Jets vs Dolphins will tell us what is what… short and long term
The Miami Dolphins have been up high and down low this season like a yo-yo, but this week against the New York Jets is defining moment for the 2022 Season… and maybe beyond. Whatever happened up until now is the past. That can’t be changed, but Miami can disprove the key knock on them over the years of crumbling in the crunch by getting the win and going to the postseason. Nothing less than a win will be acceptable.
Now, Miami also needs a Patriots loss, but they can’t control that. Whatever the Pats do is on them, Miami must notch the “W”…
…or we’ll see an ugly offseason full of turnover and doubt.
While the Phins can make it happen, the million-dollar question is will they?!
Forget about the Postseason & Offseason
Anything beyond Week 18 is for another day because whatever you think will come or not, it will be determined by the outcome this week. So, let’s stay laser focused on the moment and judge the results after the game.
Miami is playing a tough Jets defense with a potent pass rush that beat the snot of Skylar the last time they met. Considering Skylar’s been getting first string reps and Teddy has a dislocated finger, it appears there’s a collision course for a rematch of the rookie verse the Jets defense. Miami’s 2022 team was built around Waddle and Hill, so Skylar must be kept upright as much as possible to get them the ball, if they want to win. This puts the spotlight on the Dolphins offensive line, which without Terron Armstead has been mostly offensive.
Will Terron be healthy enough to play?
You can bet with the best pay per head that this is the most critical key because Miami is short at tackle and if Greg Little has to start, it could be a very, very long day.
If Terron does manage to start, the next question is who will play left guard?
Mike McDaniel made the curious decision last week to start Liam Eichenberg over Robert Jones. What made it more curious is McDaniel’s gameplan was run based, which Jones excels at on Inside Zone runs. Eichenberg is a good kid, but at the moment, he’s a terrible guard. He gave up seven pressures last week and earned an abysmal 36.1 PFF pass blocking grade and a 36.0 PFF Overall grade. Does McDaniel stick with Eichenberg or does he go back to Jones? His decision and how it plays out will be critical to this game and how the rookie Head Coach should be viewed.
Last week, the move graded out as a big, fat “F”! McDaniel’s move at the position in this pivotal game better improve a hellava’ lot this week!
We run the ball & protect and our chances are excellent
Jets have an excellent defense, but quarterback Mike White is of average talent and hurt will be behind an their offensive line is as beat up as ours. Miami spent a ton on pass rushers, and since they can stop the run, if we can block on offense, get ahead and make the Jets chase us with the pass, you have to believe we should be able to seize this game and never look back?
Problem is the pass rush has been stale and Bradly Chubb might or might not play.
But Miami has to get after the quarterback no ifs, ands, or buts because even if Xavien Howard plays this week, he’ll be limited weakening an already week secondary. Without a steady pass rush, the Jets talented receivers will carve up our secondary if White has the time.
So, the three keys this week will be blocking, rushing the football, and pass rush. Sadly, Miami has struggled most of the season to do these three things even adequately.
Let’s hope they turn it on in these three areas this week because it’s now or never. Go Phins!!!
