Miami is given one more hurdle to get over against the Bengals
The Miami Dolphins are coming off a huge win in a game that resembled more a meat grinder than football game.Despite this brutal contest, the Phins are on a short week and facing the defending AFC champs, the Cincinnati Bengals tonight. Now, added to a gassed defense, short week, and long list of injuries, the Dolphins had their final practice filmed in entirety and published online for all to see. The good news to all this is we now know Tua is playing tonight. But, on the downside, this adds just one more hurdle for them to get over to pull off a win tonight. A loss tonight should get some serious “rabbit ears” by fans… just as a victory should get lauded from the rafters given all the mitigating circumstances.
Miami must run the ball to help the defense
Star Bengals defensive tackle DJ Reeder will miss the game. Not only is Reeder a star but is also monster of a man at 6’3” 347lbs. His absence must be taken advantage of with some success and consistency with inside runs behind right guard Robert Hunt and center Connor Williams. Miami had some success against the Bills injured interior last week and it payed off big. They will likely need to do it again to give their tired defense a rest. This leak of the practice won’t make it any easier. It’s not the end of the world that this film leaked, but a smart staff WILL be able to use it to some advantage.
Miami needs stained drives and it won’t be easy to run at their edges with stud edge players Hubbard and Hendrickson. This puts a bullseye on the interior runs as the soft spot to run the ball on this Cincy defense.
Tua is playing and that’s BIG!
This will be a game where the offense must deliver and Tua will be key. You can bet with the best pay per head that the Phins offense must be very productive in both the run and pass to pull off a win. How they perform will be a great gauge to see where this offense with Tua driving is really at. But again, the leaked footage does make the evaluation a tad bit murky.
But even with this leak, the offense is rested after only playing for 21 minuets last week, and with Waddle and Hill, they must deliver. Defense will be key with turnovers from Xavien Howard and Jevon Holland, but I can’t see them stopping Joe Burrow and the Bengals offense cold on a short week after being on the field for 39 mins in the hot sun.
Offense must lead the way, no ifs, ands, or buts.
Win or lose Miami is doing great so far
Phins have shocked the world by getting to 3-0 and beating the Bills. With the Jets on deck after this game, 4-1 looks like the worst case scenario and that’s an amazing situation in the worst case. Given all this extra challenges going into this game, I’m giving Miami a mulligan if they lose. But, should they win… should they win, man-oh-man, this 2022 Dolphins team is on a sky high trajectory and anything is possible. It’s really a win win situation for us tonight. I like that a lot! Go Phins!!!
