Every season has at least one game that comes back to haunt bubble teams. Last year it was the Nashville Nightmare. If Miami does a 180 and starts winning down the stretch. Last week’s ‘come from ahead loss’ vs Arizona will be that game. Since the early 1990’s only ten teams have made the playoffs after a 2-5 start. Most recently Green Bay last season. Should Miami lose this week at Buffalo, their playoff hopes will become ghoulish. According to CBS only two teams in NFL history have accomplished such a turnaround. The Dolphins are facing elimination the first Sunday in November. And against a division rival on the road. Buffalo has been shaky at times on their way to a 6-2 record. It is a tall order to expect this Miami Dolphins team to walk into Highmark and exit with a W.
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Coaching: (F); I have written several times, that Coach MnM needs to relinquish play calling to Smith. Sunday was just another example as to why. I wrote this after the Buffalo game last season:
Coach MnM needs to consider handing over play calling duties. 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.
Sunday versus the Cardinals, Miami had a similar opportunity to close out the game. It was first and ten in Arizona territory with a two point lead. A first down almost seals the victory. McDaniel called two consecutive screen passes to the same side after Mostert rushed for no gain, also to the left, on first down. He then punted away the season. Tyreek Hill was targeted only once in the second half. Last week Huntley was blamed for Hill and Waddle’s lack of targets. Who takes the blame this week? Many will put the responsibility on the Defense coming up demonstrably short on the final Cardinal drive. Nonetheless, this game should have been signed, sealed, and delivered long before the final whistle. In the 1st and 2nd quarters deep in Arizona territory on separate 4th and shorts, Miami kicked FGs. I don’t like “settling” for FGs.
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Running Backs: (B); Achane came back to life a little bit. Playing with a concussion cap he averaged almost ten yards a carry finishing with 97 yards on ten carries. Mostert added two walk in touchdowns. As a group the backfield finished with 150 yards and a 6 ypc average with two scores. It was a quality performance from this unit in large part due to Achane’s day. Mostert, however, was the one elected to cap off drives. This is three straight games with over 150 rushing yards.
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Receivers: (B-); Tyreek had his best game in October finishing with 6 catches, 72 yards, and no scores. In years past this would’ve been his worst outing of the season. Achane was the next leading receiver and the only one to bring in a Tua TD pass. Waddle remains absent. It is difficult to put in on the receiving group. This is coach’s job to get them open and touches. McDaniel has failed this year. Miserably neglected to elevate his receivers after Tua’s injury. Having six players with at least three receptions is nice; limiting Tua to one target in the second half, bad. After two incredible games, Jonnu Smith settled back into a more subdued tight-end role.
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Defense: (D); Kyler Murray had his best game of the season. On Sunday Murray had his first 300 yard passing game of the season. In the seven games prior, he had three sub two hundred yard games. Yet, the Dolphins’ secondary did not contain McBride or Harrison Jr. Murray’s only two weapons. On the Cardinals’ final drive those two accounted for 42 of the Cardinal’s 72 yards. Well over half. Arizona ended the game with a 5:01 drive for the final play of the game. A short ‘gimme’ game winning FG. Even after a holding penalty, Miami’s defense offered little resistance as Arizona picked up the first down in two plays. On the season they haven’t been atrocious, but this unit also has not stood out. Miami ranks 24/32 in turnovers with a negative 3 differential according to NFL Pick Watch. They must prepare to stop Allen. He can not be allowed to leave the pocket untouched. If the scrambles, he must be scrambled.
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Special Teams: (B); Sanders connected on both FGs and all three extra points. Bailey for his part only punted twice. These stats make you believe Miami won. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Washington and Eskridge did well in the return game with Berrios out.
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Quarterback(s): (C-); Yes, the offense was much more effective. Tua had a solid game but he was far from perfect. He had three fumbles. One that resulted in a safety. When you gift a team two points and lose by one, it stands out. He missed an open Tyreek Hill down the left sideline. Tua threw a floating pass that landed nearly ten yards short of Hill. Some of it can be easily chalked up to rust. Some to play-calling. For Miami to win with the team they have, they need elite QB play. Tua falls short.
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Officials: (C); No big controversy here.
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Overall: (D); It was a must win game against a mediocre team. Miami went made the playoffs last year because they took care of business against these teams. Their only loss was the Nashville Nightmare. Win every game you’re supposed to, split the 50/50 games, and steal one game a season, you’ll be in the playoffs. Miami now has to flip this formula and win every game. They haven’t shown they are capable. As a fan, I’m not even sure I want them to succeed in sneaking into the playoffs. That will mean the status-quo goes unchanged. Middle of the road, wash rinse repeat. That has been this franchise for forty years. But, if they only beat Buffalo.
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POLITASPORTS 