POLITASPORTS

Another week another victory. Fins Up baby. McDaniel made a much more concerted effort in the running game this week and the balanced attack proved pivotal in delivering the W. Perfectly symmetrical with 30 throws and 30 runs on the night. The focus wasn’t just in the second half to protect the lead and drain the clock, it was from the opening drive, pushing the Patriots’ front backward from the start. Of all the things to be excited about this season, Miami’s offensive line play has to be at the top of the list two games into the season. Tua has been sacked only once, and the line has now shown they can create running lanes as well as pass protect. If the line can perform, this offense will only get stronger as the season progresses. That must be a scary thought for defensive coordinators across the NFL.

Coaching: (C+); Carrying over from week one the biggest question was the defense. Fangio changed things up a bit using the blitz more often and to greater effect. Miami sacked Jones four times, created turnovers, and tightened up significantly against the run (allowing less than 100 yards). It was a great game defensively. McDaniel, in my opinion, needs to be more aggressive. I did not like the first field goal nor the final field goal attempt. He should have gone for both, the touchdown on the first drive, and the first down on the final drive. Yes, on the final drive, a FG would have been the nail in the coffin; but a 55 yard attempt is not a “gimme” for any kicker, let alone a struggling kicker. Mostert averaged nearly 7 yards a run, it was fourth and two. That shouldn’t even be a difficult or “gutsy” call. It should just be automatic. It brings the grade down from an “A.”

Running Backs: (A+); This is the easiest grade of the day. As mentioned, Mostert averaged nearly seven yards a carry. Gaining over 120 yards and two scores with a long of 43 is stellar by any bar. If Miami can make teams prepare week in week out to stop the run, it will only open up the passing game that much more. If this team can even just be one and a half dimensional, they will be very hard to stop, if they can get a full second dimension? WOW! The “Greatest Show on Turf” will be eclipsed by the “Greatest Surf on Turf” or something like that.

Receivers: (A); Eight different receivers caught a pass, every receiver with multiple catches averaged at least eight yards a catch. It wasn’t the air show of last week, but it was a well rounded effort that along with the run game proved too much for the Patriots to contain. Hill remains on pace for his quest towards two thousand, and added a touch down catch. Good job.

Defense: (B+); Since last season, the defense was the largest single need for the Dolphins. After week one I was concerned the questions had not been sufficiently resolved. As the season progresses, if the Chargers game is the outlier and the Patriots game the standard, Miami’s ceiling is Super Bowl Champions. They may not reach those heights as many variables always must fall into perfect place; but that is not too lofty an expectation if this is how Fangio’s defense routinely executes.

Special Teams: (C-); Sanders has not lived up to the contract. As understatements go, that is on par with “Tiger is good at golf” or “Jordan can hoop” but I am trying to lower my BP. Last week I gave Special Teams a “D” for the missed PAT that breathed life into LA, this week it was a missed FG. But, the FG was a 55 yard attempt that NEVER should have happened. Miami needed to go for it on fourth and two from that position. Sending out your FG unit there and taking your dominating offensive line and best weapons off the field for an attempt that is 50/50 with even the best kickers was a coaching error reflected in the “Coaching”grade.

Quarterback: (B+); Tua is a quality QB. He is not elite. Can he become elite? I don’t know. It’s possible. There are examples of lesser talents propelling themselves to the top tier, but it is not common. He lacks the power to drive the ball downfield. This was evident when Hill was behind everyone and had to stop and watch as Tua’s pass fell yards short into the Patriots’ waiting hands for an INT. The Fins will win with Tua, because of Tua, and at times in spite of Tua. This is true of most quality and elite quarterbacks, but though McDaniels hides Tua’s shortcomings well, he can’t eliminate them. If Tua keeps playing like this though, Miami will win the division and challenge for home field advantage come play off time.

Officials: (D); There were some questionable calls, as in every game; however, missing an ineligible man downfield on a late touchdown throw is egregious. The one that had me fuming was the obvious neutral zone infraction on 3rd and long that could very well have helped to seal the game. Instead, the kick was blocked and gave life to New England. Not seeing Judon lined up offsides, the Bills’ sack leader, is inexcusable. If Miami didn’t gain a yard, it would have made Sanders’ attempt much less daunting at 45 not 50 yards. But Miami overcame, good teams do. The Fins are looking more and more like a good team.

Overall: (A); Undefeated. That is what matters most. The Broncos will be a tough test especially coming off that tough loss. I always get uneasy playing a team that just suffered a deflating failure. I hope the Sun is hot and Miami can protect home field on Sunday.