Tannehill & McMillan Can’t Repeat Week 4 ‘NO Show’

Phins can’t afford Tannehill to be a ‘no show’ like he was in Week 4

Tannehill needs to thrive under pressure this week

I grew up believing that with Don Shula as the Head Coach there was always hope to pull off a win. Then Dan Marino came along and that hope doubled. Those were the good ole’ days.

Now the face of hope these days is a nondescript aqua that blows in and rushes out faster than it arrived.

For the last 20 years, hope has been a pipedream leading to a smelly sewer.

When Gase took over in 2016 and managed to make the Playoffs hope appeared to take a new shape. It quickly faded though with a very ugly 2017 Season.

The beginning of the 2018 Season offered some life over the first 3 weeks. But the Patriots choked it out and the Bengals gutted it.

Despite all the issues and ugliness so far this season, the Dolphins have a chance for a bit of redemption. Yet, the only way this opportunity can turn to reality is if Ryan Tannehill and Raekwon McMillan don’t repeat their ‘no show’ performance of Week 4.

Miami must stop the Pats run game and move the chains if they want the season-saving victory.

For those who’ve forgotten how victimized McMillan was in Week 4, here’s a film study of the abuse.

There’s no doubt that much of the same game plan that Belichick used in their 1st meeting will be recycled this week. Why not? McMillan hasn’t grown enough to dissuade Belichick from going back to the well.

Now, McMillan has the tape, if he can’t mind his P’s and Q’s and repeats the same mistakes… then he’ll be a liability for the foreseeable future.

But maybe the light bulb flashes and he does? This type of step-up performance would go a long way towards stopping Sony Michel.

Miami must limit the Patriots run game to have any shot at a win.

Do I think this will happen?

I believe in redemption stories, so I’ll cling with both hands to hope. Of course, I won’t bet with the pay per head services, Ace Per Head.com, that he will.

This regime can’t afford to throw another 2nd Round Pick out the door.

Then there’s Tannehill.

No, Tannehill’s scorecard of 11 for 20 for 100 yards with one interception and one fumble wasn’t all his fault. Kilgore, the Sam Young experiment as a wing blocker and Gesicki acting as a turnstile brought unneeded pressure on the QB. But, Tannehill folded like a cheap lawn chair when the team needed him to be a steadying influence.

Here’s a play by play study of the “Offense” in Week 4, if you’re a glutton for punishment.

Tannehill must embrace pressure and thrive under it at some point if he wants to have a career-defining victory.

Pressure will come this week for sure. Jake Brendel is a much better option than a wounded Ted Larsen… who is the lowest ranked Left Guard in the league. But as was said earlier, Brendel’s out this week. Travis Swanson is playing better than Week 4’s Center, Daniel Kilgore. Unfortunately, he’s playing on a gimpy ankle.

Despite all these obstacles, a win this week is possible. Miami’s win percentage at home against the Pats defies rationality.

A victory would go a long way towards bringing the mojo back and bringing real hope to make the Post Season.

Here are my keys to victory:

Ted Laren needs to be more than a speed bump and Travis Swanson must stay healthy.
IF the O-Line can be efficient, then the run game must be effective on 1st down.
Should both 1 & 2 occur, Tannehill needs to have ball security and make some early plays downfield to bring confidence to himself, his teammates, and the home crowd.
McMillan and the interior D-line must limit the run game. And McMillan can’t be exposed in the passing game.
When 3rd and long comes (see the positivity) due to the defense keeping Brady off schedule, Cameron Wake and Robert Quinn need to get pressure and hits on him.
Penalties and turnovers must be equal to or less than the Patriots.
Gase has to stay aggressive in the crunch. He must have his best game of the year in prep, play calls, and in Halftime adjustments.

Yes, this recipe is a tall order. Still, if you look at the Bengals, Colts, Bears, and Packers games, the Dolphins showed they can surprise despite total disaster being expected. No, not win the game… but surprise. While I don’t think it will be a Detriot Lions like lay down, I don’t expect a win either… likely something in between. That’s what my brains say at least. It’s Game Day though, and come kickoff, I’ll hope like hell for the win… at least till all hope is gone. Why not? That’s what a fan does. Go Phins!!!