A Patriots defeat would be considered the biggest milestone of this Phins regime
Patriots are struggling with a must-win game at home this Sunday.
There wasn’t a single PPH bookie service like AcePerHead.com in the world that predicted that the Dolphins would be 3-0. Even among Phins fans, there were few that believed Miami would have a chance to cripple New England’s season heading into Week 4.
But here we are, nestling snuggly in dreamland, on the verge of an epic start to the 2018 Season.
Now with all that being said, beating the Patriots in New England is always a tough task. The Pats haven’t lost 3 in a row in nearly 20 years. So there’s that…
Let me re-emphasize: Phins are ON THE VERGE of ‘Epic’.
One in the hand is worth two in the bush… no matter how good the bush feels!
That could have been phrased better… anywho…
Let’s shut down all this talk about whether or not this is the end of the Patriots historic ride.
First off, the Patriots death has been heralded before. But their ride of division titles and the double-digit winning seasons have continued. So, even if Miami wins, I’m not buying any of this.
Secondly, this isn’t about their franchise… it’s about the Dolphins franchise. Miami is the team that’s 3-0 and has the chance to go 3 games up in the division… not the Patsies. If Miami goes in and takes care of business the story of the AFCE is about the Phins being in control. Nothing else. At least for Phins fans. For far too long this franchise and it’s fans have been far too focused on ‘Them’.
We are on the verge of ‘our time’.
A win Sunday makes the 2018 AFCE Division about the Dolphins going forward!
The Patriots are wounded and playing without Julian Edelman, who is finishing up a 4 game suspension. Miami won’t get a better chance than now to stick to stake into the heart of the Patriots with him missing. You can bet that once Edelman is back in the lineup he will drastically improve the Patriots current dismal offense.
So the ball is in the Dolphins court… will they serve an ace?
In September of 2016, Miami went up to New England with Tom Brady out. The fans felt the Phins were primed to strike the wicked witch down. Unfortunately, Miami laid an egg in the 1st Half… and despite a fierce 2nd Half, they ended up with an ‘L’.
Miami has the tools and momentum to beat a wounded Patriots team. This game is all about Miami being professional and disciplined. That factor is the great unknown… and will make or break this moment.
The Patriots receiving group has only contributed 230 receiving yards this season. This is the worst in the league for any team receiving group. Because of this lack of production from their receivers, teams have successfully double-teamed Gronk.
Will Matt Burke try and reinvent the wheel? Or will he simply take the successfully template used to beat the Pats offense?
The only wildcard is Josh Gordon.
The Patriots recently traded for WR Josh Gordon. He hasn’t seen a snap in 2018 because he’s still trying to get healthy from a hamstring injury. Gordon is questionable for the game.
If Gordon ends up being the X-factor that juices the Pats ‘O’ to life, then the Dolphins will have no one to blame but themselves. That would be downright pathetic. Xavien Howard needs to smother Gordon… until Gordon cries for his mama’. No other outcome is acceptable.
NONE!
The Patriots ‘D’ is giving up 25.7 points per game. Their rush defense is second worst in the league allowing 143.3 rushing yards per game. Yes, both Patrick Chung and Trey Flowers have been banged up and missed time, but both won’t be 100%.
Chung and Flowers are returning, but the Phins offense still has the edge
Miami went away from the run last week because the Raiders put 8 players in the box. It will be interesting to see what the Patriots game plan is because their run defense is currently worse than the Raiders.
Tannehill and Miami demonstrated that they can beat you in the air if you want to load the box against them. Tannehill needs a signature game… this week! End of story. Tannehill has been a piece of the puzzle so far. Week 4 is the time for him to shine and shine brightly.
Phins need to recreate the same formula that has ‘brung them’: create turnovers, protect the ball, put up points, play aggressively on Defense, and low penalties.
Given how the Dolphins defense has thrived, the Dolphins must continue to get to the QB. The #1 way to beat Tom Brady (really any QB) is with relentless pressure. The defense must stop the run and force Brady off schedule on 2nd and 3rd Downs.
Brady gets the ball out in the blink of an eye and the Dolphins are banged up on the D-line. This will complicate the Phins pass rushers job. Unless they stop the run on 1st and 2nd down it will be tough to get to Brady. With Hayes is out for the season and Branch is listed as out indefinitely the DE position is thin. Crazy to say it given how deep it was only a week ago.
So Quinn and Wake will get more reps then that have so far this season. They are studs. Wake especially deserves this win. He and Quinn need to take it. Second-year player Charles Harris must pick up the slack as well. Now! Time for Harris to shine. Harris was a 1st Round pick that was questioned… he needs to slam an exclamation mark down all his doubters’ throats.
The current line on the game is the Patriots at -7 with just over 3 to 1 more action on the Patriots compared to the Dolphins. Most are expecting same ole’, same ole’ with the Patriots and Dolphins match up. Not Phinsnews. Being 4-0 look too good to pass up. But until the Phins go out and do it, it’s all just that bird in the bush thing. We say Miami will be 4-0… let’s hope for all our sakes that we are proved correct. What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins News fans thoughts of the Dolphins chances to beat the Patriots this upcoming weekend?
This will be a true measure of where the Phins are. A win will go a long way toward silencing the media. A win in Foxboro will be a true indication that this team is poised to become relevant again.
