Fitzpatrick is missing & Phins will need Tua even more
After the miracle comeback win in Las Vegas, the Dolphins had a lot of dominoes fall their way, putting them in a great position to make the playoffs. Incredibly, if Miami does make the postseason, it will be only their 4th trip over the last twenty years: 2001, 2008, and 2016! Given this history, how big is this game?! Considering that Miami hasn’t won a playoff game since 2001, the Phins fanbase is absolutely ravenous for some success… even if it’s just making it to the Wildcard game.
I won’t even try to describe how Phins fans would react to a Wild Card win!
Miami’s hopes of a playoff appearance are both simple and complex. If Miami wins, they’re in! If the Phins lose, then they can still get in IF any of these three teams lose next Sunday: Colts, Ravens, or Browns.
There you go in a nutshell.
Phins have control, but that road isn’t easy, unless…
Clearly, the best way to guarantee a playoff spot would be to take care of their own business in Buffalo. Various price-per-head sites have the Bills as -2 home favorites against the Dolphins. The line would be a lot worse, but no one knows if Buffalo will opt to rest a lot of their starters.
Rest your starters, Buffalo! Come one, pretty please?!
Miami also have their own personnel dilemma…
… The question all week was why not go with Fitzpatrick?
Well, Coach Flores was quick to put that to bed and said Tua is the starter.
Tua didn’t play badly last week, but ALL those short passes weren’t enough. He just needs to continue to improve and understand that being open in the NFL is different than being open in college. Sure, Tua wants to protect the football and avoid turnovers… and that’s a very good thing. This is something he’s done very well so far this season. But, sometimes a QB has to take chances by throwing the ball downfield, even when the coverage is tight. Big plays are how QBs and offense succeed in the modern NFL.
The good thing is Tua has the best teacher on how to take chances and throw in tight windows with Fitzpatrick…
… But the problem on a more immediate point is Fitzpatrick has been absent from practice all week!
This is a huge situation! We’ll have to wait and see on this.
Only a complete game & full team effort can notch a win
Miami must start hot in all phases of the game and put together a complete game in Buffalo. They must score points if they want to beat the high powered offense of the Bills. Settling for field goals is not going to get the job done when getting into the RedZone. Controlling the time of possession is huge because the defense can’t play gassed against this offense. Tua leading the O to back-to-back three and outs would be a killer.
On Defense, the Phins will need to be prepared to stop the duel threat of Josh Allen. But, there is a chance they may instead face Matt Barkley or Jake Fromm. Either way, Miami can’t get torched again on big plays from wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who lit them up the first game for 8 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown. Howard should be matched up with him most of the game, who is looking to get that elusive 10th interception, which would be the first time a player had double-digit interceptions in over a decade.
A good day this Sunday may lock up defensive player of the year for Howard.
This is going to be a tough game and probably a cold one with 1-3 inches of snow is forecasted. Miami will have to pull out all the stops if they want to come away with the victory and lock up a playoff spot.
The big question is where is Ryan Fitzpatrick, who isn’t listed on the injury report? The biggest moment in Phins recent history may be ALL about Tua! Wow!
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fan’s thoughts about their chances to win in Buffalo in January?