Dolphins are limping into Los Angeles after a string of brutal games and must make a gut-check.
With a long list injuries, the Dolphins resolve with be tested with a supreme gut-check.
Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams will a crucible of the will and fortitude for this Miami Dolphins team, testing it at it’s heart-of-hearts.
Forget the rookie Jared Goff and whether he can play or not. This will be Miami’s most difficult win of the year to pick up regardless.
Talent is on Miami’s side. Momentum is with them too.
But, despite what many think, the Miami players are human, and many of these bodies of flesh and bone are ablaze with hurt. And it doesn’t take the best pay per head expert to realize that’s not good.
Added to Jones, Howard, Misi and Cameron, now Albert, Pouncey and maybe Jenkins will be listed as starters who will be on the sidelines (Jenkins will surely at least be limited). But, added to that list you have Steen, Landry, Quddas, Bushrod, Williams, Jones and Stills as guys who’s bodies are near shutting down and are listed as Questionable.
And while the Rams lack talent, wins and momentum, they do not lack effort and physical play. They will run, run and run, and play hard-hitting, pressure defense. That alone, without many passes, could be enough to push several players past the human limits of endurance, which could very easily start a Dolphins collapse.
Miami’s Steen is battling a neck issue for his gut-check.
The one area where the Rams do have talent is along the Defensive Line. Aaron Donald is a top 3 interior defender, who, along with the rest of the D-Line, is licking his chops as they will be facing Miami’s most banged up and under-manned squad: Offensive Line.
Thin is a descriptive understatement for Miami’s O-Line unit, but it could easily apply to the team as a whole.
That’s why Miami must have its best game of the year in intestinal and mental fortitude to get a victory.
They can’t afford waves of penalties, or turn-overs, or injuries. In fact, a single one in regards to turn-overs and injuries could be crippling.
I want to be clear, this isn’t a knock in anyway towards the Dolphins. This is just the reality of being a human being who lives a life of perpetual car-wrecks. If Miami has the ability to overcome this one, then you are looking at championship caliber character and motivation — no doubt about it.
2016 Dolphins have come along way from the abyss of Week 5, and I’m excited about their future and proud of what they have overcome. If they can pull this one off, I will be utterly amazed at what this franchise is building. A “W” this week, and the sky is the limit. Go Fins!!!