Close only matters in horseshoes & hand grenades, BUT…
The Miami Dolphins notched another road shootout victory on their resume against the Chicago Bears and lightening fast Justin Fields. Getting the win is always the most important result, however Miami wants to make the playoffs and win some playoff games, then we need to play better. But, it’s hard to complain about this kind of success when this franchise has been a doormat for the NFL for decades. Still, just a little more from this Dolphins team could make for a special season.
Bears have less talent than Miami
The Dolphins are clearly the better team than the Bears, but not emphatically putting the game out of reach and let them hang around deep in the fourth quarte is a recipe for future disasters. Miami was lucky not to get a pass interference call on the last drive because it would have put Chicago on the 20 yard line with a chip shot to tie or a chance to score the go ahead touchdown. Miami prevailed the same way in the Steelers game, too. But, counting on our defense to hold on the last drive of the game has been nerve wrecking this season because the defense hasn’t been great this year.
Sure, the defense came through with the stop at the end of both games, but all it takes is just one lucky play or penalty to spoil a game…
… and maybe more than that if it happens in a critical game at the end of the season or the postseason.
It’s great that we have won three shootouts this year, but we need a better long-term winning formula. It doesn’t take a best football software to know the teams that make it the furthest are the ones that are the most well rounded on both offense and defense.
Phins are so close to great things!!!
Sure, it’s crazy to nitpick a victory, but the Dolphins are finally getting some respect in terms of odds on games and have risen to +2500 to win the Super Bowl. While the Phins have one of the best records in the league, overnight the AFC East has turned into arguably the best division in football and Miami is currently in third place. They are currently in the 6th spot in the AFC, which would be good for the playoffs if they started today.
Phins are at once so close and so far from the postseason, this is why the little things are so critical.
Miami must continue to stack up wins for a chance to win the division or make it as a wild card. The great news is that the talent is definitely there on both sides of the ball. So, if we can just get both sides to play to their potential, this team can really beat anyone in this league.
Byron Jones is key to get this defense on track
It will be interesting to see if Byron Jones ever gets healthy enough to play this year. Without him our defense can’t blitz as its designed. Last year, when we ripped off 7 straight victories towards the end of the season, it was because of stellar defensive play. If the Dolphins can find a way to play like that on defense for the rest of the season, then this team can truly be special.
What’s so exciting about this team is that without playing our best football Miami has a 6-3 record! If they can put it all together Miami will be downright scary!
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins news fans thoughts about how we can improve and continue to win football games?