Miami lost to the Pats, but fans need to be even keeled
Even in defeat, many Phins fans were encouraged after a Week 1 loss because the Dolphins showed grit and growth from last season. Even without Brady, the Pats are still an excellent team. So, Miami hanging tough and playing discipline on New England’s turf with their ‘loving’ home refs is a moral victory of sorts. But, as the week dragged on and the immensity of the Dolphins’ upcoming game against the Bills intensified, concerns began to bubble over with the fanbase. But really, fans need to keep Week 1 in perspective and hold off worrying… at least until after the Bills game.
First, let me hand out a big dose of ugly. If Miami loses this week their playoff hopes in 2020 are in severe jeopardy. So, I’m not ‘pooh-poohing’ concerned fans. Miami has a very tough string of games in Weeks 3-6: at Jacksonville, hosting Seattle, at San Fran, and at Denver. A win this week would be a much-needed buff…
… BUT, I want to keep things in context given what we saw Week 1.
Fitzpatrick had 3 interceptions… START Tua!
I really wish the NFL would hire professional refs. Two of Fitzpatrick’s interceptions Week 1 are prime examples of why the NFL has a bad rep for its officiating. This is just inexcusable officiating… if fair play is the objective?! Thankfully, Miami is playing at home where the officiating ‘should’ go in their favor.
Take another look at the blatant pass interference!
While this doesn’t mean the Dolphins would have won Week 1 or excuse their other failings, it does flip the narrative of Fitzpatrick having ‘3 picks’ and needing a benching. Also, when you look at this second pick, Miami center Karras blows switching on a stunt, and Fitz is forced into the throw on third down. Incompletion, sack, or pick… pretty much the same results with the LOS at the 46-yard line.
As for this week, focus on matchups
Miami took a real beating inside on defense. BUT, let’s remember that C Andrews, G Thuney, and G Mason are one of the best interior trios in the NFL. The Bills C Morris, G Cody, and G Spain are well below their production. Cam Newton is superior to Allen in his ability to throw and adding in an excellent interior OL and rushing skills, this was a lethal combo. Miami will have an easier task this week. With their excellent receivers and tight end, the Bills and Allen are dangerous! But, far more manageable overall for the Phins defense compared to the Pats in Week 1.
DT Davon Godchaux had a terrible game. Outside of one play where Godchaux shot the gap, he was abused all day long. His ugly PFF run stop grade of 44.3 was only beaten by rookie Raekwon Davis with an uglier 33.1 grade. Davis has the excuse of being a rookie. I hope Zack Seiler gets some more reps as he was more stout 2-gaping. Godchaux is excellent at 1-gap, but he continues to show he isn’t as good in 2-gap.
Also, Kyle Van Noy had an excellent game but was underused. Maybe if was his injured hand or the Pats forcing him to the sidelines? Either way, Van Noy had a run stop grade of 64.1. This is much better production compared to Roberts 39.2, Hill’s 41.3, and Baker’s 50.9. But, Van Noy saw only 24 run-D snaps compared to Roberts 39 and Baker 38. With Robert out this week due to a concussion, Van Noy will see more snaps.
Add these oddities into the equation
Williams falls down wide-open forcing a sack and killing a drive.
Parker had an excellent day with a PFF grade of 87.6. His absence was a major blow. Of course, he’ll likely miss this week, though.
Mike Gesicki was quietly having his best all-around game. His good play this week figures to be more obvious this week.
Bills will be without LB Matt Milano (hamstring), LB Tremaine Edmunds (shoulder), LB Del’Shawn Phillips (quad). The pay per head review sites know this is a major blow to their defense.
All the new faces and rookies have been bled now and many kinks should be ironed out.
For me, all of the above gives plenty of light heading into this week’s game.
Jimmy Bourbon isn’t very high on the Phins chances this week.While Jimmy runs the show here at Phinsnews… I gotta’ call it the way I see it. I see the Dolphins having a strong edge in this one. Now, rain is forecasted and wet turf would hurt the Dolphins’ ability to contain Allen. But, if it’s a clear–and better yet, hot… I like the Dolphins’ chances of winning this one. Go Phins!!!
Today I get to watch the game from the comforts of my family room now that I am back home from the Navy Reserve serving in a COVID19 response capacity. Last week I watched on the small screen of my phone and even then I could tell that the first pick by Gilmore should have been pass interference. In spite of the loss to NE, I think the dolphins are an improved team.
I think we will see a competitive game. Hopefully, a win. GO DOLPHINS!
hey, Frtiz! The loss of Jones 1 play into the game killed the secondary. Igbo is too green and Needham is slightly above avg. Diggs killed them both. The offense should have had more with the missing LBs… we are firmly out of the top of the AFCE. Allen has become a good decision maker and passer… Miami is in trouble for this season. The Pats and Bills are better. The goal I see for Miami this year is a strong finish and 7-8 wins. I don’t think I’m very high on this new DC either. Gailey is okay. He and the O did enough to win. This D can rush or cover. This will be a very tough game this week. 0-3 is looking very realistic. Jones could be gone for a while with a groin issue… not good news short term for the Phins.
