This upcoming weekend the Dolphins will take on the Minnesota Vikings at Sun Life Stadium, and even if the playoffs are only a crack-pot dream it would still be nice for the Dolphins to get out of their funk and finish the season playing better football. The Vikings are 6-8 and have already been eliminated from the playoffs, but they are not going to lie down and give Miami the game. On paper Miami should win, however, in all likelihood, this will be a dog fight and a close game.
The Vikings are pretty much in the middle of the road in most statistical categories, however, their biggest strength is that they are ranked 6th best against the pass allowing only 216 yards through the air per game. It will be interesting to see how Tannehill and the offense respond after basically being ineffective in their last 3 games. They scored 16 against the Jets and against the Ravens and Patriots they were only able to score 13 points in the first half of both games and got shut out in both second halves. After the 36 points offensive explosion in the Bronco game, the Dolphins offense has been frozen shut in the month of December.
On defense, the Dolphins will be facing a rookie QB in Teddy Bridgewater, who has been erratic this season but has flashed potential. The best way to stop a rookie QB from having success is to put pressure on him and get him in third and longs, where the pass rush will have the opportunity to pin their ears back and attack. Bridgewater is lucky, because he does have some quality weapons in the passing attack in Jennings, Patterson, and Wright, so Miami’s secondary needs to continue to play tight and not give up any big plays over the top.
This is even a bigger game for Joe Philbin, because if he has any chance of remaining as the Dolphins’ head coach next season, then he needs to have his players pumped and ready to play against the Vikings. His job is already on the hot seat, so if his team comes out and puts up another disappointing stinker then most of the best bookie software sites like www.AcePerHead.com would say this could be the final straw that breaks Philbin’s back. Since the playoffs are pretty much a lost cause it will be interesting to see if Philbin can at least get his players to finish off the season strong, and respectable.
This game is purely meaningless, so much so many fans I speak to are conflicted on whether they want the Olphins to win or lose. Win? what does that accomplish? What does that prove? Lose? it seals the fate of a failed coach, and probably moves Hickey a pick or two up in the draft for next year.
This year is over. Why not look to next year starting now? There’s very little difference between 7-9, 8-8, and without playoffs 9-7 is meaningless…that is unless you don’t really care about the playoffs, just the optics of the W/L column.
Vikings are starting a rookie QB. they’re without Adrian Peterson, so…eh, winning doesnt prove a thing.
This game is purely meaningless, so much so many fans I speak to are conflicted on whether they want the Olphins to win or lose. Win? what does that accomplish? What does that prove? Lose? it seals the fate of a failed coach, and probably moves Hickey a pick or two up in the draft for next year.
This year is over. Why not look to next year starting now? There’s very little difference between 7-9, 8-8, and without playoffs 9-7 is meaningless…that is unless you don’t really care about the playoffs, just the optics of the W/L column.
Vikings are starting a rookie QB. they’re without Adrian Peterson, so…eh, winning doesnt prove a thing.