POLITASPORTS

When do you stop and say “this isn’t working?” Why do we label that failure in sports? The Wright Brothers built seven machines in their quest to fly, that was of course at the “tinkering stage,” during the earlier “development stage” they went through many more modifications. They designed and tested over 200 different types of wings alone. They had to create their own engine as they couldn’t find a suitable one on the market. At every stage they had to make the decision “this isn’t working” and readjust. They didn’t call it a failure or a re-build or any other such nonsense. Just Mission Mandated Modifications. Miami needs to make modifications. There may not be many that can be made in five days heading into a Saturday road playoff game, but there are strategic tweeks that can be applied. Buffalo and Baltimore prove this team is what many believed them to be after the failures of the first half of the season. 0-3 in the games that mattered most before the bye week and 1-2 to end the season, including 0-2 with the division on the line. Miami can’t “run it back” next year and anyone who believes they can, are part of the problem.

Jump to Grades: Coaching || Defense || Quarterback || Special Teams || Running Backs || Officials || Receivers || Overall ||

Coaching: (F); Neither coach passes this grade. The defense, contrary to popular opinion, was porous on Sunday Night Football. Yes, they came up with turnovers deep in their own territory and a key stop just before half, but Buffalo stampeded down the field all evening. The goal line tackle to end the half was great, the prevent defense the play before was incredulous. The two interceptions were more on Josh Allen than great defensive plays and you can’t depend on those toward future success. The Wilkins strip sack recovery was an amazing defensive play, the best of the night. However, the play that most summed up the effort of the defense was the 3rd and 13 double conversion with 3 minutes remaining. Josh Allen breaking tackles on his way to a 15 yard scamper that wasn’t even needed because Ramsey gifted Buffalo the first down anyway with a hold on the opposite end of the field is classic Miami Dolphins winter failureball, sorry, football.

Coach MnM needs to consider handing over play calling duties. Either he is incapable of calling a complete game, or he doesn’t trust his personnel, if it is the latter, whom doesn’t he trust? Achane was dominating the game, Buffalo didn’t make any drastic changes defensively during the break, why go away from the counters that were so effective in the first half? When Miami forced Buffalo to punt for the first time to begin the 3rd quarter, the Fins needed to become ferocious. This was their moment to seize the game; McDaniel called pass, pass, pass. Keep in mind Achane averaged over six yards per carry and had a TD in the first half. They went 3 and out and wouldn’t touch the ball again until the twelve second mark of the 3rd quarter. Miami essentially had one possession the entire 3rd quarter. 

Jump to Grades: Coaching || Defense || Quarterback || Special Teams || Running Backs || Officials || Receivers || Overall ||

Running Backs: (B-); I can’t give out any “A’s” after that failure. Achane and Wilson Jr played well. Both averaged over five yards per carry, they only needed more touches. Achane’s 25 yard TD run was gorgeous and gave all Fins Fans hope this team was different; if only for a moment. 

Jump to Grades: Coaching || Defense || Quarterback || Special Teams || Running Backs || Officials || Receivers || Overall ||

Receivers: (F); Tyreek Hill added to his drop collection. I have mentioned this on multiple occasions this year. He has had too many drops in big moments. It is becoming an epidemic. Baltimore. Kansas City. Pilly. I’ll stop there as I’m not trying to rub salt in the wound. Would making that 3rd down catch have changed the game? Doubtful. Momentum is a pendulum, and all it needs to change direction is to reach its end, Miami never ended Buffalo’s. Converting a 3rd down, extending a drive, these small things can do that. Hill needed to make that catch. 

Jump to Grades: Coaching || Defense || Quarterback || Special Teams || Running Backs || Officials || Receivers || Overall ||

Defense: (C+); They kept Miami in the game. Truly they did, and at the end of the day even giving up the yards and drives they did, they held Buffalo to 21 points. The “number one offense in the NFL” should be able to win a game when all they need is 22 points. However, Miami doesn’t have the league’s best offense. That was a smoke screen that I pointed out early. I wrote this after week 7: “The Dolphins put up the exact same amount of yards this week as the Jets last week 244. That is awful and should put the “Greatest Show” stuff to bed.” You can see it in the “Philly” link I posted in the receiver section above. Miami has a big test next week in KC. It will be loud and cold. They played well in Germany, but this will be a TRUE road game, not like across the pond. They will have another QB that can get out of the pocket and keep drives alive, they need to eliminate those deflating plays. You can’t let a broken play with good coverage down field end up being a first down because you lost containment on the QB, it can not happen if you want to play again in the postseason.

Jump to Grades: Coaching || Defense || Quarterback || Special Teams || Running Backs || Officials || Receivers || Overall ||

Special Teams: (F); What other grade would they get? 

Jump to Grades: Coaching || Defense || Quarterback || Special Teams || Running Backs || Officials || Receivers || Overall ||Overall ||

Quarterback: (D); I’m being generous. The first pick was horrendous. The last even worse. His stats in the 50/50 games this year (games against quality teams) were abysmal and the Dolphin’s record was 1-5. Miami should not extend him. And they should bring in competition. Giving him the keys to the kingdom is preposterous. I like Tua. I like his energy, his personality, his thoughtfulness, what I don’t like very much is his QB play. He is a decent quarterback, I have repeated that ad-nauseum. Decent can win a lot of games in this league and even in the playoffs, when your team is outstanding (Flacco, Eli (x2), Wilson, McMahon Simms, etc). Heck when your team is INCREDIBLE garbage can win Super Bowls, ask the Ravens, Giants, and Eagles with Dilfer, Hostetler, and Foles. Miami is neither outstanding or incredible. They need amazing QB play, and they are not getting that from Tua when it matters. I X’ed that even with 3 turnovers Allen was outplaying Tua and that was before Buffalo took the lead, I was hoping for an answer to the punt return. Yes, a solid playoff performance, and especially an incredible run would help his future, but he should be on the hot seat. 

Jump to Grades: Coaching || Defense || Quarterback || Special Teams || Running Backs || Officials || Receivers || Overall ||

Officials: (C+); They did fine. 

Jump to Grades: Coaching || Defense || Quarterback || Special Teams || Running Backs || Officials || Receivers || Overall ||

Overall: (F-); Two regular seasons are now in the books. Coach MnM hasn’t fared much better than Flores, though I like him more. Flores’ record is brought down by his first year following Gase’s departure in what was an obvious “tank” situation. The fact Flores did not tank is probably one of the root causes of his dismissal. Flores was 10-6 and 9-8. That is basically McDaniel’s record the last two seasons only with one extra game when the NFL went to 17. Flores was run out of town, but McDaniel is above reproach? Explain? All because one coach didn’t like the starting QB? This is my problem with fake football tough guy mentality. Just admit you made a mistake, find it, and fix it. Going back to the drawing board isn’t quitting, it allows you to modify the mistake in order to make the machine. I’m not advocating throwing the baby out with the bathwater or severing my nose to spite my face, but use a handkerchief and wipe the snot. Miami isn’t Europe, they don’t need to reuse the same bath water with every child, drain it, fill it back up like the beautiful Venetian Pool, every single day for 101 years and I’m pretty sure not one baby has been thrown out. Though they should let the kids jump off the rocks again, too many soft little millenials and gen z Fins Fans that act like any criticism is bullying. Injuries is an excuse, not a reason. Win in KC worry about everything else after that. I don’t care where they fly to after. Just win in the Show Me state, I would love to send my Missouri in-laws some mean texts afterwards. Love you Buela and Gunpa. 

Jump to Grades: Coaching || Defense || Quarterback || Special Teams || Running Backs || Officials || Receivers || Overall ||