POLITASPORTS

Game Overview

For the first time since the end of week one, vs New England, Miami is sitting in playoff position. This is a phenomenal achievement for a team that started 1-7. The final two games are tough. With the AFC as competitive as it has been in recent memory, no teams will be sitting starters. Every team save three, (Jets, Jags, Texans) have playoff hope for which to play. The turnaround is worthy of praise, but the start should not be forgotten when evaluating this team or the talent which it contains. This will be a difficult offseason once it begins, later, hopefully, rather than sooner.

Coaching

Flores deserves as much credit as anyone for the about face of this team. I have come down hard on him throughout his tenure, and especially in the midst of a seven game face plant against many subpar opponents. If you stomp on the coach when the team is down, you must be willing to lift him when they shine. Congrats to Flores and the staff for helping the team reverse course mid-season. That said, Flores still frustrates this phins fan. Miami plays too passively, they settle for moderate to long FGs on 4th and short situations far too often (they missed one yesterday), they sprinkle too few deep balls down field to keep defenses honest, the team makes too many “dumb” penalties (offsides, false starts, illegal shifts/formations, too many men on the field), and he struggles with in-game adjustments. The Dolphins will need to be willing to take more chances over the next two weeks to beat two play-off contenders: Titans on the road and NE at home. I think they can do it. Win and you’re in, lose and you’re out. I have said throughout the weeks of writing this column, during the putrid seven game skid, and even during this streak. Baring a playoff appearance, moving on from Grier and Flores, in some capacity, must be greatly considered.

Demerit(s): 1.5 (Good game plan executed correctly in New Orleans.)

Receiving

This group doesn’t receive many opportunities throughout a game to really shine (you see what I did there?). When they get that chance, they must capitalize. Mack Hollins did that bringing in just one of two targets for a forty yard reception down the sideline. It was a critical moment in the second half and helped to put the game away. Waddle was again the primary target of Tua, bringing in ten of twelve targets for less than 100 yards. He also caught Tua’s lone TD pass, a short shovel on the goal line that Waddle used some creativity to squeeze in for six. It was Miami’s only offensive score. Gesicki and Smythe combined for six catches and 50+ yards. Not a bad day for an offense that only managed 173 passing yards on the night.

Demerit(s): 1.5

Running Backs

Just one game after having one of his best games, Johnson split the carries with Lindsay evenly. It was a bit befuddling as the Saints’ D-line was lacking due to Covid protocols, and he averaged more than Lindsay, but they each carried 13 times for mediocre gains. Adding in Gaskin’s few carries and the unit as a whole managed only 85 yards. Gaskin added one catch out of the backfield.

Demerit(s): 3

QB

I am not convinced Tua is a franchise changing QB. I am also not a QB guru of any kind, self professed or otherwise. Comparing him to predecessors and contemporaries however, he comes up, wanting. He will always be linked to his draft class, and unfortunately, he is arm and shoulders below Burrow and Herbert. If Miami can surround him, could he develop how Russel and Roethlisberger did? Going from above average game managers to game changing QBs? I see hints of both in Tua, but the Miami cast is not what the Seahawks or Steelers had around their two young franchise QBs early on, before they became franchise carriers instead of franchise guiders. Tua could guide a very good Fins team, I don’t believe he could carry a below average one. Marino carried mediocre, below average, poor, and garbage teams to the playoffs for 15 seasons, Tua doesn’t have that ability. Which may be a blessing, it will force Miami to build a team. Is Grier capable of making the correct calls?

As for Monday, Tua made two potentially game losing plays, his interception, on a ball heaved to no one, and his fumble, that could have taken points off the board. These are egregious errors that need to be eliminated, and can not pop up vs the Titans or the Patriots if Tua desires to lead Miami to the post season.

Demerit(s): 3.5 (Rookie mistakes, but he is no longer a rookie)

The Trenches

This is a mixed bag. The offensive line struggled mightily. The backs had to squeeze through needle eyes while the Saints poured through bore holes that would make the Oak Island boys jealous. Tua was sacked twice, fumbled once, and hurried repeatedly. Add in the drive killing penalties and this unit had it rough.

The defensive line? What can you say, eight sacks as a team, most of that created by the defensive line, either through direct pressure, 4 or creating space for Miami’s blitzes to get to the Rookie QB. Even Howard got a sack. Miami either sacked, hit, or pressured Book nearly every time he dropped back. 40% alone of his drop backs ended with a sack!

Demerit(s): O: 4.0 / D: 0

Secondary

The secondary contributed 4 sacks, 4 passes defended, 2 interceptions, and one pick six. This unit scored as much as the offense on Monday night. If you add the 4 passes defended and two pics to the 8 total sacks the defense recorded, that is 14 negative plays on 20 pass attempts. An incredible stat to comprehend. The Defense dominated this game, and the secondary was a major reason as to how. They will need to figure out containment on AJ while still getting proper pressure on Tanne to pull off the upset on Sunday.

Demerit(s): 1

Officiating

They made an egregious phantom hold call on a considerable gain that put Miami in the red zone with a first and ten. The call instead backed them up outside of FG range. Replay showed there was no excuse to mistake a missed block for a hold. It was a poor call, that possibly took points off the board. When officials give or take points, they become menaces and not moderators.

Demerit(s): 5 (this group doesn’t get the benefit of the doubt)

Special Teams

Special Teams outscored both the defense and the offense. Never a great sign for a championship team, but in a win, I’ll take it. Even with a missed FG (on his second attempt after the ‘ol timeout trick) he scored 8 points. They also downed a punt deep and didn’t give up any big plays. A nice night for the 3rd unit.

Demerit(s): 1.5

Overall

Miami has been in “must win” mode since week 9. Can they continue it through week 18? I truly hope they can. I know others have highlighted the 1-1 scenarios that still gets Miami into the playoffs, I don’t care about those miracle roulette wheel odds, win and you’re in. That is all. Unlike the majority of small businesses, No Help Needed, for the Fins. Grind these two games out. Earn it. Don’t stumble backwards into a forgettable post season appearance. Run head long at whichever team is waiting for you, scared of the team on a 9 game win streak. Let’s Go Miami! “Just win baby.”

Demerit(s): 1 (Above .500 for first time since week 1)