POLITASPORTS

Game Overview

This is a difficult Monday. I’m a highly optimistic Phins fan; this was the first year in my life when I didn’t go down the schedule opponent by opponent and think: “they have a real shot at 16-0” and that was because this year I thought “17-0 is a definite possibility.” Last week I made mention of Flores having the players ready to play: “even when it seemed to Phins Fans that losing would be winning, these Flores Phins have come out willing to compete.” The Bills game makes me question that statement. Even going back to last year’s final game, with the playoffs on the line, they laid an egg against a very similar Bills team. Flores is now o-fer against the Bills, their current main competition in the AFC East and few of those games have even been close. If this was a bellwether game, they are trending in the wrong direction.

Coaching

I want to focus on the first half; when Dolphans still had hope the Phins may get back into the game. The second half was so atrocious that it needs to be wiped from memory. Talking with my brother, yes, that is him, he made the point that the next 5 games will determine Flores coaching future. Will he be able to erase this game and put together a winning streak vs playoff caliber opponents, starting with the 2-0 Raiders on Sunday? The next five games are as follows at Raiders, vs Colts, at Bucs, at Jags (across the pond), and vs Falcons. The Raiders are sitting at 2-0 and looking like a true playoff contender as are the Bucs. The Colts, Jags, and Falcons all appear to be at or below the Phins current level of play. My belief is you should win ALL the games you’re supposed to, and steal one or two you’re not. That would mean at minimum the Phins need to come out of these next five games at 4-1. That would have them nicely perched at 5-2 with ten games to play; half of which are “suppose to win” games including two against the Jets.

In the first half Flores went for it on two occasions. I believe in going for it almost every time when you are in positive territory (opponents side of the field) and have less than 5 yards to go. Year after year the average NFL play is 4 yards or more. Even the lowly Phins offense that barely managed to break 200 total yards averaged over 3 yards per play, both conversion attempts were less than 3 yards to go. I admired the decision, but didn’t like either play. Get your mobile QB out of the pocket and give him options. Especially the second attempt in the Red Zone, a run up the middle for no gain. This also marks the second game in a row that the Phins managed less than 300 total yards of offense. Don’t believe what they tell you, OFFENSE wins games. Always has, Always will. The goal is to outscore, your opponent.

Demerit(s): 5

Receiving

Parker dropped a TD that may have changed the entire game. The Dolphins’ D held Buffalo to 14 points in the first half even with the offense giving the ball away. This play would’ve absolutely sparked the team. This is the second week in a row DP dropped a VERY catchable ball. Add in Grant’s fumble inside the 10 and Waddle’s miscue on the punt return and it equals a game that needs the “Eternal Sunshine” treatment. Bad all around.

Demerit(s): 5

Running Backs

This is the second week in a row Gaskin averaged over 5 yards per touch. Last week I said “If Gaskin continues to perform like this, 20 total touches should be a minimum.” He wasn’t even given half that. Nine touches is not enough for your RB1, especially when he is gaining more than 5 yards per. And he is doing this consistantly, there hasn’t been a 30 or 40 yard gain anomaly. When you get beat 35-0, rushing drops off, but only 5 rushes in the first half isn’t viable. The remaining touches for Brown and Ahmed didn’t yield much. If Flores doesn’t have faith in this group, that should’ve been addressed this offseason either via Free Agency or in the draft.

Demerit(s): 3

QB

Tua got knocked out early in the game, but his 1-4 start for 13 yards didn’t solidify his position as a franchise QB. It is frustrating to see his progression especially compared to the other QB’s in the last two drafts. Herbert, Burrow, Hurst, Lawrence, and even Jones have all showed much more promise. Brissett didn’t play awful, and as a backup QB he did fine. The one INT he threw wasn’t great. A floater intended for an open Gesicki that should have been a big play. Add in the dropped TD by Parker and the fumble by Grant and Brisset may have had a much better result coming in for the injured Tua.

Demerit(s): 4

The Trenches

I like to judge the lines together. They are equally vital to a team’s success and for the Dolphins, equally poor. The D-Line again managed to not pressure Allen and came up with only one half sack, few hurries and less knockdowns. If they don’t start applying pressure on opposing QB’s the Dolphins will have little chance going forward. Giving up 143 yards on the ground doesn’t bode well either. On the flip side of the ball, another bad game for the O-line. Tua in his brief appearance was sacked twice and blindsided ending his day on his second possession. This is a harrowing trend that must be addressed. Another missed moment this offseason to shore up what has been a problem for several seasons.

Demerit(s): 5

Secondary

Howard made a very timely interception giving the Phins the ball well inside Bills’ territory, unfortunately the offense could not capitalize. However, Howard also gave up the Bills’ second TD to Diggs. The D had Allen flushed from the pocket on 3rd and goal with nowhere to go until he found Diggs throwing back across his body wide open in the end zone. Upon review, Diggs slipped and fell trying to run his initial route, once he fell, Howard seemingly gave up on the play allowing Diggs to get back on his feet and present himself an easy target for Allen. Holding them to 3 here again, may have changed the outcome. As it stands, the game was filled with “ifs and buts.” The linebackers didn’t provide much.

Demerit(s): 2

Officiating

Not even worth grading this crew when you lose 35-0. Even if they had ten blown calls, it wouldn’t have mattered.

Demerit(s): 0

Overall

Losing to your top division rival for the second time in a row by 30+ doesn’t bode well for Flores or Grier. I have not given up on Flores yet, if he is able to turn this around over the next five games as mentioned above he may just be the coach the Dolphins need to get the franchise out of the mire. I can’t say the same for Grier. He has been with the organization for too long to continue to field teams that are not quite good enough. The talent disparity on display Sunday was evident. They have had multiple first round picks in successive drafts and cap space to assemble a team that can compete and have failed to do so. He survived the Gase era, if this season continues as such, he should not survive the season.

Demerit(s): 5 (maybe I set my max too low. Getting thumped 35-0 at home deserves many more than 5)