle, and at this point, his status is very much in question. Even if he does play, the back injury will limit him, if not force him out of the game early.
One less gigantic road-grader would leave Miami getting the benefit of the mismatch.
A Dolphins victory gives them double digit wins for the season, been awhile since we saw that.
It will certainly help the Dolphins cause if Glenn doesn’t play, but this by no means is a death knell for the Bills run game. McCoy is now healthy and has run for over 100 yards in 3 of his last 4 games. He is fast and shifty, and he is going to be a big headache for Miami if they don’t bottle him up early and often.
In addition, QB Tyrod Taylor is also dangerous with his legs, and Miami continues to have issues with running QB’s. Taylor was able to gain 35 yards and a touchdown on the Dolphins in their last contest, so Miami needs to keep him inside the pocket.
The Dolphins have given up over 130 yards per game this season, and their ability to overcome this weakness will play the most crucial component in them having a triumphant victory in Buffalo or not.
But, there has been something special about this team this season. How special will be determined over starting tomorrow in Buffalo. Go Fins!!!
Yes we are all rooting for the Chiefs to officially put us in the Playoffs. Yes thats right boys (& ladies) the playoffs!!!
However: should the Broncos win that would give Miami a chance to play for the 5th seed. In this scenario, Miami wins vs the Pats and they are the 5th seed. Thats right, 5th seed and heading to Houston in the first round. Dangerous though, there is a way Miami could be totally out with a lose in that scenario. There is even a way Miami could lose to the Pats and still get the fifth seed under this scenario.
I’ll take my chances and just hope that KC wins to officially put us in.
…going to have to go back on my blood pressure meds if we make it to the playoffs
…Buffalo beat us in virtually every stat but the final score …the NFL version of the electoral college 😄
…no doubt the smart thing, assuming a Denver loss, would be to set our starters vs the Pats …but I’d actually be surprised to see Gase do it …its the Pats, our most hated foe, and what a way to CAP the season …short of running through the playoffs, of course 😎
he’d likely rest Ajayi and a couple of other banged up guys… if Denver losses. Let’s hope they do! Go KC. Man, if they can add more talent and keep this heart and will…Miami will be tough. Moore started the bad mojo with that terrible decision. He played pretty bad today…
Miami Found away to Win one of franchised biggest game since 2008. I cant say enough that this is a team effort and they are a special team. Credit to the Bills they never stop trying to win but the dolphins prevailed in this game. Who would have ever thought this team would be 10-5 in the play off hunt. Go fins! As Dunner stated earlier it does not benefit the Dolphins any to play starters against the PATS. Let them heal and Save them for the Play offs.
It will be tough hard fought game for the Dolphins in part because it’s a division game on the road in cold weather. I believe Miami and Buffalo will battle back and fourth for 3 quarters with Miami scoring 2 late 4th qtr touchdowns for a 27 -17 victory. Go Phins!
Hey, Richard…I’m gonna’ cheer your prediction and pat myself on the back: 27-17 is a brilliant pick for the score, brother — only a genius could be so accurate! 🙂 See the above comment if mine doesn’t makes sense. Go Fins!!!
I really hope Miami wins but I’m not counting on it. This game every year brings out the worst moments for us. This year is different though, so Miami has a good chance of winning. Further more, we hold the trump card. Matt Moore! Go Phins!
I agree Fritz, but Miami is playing for more with post season implications…if it’s close their emotion will last longer than that of the spoilers — at least I hope so. I think Miami will slow down the run game and win. I’m terrible at this, but I’ll take a stab at it for the first time 27-17 Miami. It’s a guess mixed with hope.
Yes we are all rooting for the Chiefs to officially put us in the Playoffs. Yes thats right boys (& ladies) the playoffs!!!
However: should the Broncos win that would give Miami a chance to play for the 5th seed. In this scenario, Miami wins vs the Pats and they are the 5th seed. Thats right, 5th seed and heading to Houston in the first round. Dangerous though, there is a way Miami could be totally out with a lose in that scenario. There is even a way Miami could lose to the Pats and still get the fifth seed under this scenario.
I’ll take my chances and just hope that KC wins to officially put us in.
J-Train rolls…….HOOT!!! HOOT!!!
Good info thanks, Dunner. I didn’t know that was a possibility!!! Cool…but yeah, I’ll take the sure thing with the Chiefs.
…oh my my my, poor Rex …not
…going to have to go back on my blood pressure meds if we make it to the playoffs
…Buffalo beat us in virtually every stat but the final score …the NFL version of the electoral college 😄
…no doubt the smart thing, assuming a Denver loss, would be to set our starters vs the Pats …but I’d actually be surprised to see Gase do it …its the Pats, our most hated foe, and what a way to CAP the season …short of running through the playoffs, of course 😎
he’d likely rest Ajayi and a couple of other banged up guys… if Denver losses. Let’s hope they do! Go KC. Man, if they can add more talent and keep this heart and will…Miami will be tough. Moore started the bad mojo with that terrible decision. He played pretty bad today…
Miami Found away to Win one of franchised biggest game since 2008. I cant say enough that this is a team effort and they are a special team. Credit to the Bills they never stop trying to win but the dolphins prevailed in this game. Who would have ever thought this team would be 10-5 in the play off hunt. Go fins! As Dunner stated earlier it does not benefit the Dolphins any to play starters against the PATS. Let them heal and Save them for the Play offs.
I AGREE!!! This team might not have championship talent, but it does have championship fortitude and heart.
J-Train rolls on!!!! Another 200 yds game, second vs the Bills and probably the nail in Ryan’s coffin.
J-Train rolls on, HOOT!!! HOOT!!!
If he gets a better line he could push the 2000 marks …guy is special and doing it with average blocking!!!!
Franks with a career saving 55 yd kick and chip shot winner. Prior to that believe he would have been ousted tomorrow.
Com’on KC, deliver us a Christmas present.
10-5, practically in!!! Still a chance to go 11-5, but that game probably isn’t even going to matter. Who Knew?
amazing, huh?!
It will be tough hard fought game for the Dolphins in part because it’s a division game on the road in cold weather. I believe Miami and Buffalo will battle back and fourth for 3 quarters with Miami scoring 2 late 4th qtr touchdowns for a 27 -17 victory. Go Phins!
Hey, Richard…I’m gonna’ cheer your prediction and pat myself on the back: 27-17 is a brilliant pick for the score, brother — only a genius could be so accurate! 🙂 See the above comment if mine doesn’t makes sense. Go Fins!!!
I really hope Miami wins but I’m not counting on it. This game every year brings out the worst moments for us. This year is different though, so Miami has a good chance of winning. Further more, we hold the trump card.
Matt Moore! Go Phins!
I agree Fritz, but Miami is playing for more with post season implications…if it’s close their emotion will last longer than that of the spoilers — at least I hope so. I think Miami will slow down the run game and win. I’m terrible at this, but I’ll take a stab at it for the first time 27-17 Miami. It’s a guess mixed with hope.