POLITASPORTS

Miami came into Sunday having won three consecutive games and positioned to enter their bye week exceeding most rational expectations. My expectations when it comes the Dolphins have never been rational. I had them at 7-3; though I must admit, not all the W’s and L’s were in the same places. Looking at their schedule, and the strength of their post bye schedule, I believed they needed to be at worse, 7-3. I said as much a couple of weeks ago:

The next four opponents have combined to win 7 games out of 26 for a win percentage of .269. The Dolphins should head into their bye week at 7-3 with (currently) 1-4-1 Houston on the other side of two weeks of preparation. An 8-3 Miami team staring at their final six contests with only half possessing winning records at the moment? 8-3 gives Miami a real shot at being a 10 or 12 win team. However, if they fumble over these next four games; we’ll all be in the Jim Mora camp.

https://politasports.com/2022/10/26/week-vii-dolphins-vs-steelers-grades/

Sunday completed the necessary pre-bye win streak. If Miami can be sitting at 8-3 after Houston in Week XII they should be able to lock up a playoff berth if they split the 50/50 games down the stretch (@ SanFrancisco, SanDiego(LA), NewEngland, and NewYork) and win at home vs a struggling Green Bay team. This scenario would give them 11 wins not counting the one game left on their schedule where they will be clear underdogs, barring injury, (@ Buffalo). My philosophy has always been “win every game you’re supposed to, split the toss ups, and steal a game or two.” If you do this, you’ll most likely be in playoff contention or lock up a post season berth. Miami did this in the first half, even without Tua for nearly 3 full games and having to start their 3rd string QB in one. Miami with a healthy Tua is probably entering this bye at a minimum, 8-2.

Now on to the grades from Sunday’s win vs the Browns.

Coaching: (A); Hard to find issues with this squad, and yes, I am referring to the entire staff. The defense had their best game since early in the season putting pressure on the QB, stifling the run, and creating turnovers. The first two Cleveland drives had most of us contemplating another shoot out verse an inferior opponent, but once Xavier recovered that fumble on the Browns’ second drive, they (Miami’s D) started to find their rhythm. As one who consistently advocates for going for it on most 4th downs, I applauded McDaniel’s aggressive call early in this game inside his own territory. Though Miami only needed one yard, for a team averaging nearly 6.5 yards per play, that was not a call most coaches above JV high school football would make. Even so, it was the right one. Later in the first half Miami went for it once again on 4th down, unfortunately they did not convert. The defense however did their job and forced Cleveland into a play or punt decision, they chose the latter. On the missed 4th down, though I like the choice, I did not like the call. Cleveland stacked the box and Miami chose a RB dive. It was the obvious call and it was snuffed out quickly. All in all, a great game from the coaching staff.

Running Backs: (A++); This is the easiest grade of the day. The Dolphins had two RBs (Mostert and Wilson Jr.) with averages over 7y/c, three with a TD (2 rushing/Wilson Jr. and Mostert 1receving Ingold), two with over 60 rushing yards, and only the second 100 yard individual game of the season. Combined rushing and receiving this group accounted for 286 yards; nearly 60% of the teams total yards and 3/5 TDs. The offensive line should get special props after Sunday’s game as well. Nearly 200 rushing yards and ZERO sacks allowed. This was the best blocking game of the season, and it isn’t close.

Receivers: (A+); Tua decided to be a socialist and distribute to everyone equally; in economics it equates to shared misery, against the Browns it produced enormous success. Eight different people caught passes, Seven had at least 20 yards receiving, Six had a reception of at least 14 yards, Five had at least 4 receptions, Four had over 40 receiving yards, Three had a touchdown, Two had over 60 yards, and One had the best touchdown catch of the year for Miami. The only thing missing was a partridge in a pear tree. Sherfield’s grab in the 2nd quarter was spectacular. The pass was flawless, his leap was perfectly timed, and then while sailing out of the corner of the end zone to drag both feet in bounds was breathtaking.

Defense: (B+); The defense put forth a solid effort Sunday vs the Browns. They started off shaky on the Browns’ opening two drives; but once they forced the turnover deep in their own territory on Cleveland’s second possession they began to lock Brissett and his Backs down. All in all they held their opponent to under 300 total yards, forced a turnover (4 if you count the three 4th down stops), had 3 sacks, as well as holding Chubb and Hunt to under 75 yards combined.

Special Teams: (F); Jason Sanders missed TWO point after attempts. This is inexcusable. Imagine he had done that last week versus Chicago or two weeks ago against Detroit? Miami should at least try out a kicker, or two, during the bye.

Quarterback: (A+++); This was Tua’s best game of the season. See the “Receivers” section above. Tua has had some incredible statistical performances this year. He was 15 yards short vs the Browns of his 3rd consecutive game with 300+ yards passing, 3TDS, and 0 INTs. More than his stats were on display this past Sunday. He was composed against the blitz, he scanned through his entire progressions (8 different teammates caught passes), and he avoided mistakes. Not just the turnovers, but sacks, forced throws. The game was as near perfection as a fan could hope. Does he still struggle to toss the game breaking bomb? Yes, but I believe that is something to which he can adjust. McDaniel, Tua, Waddle, and Hill can get together and devise plays that has Hill and Waddle breaking open earlier allowing Tua to hit them over the head in stride at 25-30 yards, not 35-45 yards which causes them to slow up. His accuracy is there downfield, he merely struggles to get it over them so they can run under the ball and keep their speed.

Overall: (A); Miami is rolling going into their bye week. It has been a fun season to be a Fins Fan. Miami has had few moments like these over the last 2 decades and I will enjoy it; however, I remember other recent years when it came to winning one or two games down the stretch to enter the playoffs and the Dolphins came up short. This group feels different. I hope they prove it starting with Houston after the bye week. Also, celebrating today is the 1972 team after Washington crushed the Eagles’ dream of perfection. Pop your champagne guys, and maybe, come February, we can all have some.