With 5 games remaining in the season, the Miami Dolphins are in the thick of the AFC Playoff race. Even better news is the Phins are playing at home over their next three games. So in this critical stretch, they have a strong advantage, especially against the Bengals who are their weakest remaining opponent. Miami looks to be a ‘lock’ to be 6-4 heading into the 4th quarter of their 2020 Season! What a shock considering how the media painted 2020 as another ugly year for Miami.
Tua gets the perfect tune-up game
The various PPH Bookie services have the Dolphins as a BIG double-digit -12.5 point favorite against the Joe Burrow-less Bengals. I truly can’t remember the last time the Dolphins were this big of a favorite. It must be years since they’ve had this level of belief from Vegas.
The Dolphins just need to stick to the script and play smart and physical football to get the victory. Playoff caliber teams take care of business and win these types of games. However, no NFL team will just lay down and give you a victory… so the Dolphins will need to earn this victory.
Another solid performance on defense is key to beating the Bengals because they’ll be without their starting QB. Miami just needs to continue with the relentless pressure and continue to get turnovers.
Tua just needs to get all the experience he can get
On offense, regardless of who plays QB, the Dolphins need to score points. Coach Flores has already stated that if Tua is healthy he is going to play. That’s fine because we need to see more from Tua. In Tua’s four starts, pressure has been his Achilles Heel. This is why he needs all the experience he can get because every snap will get him more used to the NFL game. Also, the Dolphins must see how Tua responds to his benching. Tua has the smarts and the work ethic to improve over time… if he stays healthy enough to play through long stretches of games.
Yeah, Coach Flores said this isn’t a ‘dress rehearsal’ for Tua this season, but Miami has two 1st Round and two 2nd Round picks in the 2021 Draft. So if Tua does continue to struggle, Miami should at least consider drafting a QB in the next draft. I’m not saying they would or should pull the trigger, of course. While I think Tua will be fine, the NFL is known to stand for ‘not for long’ for a reason.
Miami must have an elite quarterback to win consistently
Yeah, this might be a bit too much for some fans to hear. But Fitzpatrick is a free agent and will move on to get one more chance to start. This means we literally have no one behind Tua in the 2021 Season. As much as we all love Tua, the team comes first. At least if Miami does select a young QB early Tua gets immediate competition, which is always a good thing.
The only way for Miami to really turn this franchise around is with a top-flight signal-caller, so there’s no reason to stop trying to find the next Dan Marino. Let’s hope it’s Tua. These next five games are the perfect opportunity for him to prove he is both durable and the Dolphins leader of the future. Wouldn’t that be the perfect Christmas present for Phins fans!
What are the rest of the Miami Dolphins fans’ thoughts about the Dolphins taking care of business this Sunday and getting to 8-4?
Great to hear from you too, Fred. Deiter will be the starting Center next year I believe. He had a terrible diet in college and had more of a boy body than a man. Don’t think they’ll resign Karras… maybe. But, I’d better Deiter will take the center position. Good point. This is so much fun, Fred. This is the best all-around situation in forever… and it looks to be around for some time. Not sure about the record… Tua will start today it’s being reported early this morning. I want to win now… and I wanted Fitz to keep going… BUT, I am now leaning in towards Tua starting as he needs the exp and Flores needs to see what he can do before next year’s draft. I’ll be happy either way. I still think they should draft a QB next year anyway… Jimmy kinda’ is saying that now. He is a Tua fan from college. I didn’t have that because I don’t really watch the college game… he’s starting, so this week and next will be big! Have a great Christmas and New Year’s if I don’t speak to you before then!
Miami should win with either QB. Flores should be free to swap them to win. Tua will get experience anyway. Next year there will be a preseason. Playing against KC next week will be a better learning opportunity. Especially if he is not 100% now.
Jimmy wrote this one. As for me (M.J.), I’m a believer that Fitz should carry us through the rest of the season because he offers the best chance to win. I’m of the mind Tua will be fine with time. The only concern I have is his durability and how good he’ll actually be. My take is his floor is above average when he settles down. So, I’m not worried and like you, he has next year to settle in. I do think no matter what the Dolphins should draft a second QB as the chargers did with Brees and Rivers. We have a ton of picks and if both QBs are good, we can trade one. If we just go with Tua and he gets hurt or whatever and we don’t have a legitimate backup plan, then we’ll be only okay and not good enough for a SB win. I personally love Tua. I want him to be the elite QB the Phins need… But, there are so many things that can come between that that have nothing to do with Tua not being good. We have so much ammo that a quality second option even as a quality backup that we can’t rest everything on him. I would like to see how he’d respond with the remaining schedule though. But, I also love Fitz and think because of his exp he is the best option right now–but, the future is maybe even more critical. I’m old and having a hard time keeping my eyes on the future after so many years of failure. If Tua had played last week and done even okay against that pressure I would have thought differently. Right now though, each game and win is soooo critical. It’s a tough call… I go back and forth. Sucks he banged that thump as it really throws a monkey wrench in the direction. I agree that KC is a better opportunity to show what he is made of though. We are considered unlikely to win it, so if things go well and we win it would be huge for Tua and if not, it was expected.
Great to hear from you too, Fred. Deiter will be the starting Center next year I believe. He had a terrible diet in college and had more of a boy body than a man. Don’t think they’ll resign Karras… maybe. But, I’d better Deiter will take the center position. Good point. This is so much fun, Fred. This is the best all-around situation in forever… and it looks to be around for some time. Not sure about the record… Tua will start today it’s being reported early this morning. I want to win now… and I wanted Fitz to keep going… BUT, I am now leaning in towards Tua starting as he needs the exp and Flores needs to see what he can do before next year’s draft. I’ll be happy either way. I still think they should draft a QB next year anyway… Jimmy kinda’ is saying that now. He is a Tua fan from college. I didn’t have that because I don’t really watch the college game… he’s starting, so this week and next will be big! Have a great Christmas and New Year’s if I don’t speak to you before then!
Miami should win with either QB. Flores should be free to swap them to win. Tua will get experience anyway. Next year there will be a preseason. Playing against KC next week will be a better learning opportunity. Especially if he is not 100% now.
Jimmy wrote this one. As for me (M.J.), I’m a believer that Fitz should carry us through the rest of the season because he offers the best chance to win. I’m of the mind Tua will be fine with time. The only concern I have is his durability and how good he’ll actually be. My take is his floor is above average when he settles down. So, I’m not worried and like you, he has next year to settle in. I do think no matter what the Dolphins should draft a second QB as the chargers did with Brees and Rivers. We have a ton of picks and if both QBs are good, we can trade one. If we just go with Tua and he gets hurt or whatever and we don’t have a legitimate backup plan, then we’ll be only okay and not good enough for a SB win. I personally love Tua. I want him to be the elite QB the Phins need… But, there are so many things that can come between that that have nothing to do with Tua not being good. We have so much ammo that a quality second option even as a quality backup that we can’t rest everything on him. I would like to see how he’d respond with the remaining schedule though. But, I also love Fitz and think because of his exp he is the best option right now–but, the future is maybe even more critical. I’m old and having a hard time keeping my eyes on the future after so many years of failure. If Tua had played last week and done even okay against that pressure I would have thought differently. Right now though, each game and win is soooo critical. It’s a tough call… I go back and forth. Sucks he banged that thump as it really throws a monkey wrench in the direction. I agree that KC is a better opportunity to show what he is made of though. We are considered unlikely to win it, so if things go well and we win it would be huge for Tua and if not, it was expected.