The Dolphins came in and played a great game, even though they had 3 consecutive turnovers in the first half of the game. Instead of falling apart, and becoming intimidated by the mighty Patriots, they came out in the second half and played with a passion that phins fans have not seen in a very long time.
The Dolphins had a very encouraging start to the game with the blocked punt, and then a quick touchdown. However, after that, the offense got sloppy with fumbles and turnovers, but the defense stayed strong and only allowed 10 points off the 3 turnovers, which left the Dolphins still in striking distance for the start of the second half.
Moreno was an absolute beast, and the spark for the offense, and entire the team in the second half, grinding out extra yards and scoring the last touchdown, which basically sealed the game for the phins. Moreno and Miller, with the help of the revamped offense line, provided a potent running attack the entire game, which shredded the Patriots defense for a total of 191 yards. I think it is fair to say that most sports betting software like Ace Pay Per Head Software fans would not have expected the Dolphin running game to be the back bone of the offense against the Pats.
In statistical terms Tannehill had an average game going 18 for 32 with 1 interception and a QB rating of 79.9, however he threw 2 touchdowns and was only sacked 1 time. But he made a lot of good decisions by throwing the ball away, and his command and leadership of the offense was visibly improved. In addition, his offensive line did a wonderful job all day protecting him and providing running lanes so Tannehill did not have to shoulder the entire offensive responsibility.
The defense completely shut down and shut out the Patriots offense in the 2nd half of the game. They sacked Brady 4 times and caused him to fumble 2 times. The Double Penetration boys of Wake and Vernon provided 3 sacks between the both of them, and look poised to have a big season. The line-backing crew which was a huge question mark coming into the season, suffered injuries to Wheeler, Misi, and Ellerbe. However undrafted Rookie McCain and long time back-up Trusnik, and Jenkins did an excellent job coming in cold off the bench. McCain was a play maker all game, blocking the punt, and providing a crucial sack on Brady.
Two random complaints I have is that Wallace needs to work on catching the ball with his hands, because he had a few body-drop passes, and Landry needs to work more on catching punts, instead of letting them bounce.
All in all it was an excellent second half for the Dolphins, who truly bullied the Patriots and out played the them for the victory. Now the Dolphins need to continue with their positive momentum, and go up to Buffalo and try to beat another division team that they always have problems with.
I bet they are telling Landry to let it bounce if he doesnt think he can field it clean.I dont think he did a lot of returns in college, so it would make sense till he figures it out. That bounce from the 30 to the 20 hurt.
Fields would have a field day with a returner that let his punts bounce first.
Overall, the fact that a young Dolphin’s team could play sloppily, allow turnovers, get in a hole against the Patriots then come back and slam them with 23 unanswered points while shutting Tom Brady et al off for a whole half is pretty special – we have not seen that much since Shula and Marino retired. Kudos to the team’s heart. Held it together even when the battle was going against them – maybe a little of that Spartan Shield is in their hearts. Two of my three big worries for the year are answered. The new OL is at least good, maybe very good. And the running game behind Moreno looks very credible. The third worry – the LB – is a work in progress but the fact that LB play did not degrade when the backups came in and the fact that we have Chris McCain as a can-do playmaker is pretty encouraging. Offense was heavily slanted to throws to Wallace rather than spreading it around as I expected. Doubt that will be the year’s pattern. But it does not give Buffalo much to prepare with – a plus. The Tannehill-Wallace connection is a work in progress with improvement needed on both sides although in this game Wallace bears the brunt of the disconnections. I expect both will evolve together over the season. The fact of scoring 23 points in a half is pretty encouraging for the offense – have not seen that much in recent decades. Kudos to Lazor and also to Hickey. Defense was all-in-all solid. Great DL led by the absolute model of attitude-training-fitness- technique-diet-perfection Cameron Wake. LB need work but were not weak enough to allow Brady, the master of picking on weak players, to pick on. Secondary also needs work esp on shorter passes but held the line on long passes. Coyle’s group did their jobs. I have not always been an enthusiastic Coyle fan but his unit performed well.
Yeah have not seen this type of passion from a Dolphins team in ages. Lots of encouraging things to look at. The scary part is if the dolphins did not turn the ball over 3 times, and had a Sims dropped touchdown, a Wallace out of bounds touchdown, and another touchdown called back because of a pentaly, the Dolphins could have totally embarrassed and blown out the Patriots. I will not go and say this looked like a changing of the guard type game in the AFC East, but if the Dolphins win in New England later in the season, in similar style then this game was the true turning point of the Dolphins rise in the AFC.
Great point about Tannehill seeming to focus mostly on Wallace and not really spreading the ball around to other play makers like Hartline and Gibson. This should definitely be an advantage going into Buffalo.
I hate the guy, but i think Tanny should go watch some Big Ben to Wallace plays. I dont see too many miss communications with them.
I bet they are telling Landry to let it bounce if he doesnt think he can field it clean.I dont think he did a lot of returns in college, so it would make sense till he figures it out. That bounce from the 30 to the 20 hurt.
Fields would have a field day with a returner that let his punts bounce first.
Overall, the fact that a young Dolphin’s team could play sloppily, allow turnovers, get in a hole against the Patriots then come back and slam them with 23 unanswered points while shutting Tom Brady et al off for a whole half is pretty special – we have not seen that much since Shula and Marino retired. Kudos to the team’s heart. Held it together even when the battle was going against them – maybe a little of that Spartan Shield is in their hearts.
Two of my three big worries for the year are answered. The new OL is at least good, maybe very good. And the running game behind Moreno looks very credible. The third worry – the LB – is a work in progress but the fact that LB play did not degrade when the backups came in and the fact that we have Chris McCain as a can-do playmaker is pretty encouraging.
Offense was heavily slanted to throws to Wallace rather than spreading it around as I expected. Doubt that will be the year’s pattern. But it does not give Buffalo much to prepare with – a plus. The Tannehill-Wallace connection is a work in progress with improvement needed on both sides although in this game Wallace bears the brunt of the disconnections. I expect both will evolve together over the season. The fact of scoring 23 points in a half is pretty encouraging for the offense – have not seen that much in recent decades. Kudos to Lazor and also to Hickey.
Defense was all-in-all solid. Great DL led by the absolute model of attitude-training-fitness- technique-diet-perfection Cameron Wake. LB need work but were not weak enough to allow Brady, the master of picking on weak players, to pick on. Secondary also needs work esp on shorter passes but held the line on long passes. Coyle’s group did their jobs. I have not always been an enthusiastic Coyle fan but his unit performed well.
Yeah have not seen this type of passion from a Dolphins team in ages. Lots of encouraging things to look at. The scary part is if the dolphins did not turn the ball over 3 times, and had a Sims dropped touchdown, a Wallace out of bounds touchdown, and another touchdown called back because of a pentaly, the Dolphins could have totally embarrassed and blown out the Patriots. I will not go and say this looked like a changing of the guard type game in the AFC East, but if the Dolphins win in New England later in the season, in similar style then this game was the true turning point of the Dolphins rise in the AFC.
Great point about Tannehill seeming to focus mostly on Wallace and not really spreading the ball around to other play makers like Hartline and Gibson. This should definitely be an advantage going into Buffalo.