Keys to the game:
No turnovers or win the turnover battle
Establish the run and stick with it
Surgical strikes through the air utilizing the speed at WR
No stupid penalties, must stay composed
Convert 3rd downs and win the TOP
Defense must sack Brady and limit Gronk
This week is going to be as good a shot of winning in Foxboro than we’ve had in a long time. Go DOLPHINS!
“This will be a true measure of where the Phins are. A win will go a long way toward silencing the media. A win in Foxboro will be a true indication that this team is poised to become relevant again.” You said it about as good as can be said, Fritz.
They have the best shot to do this in a long time. They must be smart and force Pats to beat them and not be beaten by themselves. I can live with that… if they do a Dolphins special and beat themselves I’ll be very disappointed.
Just a bit of Dolphins history, listed below was the beginning of two decade’s of trial and error + Insanity! Now we have the team who can reverse and restored the Dolphins Pride Back.
The 2002 Miami Dolphins season was the team’s 37th overall, and 33rd as a member of the National Football League. The Dolphins failed to improve upon their previous season ‘s output of 11–5, instead winning only nine games. The team missed the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.
“Now we have the team who can reverse and restored the Dolphins Pride Back.” So true. This franchise has been a joke for decades now. The fanbase and national media will go bonkers if we win… Such a critical point in the regime’s history. That said a loss isn’t death to the hope, but it will yank the reigns with very tough games on the horizon.
I said during preseason that our offensive line was fixed!
Time to earned their money.
“Let’s have more patience to established Gore and Drake”. This is where Gore Prime Time experience comes into play. “Frank Gore is Prime Time” and the Miami Dolphins 1st drafted Drake to create havoc/night mare in the secondary. This will opened things up for the QB and keep Brandy on the Bench. Atlanta and Settle passed themselves right out of a Supper Bowl Win buy neglecting their R/B’s. All n All its about team. The 2008 Dolphins beat the Patriots with a well balanced run/play action game and defense. The Fins can win the line of scrimmage.
Thanks, brother! Even without Sitton the OL is the best we’ve had in a bit. So many of these young players are stepping up. Some duds for sure… but there appear to be far more wins in acquisition than losses.
“Let’s have more patience to established Gore and Drake”.
Running is the key. I hate Gase’s calls of wide zone runs to the short side. They had a decent one against the Jets, but far more it’s been holding by James or a negative play… As you said PA is key to this O and Tannehill’s games. PA with a boot is so nice… but that run game needs to produce to get it! Go Phins, brother!!!!!!
This will be a true measure of where the Phins are. A win will go a long way toward silencing the media. A win in Foxboro will be a true indication that this team is poised to become relevant again.
Keys to the game:
No turnovers or win the turnover battle
Establish the run and stick with it
Surgical strikes through the air utilizing the speed at WR
No stupid penalties, must stay composed
Convert 3rd downs and win the TOP
Defense must sack Brady and limit Gronk
This week is going to be as good a shot of winning in Foxboro than we’ve had in a long time. Go DOLPHINS!
“This will be a true measure of where the Phins are. A win will go a long way toward silencing the media. A win in Foxboro will be a true indication that this team is poised to become relevant again.” You said it about as good as can be said, Fritz.
They have the best shot to do this in a long time. They must be smart and force Pats to beat them and not be beaten by themselves. I can live with that… if they do a Dolphins special and beat themselves I’ll be very disappointed.
Admin
Just a bit of Dolphins history, listed below was the beginning of two decade’s of trial and error + Insanity! Now we have the team who can reverse and restored the Dolphins Pride Back.
The 2002 Miami Dolphins season was the team’s 37th overall, and 33rd as a member of the National Football League. The Dolphins failed to improve upon their previous season ‘s output of 11–5, instead winning only nine games. The team missed the playoffs for the first time in six seasons.
“Now we have the team who can reverse and restored the Dolphins Pride Back.” So true. This franchise has been a joke for decades now. The fanbase and national media will go bonkers if we win… Such a critical point in the regime’s history. That said a loss isn’t death to the hope, but it will yank the reigns with very tough games on the horizon.
Good Read Admin!
I said during preseason that our offensive line was fixed!
Time to earned their money.
“Let’s have more patience to established Gore and Drake”. This is where Gore Prime Time experience comes into play. “Frank Gore is Prime Time” and the Miami Dolphins 1st drafted Drake to create havoc/night mare in the secondary. This will opened things up for the QB and keep Brandy on the Bench. Atlanta and Settle passed themselves right out of a Supper Bowl Win buy neglecting their R/B’s. All n All its about team. The 2008 Dolphins beat the Patriots with a well balanced run/play action game and defense. The Fins can win the line of scrimmage.
The questioned is Who are the Dolphins?
Thanks, brother! Even without Sitton the OL is the best we’ve had in a bit. So many of these young players are stepping up. Some duds for sure… but there appear to be far more wins in acquisition than losses.
“Let’s have more patience to established Gore and Drake”.
Running is the key. I hate Gase’s calls of wide zone runs to the short side. They had a decent one against the Jets, but far more it’s been holding by James or a negative play… As you said PA is key to this O and Tannehill’s games. PA with a boot is so nice… but that run game needs to produce to get it! Go Phins, brother!!!!!!