The Phins landed plenty of heavy blows, but mistakes cost them the game
The Miami Dolphins fell to the Seattle Seahawks Sunday in an up and down slugfest. Miami showed plenty of spunk against an elite team, but too many sloppy plays spoiled the upset. Despite being 1-3 on the season, fans should remember that Miami has been beaten by three teams with only 1 loss between them. But, the Phins have two beatable teams coming up, so they must have more than moral victories against the 49ers and Bronco if they want to make something of the 2020 Season.
Still, if you keep one eye the present and one towards the future, things are looking up.
I can’t deny I screamed at the T.V. a few times because of some ‘same ole’ Phins’ moments. On the flip side, there were plenty of big times plays that had me also saying these aren’t the ‘same ole’ Phins’! It was one of the most bi-polar experiences I’ve had as a Dolphin fan in quite some time.
Boneheaded plays that killed a magical moment
- CB Xavian Howard caught napping against D.K. Metcalf in the 1st Qrt and gave up a big play that led to a touchdown.
- Brian Flores didn’t challenge the forward pass ruling against Fitzpatrick, which would have been overturned and keep a drive rolling. It was so obvious and they were punting, so there was plenty of time to see the replay.
- Noah Igbinoghene gave up a huge play just before the half and was also caught napping for a TD to Metcalf in the 2nd Half
- Fitzpatrick missed two open receivers and forced a throw late in the game that was intercepted. While he was under pressure and down 9 pts with just under 5mins, but it was 1st Down with time enough to win.
- Sticking Jordan Howard in at RB on a critical drive. It isn’t all his fault, but he and this O-line just aren’t a good mix.
Plays that make me believe
- The Bobby McCain hit on Metcalf to break up the pass was beautiful. McCain has played very well this season.
- There were a half dozen beautiful and clutch catches by Ford, Gesicki, Williams, and Parker.
- A ballsy call to decline a penalty left Seahawks with a 4th and 3. Miami not only stopped the Seahawks but added an exclamation mark with a sack.
- Xavien Howard had a clutch pick in the endzone.
- Miami managed a semblance of a run game against the 2nd best in the NFL and limited Seattle only one sack on Fitzpatrick.
The Phins had a bunch of players step up and look to be part of the future
- WR DeVante Parker was injured early but came back quickly and had an outstanding performance. Other than a drop on 3rd Down, he proved himself worthy of his new contract.
- Many are ho-hum about RB Myles Gaskin, but his performance against the 2nd best run defense on Sunday made it harder on his detractors. He had some very nice runs that showed something more than run of the mill RB.
- DT/ DE Zach Seiler played plenty had played well. He is starting to lap the play of veteran Davon Godchaux. Can we get him resigned ASAP, please?!
- Isaiah Ford was targeted 10 times and had 4 receptions. Mostly, this disparity was because of quality coverage rather than poor play on his part. He flashed in a couple of very nice plays.
- DE Shaq Lawson had another good game and fellow Free Agent DE Emmanuel Ogbah had his best game as Phin. Lawson looks to be a good pick up… now if Ogbah can keep playing like this, Miami will be in a very good place.
- Overall, the coordinators looked good, especially OC Chan Gailey. The concern that they weren’t the right picks is slowly fading into the backdrop.
- S Jomal Wiltz is slowly gaining strength and has had a good season so far. His blow dislodged a certain TD catch by Metcalf. It’s time to put an eye on his play a little more.
- Jakeem Grant keeps making plays and you have to wonder if he isn’t done proving his worth.
- LB Kamu Grugier-Hill is finding his way and taking snaps from others. I expect this to continue.
- Rookie S Brandon Jones is still outplaying former Phins safety Minkah Fitzpatrick by a long shot.
- We have kicker Jason Sanders… ‘Nuff said!
Phins players earning a trip out of town
- Nik Needham was a surprise player last season. This season he’s been a disaster. You can bet with the best pay per head review sites that Needham is on the road for a demotion.
- RB Jordan Howard isn’t a good fit for this offensive line. He isn’t agile enough to wend his way through so much early traffic.
- LB Jerome Baker had some great stats Week 1, but since then he’s been ineffective at best and at worst a liability.
- LB Elandon Roberts posted stats this week, but there was a lot of ugly to go along with them. Miami must spend a high pick in the 2021 Draft on a linebacker. Seattle showed how valuable quality linebackers are.
- DT Devon Godchaux is falling farther and farther down the pecking order. He just isn’t a good fit for this scheme and most of the successful runs are right at him.
Miami has two critical (but winnable) games coming up
I see this loss as a push as far as expectations. I expected this game to be a close one and hoped for a win. And, really they could have pulled off the upset… but, there’s that ‘should of could of, would of’ thing. Miami will start cementing its 2020 image over these next two games, so be a little more patient Phins fans. If Miami enters Week 7 with a 3-3 record… that’s not too shabby. Go Phins!!!