This feels like a carbon copy of last week’s grades. Miami struggled offensively and the defense stayed in South Beach. Last week I was critical of the coaching staff and the quarterback; I had hope they would turn it around against what should have been an inferior squad, I was mistaken.
Sunday Night Football did not proceed as Fins Fans had hoped, but most are still willing to give Tua some slack, but not much. Tua still has more to prove, and much more to accomplish before those of us that have watched him and this team struggle the last several years are willing to brush off poor performances. Yes, most of the early part of this season he has performed well, though there were some missed balls and shadows of the lack of arm strength that have followed him throughout his NFL journey. These last two games aren’t enough on their own to cast him out with the bath water, but they also haven’t inspired hope that he can lead this team to a Super Bowl, which is the goal. Don’t lose sight of that. Every team has one goal. Making the playoffs would be great considering this team has been on the outside with their face mushed against the glass looking in for the better part of two decades. But that is not what you pop champagne over, that is not the summit. Miami now must win three of their final four games to have a real shot at making the tournament, and it starts on a short week this Saturday in Buffalo.
Coaching: (D-); Coach Mike and Boyer didn’t seem to have many answers for the Chargers’ offense or defense. The defense time and again failed to get off the field on third downs and the offense couldn’t stay on it. Miami failed to convert even one third down through most of the game and Los Angeles was over fifty percent. That isn’t a winning formula against any competition. The game this week appears as if it will be played in cold inclement weather, Miami hasn’t fared too well in those games, outside the Sleetsgiving Game in Dallas nearly thirty years ago, Thank you Leon Lett. Hopefully Boyer can repackage the game plan they used earlier in the season to confound and contain Allen and the Bills again and McDaniel can figure out a way for the offense to be explosive in cold wet snow.
Running Backs: (C-); Mostert outcarried Wilson even though he was only averaging 3 yards a carry to Wilson’s 6. When the not quite mobile Tua is the second leading rusher, that doesn’t allow for very positive grades.
Receivers: (D+); This group’s best play was on a fumble recovery that Hill returned fifty yards for a score. Waddle was a no show and no one had more than four catches on the day. The only play keeping this from a failing grade was Hill’s one deep TD from Tua in the fourth quarter.
Defense: (F); Allowing a team to convert half of their third downs, and several coming by way of idiotic penalties, leads to a fail. Miami needs to turn this around or they may be sitting at home come January for the sixth straight season.
Special Teams: (B); Morstead pinned the Chargers deep several times, but the D couldn’t capitalize on flipping the field. Sanders made his lone attempt.
Quarterback: (D+); Less than 150 yards and barely touching 35% completion, not a good day. The zero turnovers kept him on the upside of a failing. Tua needs to rebound quickly.
Overall: (D-); A deflating day to say the least. A win Sunday would’ve had Miami sitting in the Cat Bird’s Seat looking at the playoffs and allowed the Dolphins to control their destiny in the division; instead they need to play desperate these last four weeks to have a chance at playing after the regular season. The AFC isn’t doing them any favors as many teams are vying for the same precious slots in the wildcard. With two games remaining against potential Wildcard spot opponents in New England and New York Jets, Miami still controls their fate to make the postseason, but they’ll need plenty of help to win the division, even if they upset Buffalo on Saturday.
POLITASPORTS 