I agree, the team is much better than a year ago, Flores is proving to be a solid coach. He will have this team ready to play.
Godchaux is somewhat of a liability. Glad we drafted DT Davis from Alabama. Guy is huge, just like Jordan Phillips, but better skills and attitude! I personally would like to see Godchaux replaced and used as a substitutional player. He is not a complete DL, or at least not yet. Struggles with 2-gap responsibility.
MJ, as I mentioned earlier, this team can not afford to go 0-2 in their division right out to the gate! We also can not afford a slow start and then begin to slowly gain steam as the season progresses. Doing these things will put us on the outside of the playoff hunt again, and there are now 3 wildcard spots. NO, we have to take charge now and win this game and go 1-1 period!! Next up is Jacksonville on Thursday night. Although it is a short plane ride to Jacksonville, I don’t need to remind you just how bad this team has been on national TV! Another winnable game, but we need mojo going into it! All the investment in the trenches, LB’s, RB’s has to start paying off. This team is very “beefy” up front on the OL and we need to start to lean on people and open holes for our RB’s to run the ball and average over 100+yards per game. Until we can start to run the ball effectively which will compliment the play-action pass and spread offense from Galey, coupled with run defense, this team will not have a winning record and NO playoffs either. It’s time for the off-season investments in draft picks and FA’s to pay-off~
I agree… 0-2 would likely mean 7-9 ish. But, the Bills are in Miami and down their top 2 LBs… if we lose, then we aren’t very good. We should win. RB and Gesicki should have good days with them either runnning back up LBs or nickel most of the day.
Again, the more I think about it, the Bills are playing without BOTH their starting LBs! Man, I will feel terrible if this offense doesn’t produce, Stephen!!!!
Stephen the loss of Jones after one play was brutal… this secondary was trash. Igbo is very raw and needs time. Diggs obliterated Igbo and Needham… this D is based on coverage, so we are in big trouble if Jones is gone for a while…
Today I get to watch the game from the comforts of my family room now that I am back home from the Navy Reserve serving in a COVID19 response capacity. Last week I watched on the small screen of my phone and even then I could tell that the first pick by Gilmore should have been pass interference. In spite of the loss to NE, I think the dolphins are an improved team.
I think we will see a competitive game. Hopefully, a win. GO DOLPHINS!
hey, Frtiz! The loss of Jones 1 play into the game killed the secondary. Igbo is too green and Needham is slightly above avg. Diggs killed them both. The offense should have had more with the missing LBs… we are firmly out of the top of the AFCE. Allen has become a good decision maker and passer… Miami is in trouble for this season. The Pats and Bills are better. The goal I see for Miami this year is a strong finish and 7-8 wins. I don’t think I’m very high on this new DC either. Gailey is okay. He and the O did enough to win. This D can rush or cover. This will be a very tough game this week. 0-3 is looking very realistic. Jones could be gone for a while with a groin issue… not good news short term for the Phins.
MJ,
I agree, the team is much better than a year ago, Flores is proving to be a solid coach. He will have this team ready to play.
Godchaux is somewhat of a liability. Glad we drafted DT Davis from Alabama. Guy is huge, just like Jordan Phillips, but better skills and attitude! I personally would like to see Godchaux replaced and used as a substitutional player. He is not a complete DL, or at least not yet. Struggles with 2-gap responsibility.
MJ, as I mentioned earlier, this team can not afford to go 0-2 in their division right out to the gate! We also can not afford a slow start and then begin to slowly gain steam as the season progresses. Doing these things will put us on the outside of the playoff hunt again, and there are now 3 wildcard spots. NO, we have to take charge now and win this game and go 1-1 period!! Next up is Jacksonville on Thursday night. Although it is a short plane ride to Jacksonville, I don’t need to remind you just how bad this team has been on national TV! Another winnable game, but we need mojo going into it! All the investment in the trenches, LB’s, RB’s has to start paying off. This team is very “beefy” up front on the OL and we need to start to lean on people and open holes for our RB’s to run the ball and average over 100+yards per game. Until we can start to run the ball effectively which will compliment the play-action pass and spread offense from Galey, coupled with run defense, this team will not have a winning record and NO playoffs either. It’s time for the off-season investments in draft picks and FA’s to pay-off~
I agree… 0-2 would likely mean 7-9 ish. But, the Bills are in Miami and down their top 2 LBs… if we lose, then we aren’t very good. We should win. RB and Gesicki should have good days with them either runnning back up LBs or nickel most of the day.
Again, the more I think about it, the Bills are playing without BOTH their starting LBs! Man, I will feel terrible if this offense doesn’t produce, Stephen!!!!
Stephen the loss of Jones after one play was brutal… this secondary was trash. Igbo is very raw and needs time. Diggs obliterated Igbo and Needham… this D is based on coverage, so we are in big trouble if Jones is gone for a while…