POLITASPORTS

My brother and I, years ago, found ourselves watching a Jets-Dolphins game in a bar. Packed with New Jersey Jets fans. Miami started that day off miserably. I believe they were down a couple scores, and the J-E-T-S chants were becoming obnoxious. They did their song and dance anytime the Jets gained a yard. Well, that day, the Dolphins started to comeback. So my brother and I alone in a corner booth, started cheering louder and louder. Then we came up with F-I-N-S Fins Fins Fins. Which we loudly sang after every run, completion, first down, and score. It was a fun day. Sunday was fun as well watching with my boys as we beat up on the hapless planes.

Miami has now won four consecutive games and 5 of their last six. They are playing as if they are a competent NFL squad. Why did it take diving into a 1-6 hole for them to start playing football? That is a question Ross will have to have answered after the season. Depending on the reply, will need to begin looking for a new coach to go along with a new GM. Miami must win every remaining game to even consider the playoffs, can they do it? I don’t know, but it will take effort equal or exceeding what we saw on Sunday. The entire team, save one Special Teams blip, played exceptional football.

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Coaching: (A); Coach MnM has transformed. From a young, flamboyant offensive wizard; to a grizzled ground and pound old school football coach. It has revitalized Miami’s hopes for the season. I had issues with Coach and suggested several times he needs to relinquish play calling to his offensive coordinator. My largest complaint was an inability to make in game adjustments. This change may not have occurred “in game” but, it has been an incredible transition. Coach has taken the reins from Tua and given them to Achane and the offensive line. The results have been incredible. Few coaches alter their philosophy so drastically during their coaching careers, let alone mid way through a season. McDaniel deserves credit for the turnaround. Will it save his job? I don’t know, but it will certainly help his future.

I also have to give credit to Weaver. The defense has come a long way. The strategy on offense has helped. Allowing the defense time to breathe by limiting Tua turnovers. That kept them on the field longer than any defense should be asked, but the intensity has gone up. Miami forced only 6 turnovers in their first 7 games and started the season 1-6. Miami is 5-1 since and have forced 11 turnovers in that span. Their lone loss against the Ravens is the only game in this span without forcing a turnover. If Weaver keeps this unit playing at a high level, they have winnable games left to close out their season.

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Running Backs: (A+); Achane left the game early with an injury. Miami needs him back ASAP. It isn’t serious and he was only listed as doubtful to return and not out during the Jets’ game. This is good news. The reports are that it isn’t serious and he could have returned to the game if needed. McDaniel said “He was hurting, but he was available to come back in the game in an emergency.” Before he left, Achane already surpassed 100 total yards including 92 rushing yards and a TD. He averaged over 13 yards per carry and caught one pass for another 13 yards. He has 1,126 yards rushing with a 5.8yrd/carry average and 383 yards receiving. Add in his 11 touchdowns and only one turnover and this is a career year for the Miami running back.

Wright was the biggest beneficiary of both the Jets’ poor defense and Achane’s injury. He was given the bulk of the load once Achane was kept out. Finishing the game with a touchdown and 107 yards rushing on 24 carries. Gordon also found the end zone, giving all three Miami running backs a score. Waddle and Waller also got carries. Miami finished with 239 yards and 3 scores on the ground.

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Receivers: (A); The receivers have not been asked to do much during these last six games. Miami only had 13 total completions on the day; but Waddle did bring down 5 catches, one for a score. Dulcich had his most productive game as well, catching all three of his targets for 41 yards. Two of his receptions moved the sticks. In all, five different receivers caught at least one pass, with Waddle, Dulcich, and Washington having multiple receptions.

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Defense: (A); The Dolphins’ defense has been on a great run. I detailed above how they went from bottom tier in takeaways to the top third over the last six weeks. They have become grittier. Yes, that is not a tangible metric, but it is evident in how they’ve played. There was talk about Jaelen Phillips and his praise of the Eagles was an indictment on Miami. But how the Dolphins have played without him is the bigger judgment. Was he locker room poison? Sieler had two and a half sacks verse the Jets, Chubb added the other half. Robinson, Gay, and Melifonwu also had at least one sack. Yes it was verse the Jets, but in their week 4 win against New York they managed only two. They had four more the week prior hosting the Saints.

The secondary has also shown improvement. Locking down teams in the Red Zone and coming up with big plays. Bonner’s one handed interception in the End Zone was a thing of beauty. Holding any offense in this league to three points is worthy of an A, every time.

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Special Teams: (F); The Jets’ lone touchdown came on a punt return. When you give up points on Special Teams, you don’t get a passing grade. It’s unfortunate because Bailey boomed the heck out of the ball. Averaging 43 yards per punt including one for 58 yards. Patterson was also perfect on field goals and extra points. But, giving a team any sliver of momentum when they have none; is unacceptable. Pretty sure most of the Special Teams players and coaches will agree.

They did what the defense didn’t; allowed a touch down.

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Quarterback(s): (C); Tua has averaged 182.3 yards per game over Miami’s last six games. He has only topped 200 yards twice, one coming in the Dolphins’ loss to Baltimore. The shift in philosophy has been noted. Miami is a running team, relying on Tua to guide them, not drag them, to victories. In five wins, he has averaged 166 yards. Crossing the Mendoza line only once, against Atlanta. Where he threw for 205 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Against the Jets on Sunday he completed only 13 of 21 passes for 127 yards and one score to Waddle. He did not turn the ball over, though he did fumble once. Being a “game manager” is a moniker few NFL QBs enjoy; however, for the Fins, it is currently required. If Miami makes a real push towards the playoffs, Tua will have to have at least one big game. Tua is on track to have his fewest yards per game average since his rookie year. In 2020 he averaged 181y/g, this season he sits at 185y/g. He has never finished a season with 30 touchdowns. This will be the third time he has thrown double digit interceptions. He is on pace to have a career low QB rating. None of these are great numbers for a QB, let alone one that is still owed 100 million dollars.

I believe based on the math, Miami is tied to Tua for one more season. However, if his play doesn’t improve or he costs Miami an opportunity to get into the playoffs. They may rip off the band-aid.

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Officials: (C); It was a blowout and the zebras didn’t play a factor. This is how the officials are supposed to be graded. “Did you notice them?” “No.” Then they’ve passed. Good job crew.

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Overall: (B); Tough to give them an “A” overall. These games could prove meaningless without incredible amounts of assistance around the league. Miami dug too deep a hole. Winning out may be the “easiest” part of them making the playoffs. It is nice to see them fight. Will it be enough to save jobs and futures? I’m not sure. Some type of reset is likely, and that is even if the Dolphins can back into the playoffs. The team has not been relevant this millennia, that must change. Since entering the league in the late 1960’s the Dolphins quickly became a jewel in the NFL cap. After more than two decades of irrelevance, the shimmer has faded. If this group makes a run and closes the season undefeated, even if they still miss out on the playoffs. It will be the greatest accomplishment for a Dolphins team since losing the AFC Championship in 1993.

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