Sunday was a difficult game to watch. The Miami Dolphins continue to give aid and comfort to the theory they can’t play “good” teams. Tua under performed. Providing his worst game in the most vital circumstance. He is not clutch. Even with 3 turnovers, including two in scoring position, Miami had the ball with a chance to tie the game. Tua’s first throw on the final drive was his 4th turnover, 3rd interception (INT) of the game. During the Tua-McDaniel era, Miami is 3-17 vs teams with winning records (above .500). This season they are 0-5. It is only famine, no feast when the Dolphins play anyone but the least. This was the 7th game Miami’s defense held the opponent to 20 points or less. If only they’d won all such games, they’d be 8-6. The offense has let this team down the most this season. That falls mostly on Tua and McDaniel.
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Coaching: (D); Coach MnM is too predictable with his offense. Personnel can’t be blamed, because he is responsible for who is on the field. He called 20 screen plays vs Houston. Last week I was appalled he called 25% of the pass plays as screens. This week he two upped himself and 1/3rd of all plays were screens. The majority of which were on 1st down and red zone plays. After Jonnu picked up 7 yards on a 4th and 4, Miami had the ball in the red zone. Down one score the first down play was a middle screen to Jonnu. It gained zero yards and set up 2nd and 10. These plays routinely put Miami’s offense behind the eight ball.
He gets a “passing” grade because I appreciated his aggressiveness. He kept two drives alive on 4th down. One leading to 6 points the other a Tuaover. McDaniel can’t be held responsible for Tua’s performance. Nor for Hill not catching that final pass. There is much that can’t be placed at Coach’s feet. But for what he is responsible, he came up short. That is the reason for a “D” and not “F.”
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Running Backs: (F); Miami finished with barely 50 yards rushing. Achane fumbled, though didn’t turn it over. No rusher averaged more than 3.4 yards per carry. The failures on the ground are a direct extension of the issues on the O-Line, but still, break a tackle. Achane caught seven passes in the back field, but failed gaining yards.
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Receivers: (F); The final INT epitomized this season. Hill had two hands on an under-thrown ball, yet Texas came down with it. Washington led all receivers in yards with 52. Hill caught only two balls all night. Waddle zero. Jonnu impressed again. Grabbing 9 passes for nearly 50 yards and a score. He has been a bright spot during a dark season.
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Defense: (A+); They held another team to 20 points or less. At the end of the half after a Tua INT and return, Houston had the ball at the 3. The Texans only managed a FG. When Miami needed a stop late to get the ball back, the defense held solid. Miami received the ball down one score with nearly two minutes left. This unit played outstanding and the offense let them down. The defense held the Texans to under 200 total yards. Forced a turnover. Sacked Stroud 4 times. If Miami can’t win this game, they can’t win games.
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Special Teams: (F-); Another missed PAT by Sanders. That is two weeks in a row. Unacceptable. It deflated the Dolphins when they badly needed energy.
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Quarterback(s): (F); Last week I praised Tua for playing his best game of the season. Like me on the course, it didn’t take long for him to sink his round. I always say “the best way to ruin a great shot in golf, hit your next one.” Tua ruined his near perfect game. Last week I said:
“he (Tua) will have to be this good the last 4 games for Miami to have hope. One miscue from Tua and the season ends. It’s a tight rope, but he has to walk it.”
https://politasports.com/2024/12/13/grading-the-miami-dolphins-week-xiv-dolphins-down-the-jets/
It was a short honeymoon. Tua had his worst game of the season. He finished with under 200 yards passing for only the second time all year. The other was the Buffalo game when he left with a concussion. Intercepted 3 times, also like vs Buffalo. Less than 5 yards per throw, lowest this season. Sacked 3 times, tied most this season. One fumble lost. Tua directly accounted for 4 turnovers in a game that was lost by only one score. Two of the turnovers were within field goal range. Two lead to Houston scores. The Texans had 10 points off Tuaovers. Add that to the potential six points Miami lost (more if they turned any of those drives into 6). That is a 16 point swing in an 8 point game. I believe we have seen the best of Tua. I think this is his pinnacle. Can the Dolphins compete with him? One hundred percent. Will he carry them to the promised land? No. He can guide them there, but not carry them. The Miami Dolphins need to put a team around him that can fight and win games. Relying on Tua has not worked.
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Officials: (D); The holding on Tyreek was suspect at best. It nullified a wonderful run by Achane. Miami would’ve been looking at 1st and goal at the 3 yard line, instead they backed them up ten yards. That call turned 6 into zero as Tua threw an interception on the next play.
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Overall: (F-); After the Arizona and Buffalo losses, Miami needed to win out to control their destiny. A tough task, without question. That hope ended on Thanksgiving. The focus then shifted to winning out and hoping for little help. Again, that dream died Sunday. They are technically not eliminated, but their deadly number is 1. Just one game will destroy their playoff miracle. If the Charges win, if the Broncos win, if the Ravens win, and a Miami loss. All such scenarios will end the season. The focus shouldn’t even be on backing into the playoffs. This season’s expectations were not playoffs. The team and the fans were thinking titles. Division Title. AFC Title. Even Super Bowl Title was in their sight. All of those are gone. They are playing to claw their way above .500. Grier should not be kept. They jumped the gun resigning McDaniel in August. Even if they hadn’t, I would bring him back for year four. However, if 2025 is another mediocre, below expectations campaign? Ross needs to let him go.
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