The Dolphins began Thanksgiving week with a wonderfully tasting Patriots appetizer. Miami lead 24-0 at Halftime and yet were scoreless in the first quarter. The 24 2nd quarter points marked their highest scoring period of the season. Their earlier best was 17 versus Vegas. Miami’s offense is humming along the last five weeks averaging 29 pts per game while winning three of five. That would have them tied for third place on PPG average for the season. It is also the third consecutive game the Defense held opponents under 20 points. The Dolphins need a win on Thanksgiving evening.
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Coaching: (A); Coach MnM is righting the ship. I mentioned earlier this season that he was struggling and sitting on a hot seat. If the Dolphins continue to play inspired and Miami salvages this season, I believe he will be here next year. I never believed his job was in jeopardy, but his influence as HC within the organization. For the second week in a row Miami piled up 34 points. The offense was clicking. Over the last four games MnM has centered the offense around Jonnu Smith. Jonnu is averaging over seven targets a game and 70 yards a game. He has also caught three touchdowns in this span. Promoting Smith is the type of coaching side step you expect from a young “offensive genius.” Kudos to Coach.
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Running Backs: (C); This unit averaged under three yards per carry and totaled sixty-five yards. Add in Wright’s lost fumble and you have a recipe for losing. Achane did snag two touchdown passes from Tua to give this unit a passing, if subpar, grade.
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Receivers: (A-); Waddle finally broke out on Sunday. He surpassed 100 yards receiving before half time and collected 8 of 9 targets. Glad he was found the end zone in the second half to cap his best game of the year. Waddle finished with 8 receptions for 144 yards and a TD. Jonnu continued his excellent play with 87 yards and a score on 9 catches. Achane added two touch downs and Hill finished with 5 grabs as well.
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Defense: (A); For the third consecutive game this unit held their opponent under 20 points. Forced a fumble and recorded four sacks. They stuffed New England on third down allowing only 3 of 14 conversions and forcing two turnover on downs. They also collected two traditional turnovers while keeping the Patriots under 270 yards of offense. The Dolphins’ D will need to play at their best in the cold on Thanksgiving night. With a win, Miami will reach .500 for the first time since week two.
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Special Teams: (A); Sanders converted all four extra points and went 2-2 on field goals including one from 51 yards. Bailey averaged nearly 50 yards a punt on five punts. It was a winning effort from this group.
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Quarterback(s): (A+); This was by far Tua’s best game of the season. Sunday was the first time Tua has broken 300 yards passing since week one. He added to that four touch down passes, zero interceptions, completed over 70%, and only took two sacks. In his seven games this season he has 13 TDs to only 4 interceptions. Unfortunately the Dolphins are only 4-3 in those games. To continue this run into the playoffs, Miami needs Tua to be nearly as perfect the rest of the way.
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Officials: (C); Baseline grade here.
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Overall: (B+); They beat a team they should beat. On Thanksgiving they’ll have a chance to show what they can do vs a quality team. I said after the Titans game on Monday night:
“The Titans debacle last season cost Miami the division and a home playoff game. What will it cost them this year?”
If Miami fails to make the playoffs the Colts and Titans games will be the reason. It put the Dolphins in the predicament of “must win.” One hiccup the rest of the way and they will need much help to advance. Win out and they are in. This must be the goal, win them all. This team has struggled on short rest, on the road, in the cold, and against quality teams. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to put all that behind them. Shred the cheese heads and enjoy the turkey.
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POLITASPORTS 