Just what the Doctor ordered
The Dolphins just completed one of their best and most complete football games in recent memory. They man-handled a very good San Diego Chargers team in every phase of the game. The final score was 37-0, and the game was never in doubt. Tannehill lead the offense throwing for 3 touchdowns and the defense caused 4 turnovers and 4 sacks.
This was a huge victory for the Dolphins and gives them a big AFC victory in their pocket for a leg up in the wild card playoff hunt. They were utterly dominant, however after a significant win like this the sports gambling world now has the Miami Dolphins on their radar as a team that needs to be taken seriously.
Tannehill continues to thrive using the read option and throwing short to medium passes, and posted another outstanding QBR rating of 125.6. The Dolphins are clearly streaking at the right time, considering this is their first of 4 very difficult match ups against 4 above average football teams. The biggest difference in this year’s team from years past, is that many different players are stepping up and making plays each week. Rookie Jarvis Landry scored a fantastic touchdown tight roping the sideline and continues to produce explosive plays on the kick return game. Brent Grimes continues to shut down the opposing team’s best receiver and was able to pick off Rivers twice. Lamar Miller continues to prove he can be the main back in the rushing attack and added yet another red-zone rushing touchdown. On a side note it will be interesting to see how serious his shoulder injury is, because if he can not play against Detroit, the Dolphins running game is going to be in serious trouble. Charles Clay is getting more involved in the passing game, and he added another touchdown catch. Rishard Matthews, Miami’s fourth receiver makes the most of his limited playing time, and added a 21 yard touchdown on his lone catch. Wake and Vernon, continue to terrorize opposing QBs, each contributing a sack, and Vernon also added a forced fumble on Rivers, which concluded Rivers afternoon.
The Dolphins are getting positive and game changing plays from multiple areas and players on the team, which sports gambling fans would say is the sign of a playoff caliber team. The Dolphins just need to continue to feed off this momentum and not fall into the trap of being complacent about past achievements. I do not know what other phins fans think, but this team to me has a feel of a dangerous playoff type team, with a stingy aggressive defense, and an offense that continues to spread the ball around the field and put lots of points on the board. It was a great victory, but if they want this run to continue, then they need to start thinking about beating Detroit next Sunday.
Great win. The upcoming game in vs. Buffalo will be big. Need to beat this team to start to establish sole possession of 2nd place and keep pace with Pats. Only real question mark for me is Sturgis. I don’t trust this guy to make key kicks when the game is on the line greater than 35 yards! Sturgis needs to start connecting on FG’s under 50 yards or else Philbin needs to look for another kicker! I know he was excellent in College and we wanted to shed cap money, but Dan Carpenter has been solid for Buffalo. Need a kicker we can depend on. The 45 yard FG attempt and miss was tough to watch for me, especially, as I watch other games and see their kickers make these all Sunday long! Go Fins and let’s beat Detroit. The Lions and Stafford can be an up and down team!
Totally agree about Sturgis, I have no faith in him what so ever in him connecting on a clutch kick of any distance late in the game.
Why Sturgis is still on this team is beyond me. I didnt like him from the get go. They should bring other kickers in and let Sturgis watch.
The past three games have been a sight for sore eyes!!! 2 road wins and a complete domination in there home game. Pump the brakes??? I think not, the next 2 games are thee most pivotal 2 games of the season. Another road game, and a home game against a divisional foe. 2 games that are 5 days apart from each other. If the Dolphins can find a way to win these 2 games and extend their winning streak to 5 straight games, playoffs are a REAL possibility, a division title is a real possibility, a top 2 seed in the playoffs are a real possibility. One if not more home playoff games become a real possibility.
The next two games will tell all, regardless. Catch a break, playing a Detroit team without Fairly helps; however, Mega Tron will be back (meet Grimes). Beat a divisional foe that has already beat us. And then, a sort of extended break, a time to heal, a time reflect, a time to rejoice, and a time to prepare, a time to regroup, a time to take a deep breath, a time to get away for a few days.
All in all, should the Dolphins win the next two games, they could be setting themselves up for a rewarding holiday season. Detroit will be another tough task, followed by the Buffalo Bills who have their own playoff aspirations. Followed by a mini bye/break for the entire organization/players/fan base to sit back and let the other teams knock each other off.
2 games, 2 opponents, 10 days from now,,,,, 7-3 or 6-4 or 5-5. Wow, what a difference one game, one team, one week can make. Find a way to beat Detroit, and play in a packed house on national television and position yourselves for a Happy Holiday Season!!!