Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen.
Tyreek and Jaelan and Jaylen and Jalen.
However do you recall essentially the most used playmaker of all?
De’Von Achane is the offense
Towards the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins working again and basic maker-of-plays De’Von Achane ran for 120 yards and 1 landing on 17 carries, whereas additionally gaining an extra 70 yards on 6 receptions. That’s 23 touches for him towards 29 for the remainder of the complete offense (counting Tua carries by 2-a for -1 yards, so may even be extra like 27 touches).
Whereas I like Achane, that sort of workload doesn’t really feel sustainable for both the rest of this season or, extra importantly, for future seasons.
Mike McDaniel’s offense all through his tenure has, to date, been predicated on radical timing (to its personal detriment) to intensify Tua’s strengths as a passer and the receivers’ pace. Over the again half of this season, the passing facet of issues nonetheless stays extraordinarily timing dependent, however the point of interest of the offense has moved from final 12 months’s keying in on Tyreek Hill (with a facet of Jaylen Waddle) to Achane.
I lamented the odd shift from the wildly profitable run recreation of 2023 that prioritized Raheem Mostert and a extra bodily (if you’ll) model of speeding in favor of a much less profitable run recreation in 2024 that de-emphasized these elements. Whereas it didn’t precisely revert to 2023’s glory, this week noticed Mostert get 8 carries towards the Niners, which appeared to pattern in the precise course. Regardless of that, Achane was nonetheless the function again (and form of function receiver) and, regardless of the end result of the sport, it stresses future me out.
It’s very doable (like, supremely doable) that I’m unsuitable and Achane reveals no sturdiness points and embarks on an extended and storied profession as a bellcow again harking back to Le’Veon Bell in his heyday. I simply don’t need the Fins to take their newest biggest Christmas current and use it to shoot their eye out.
Dolphins’ protection confirmed up once more
Miami’s D gave up a 300 yard passer in Brock Purdy, a 100 yard receiver in George Kittle, and an virtually 100 yard (96) receiver in Deebo Samuel. But, they held the 49ers’ offense to 17 factors and stored the run recreation in test to the tune of 81 yards.
Anthony Weaver will get criticism from some corners for what can pretty be thought-about, uh, wonky playcalling in sure conditions, however total I feel he’s executed a pleasant job in his first season, significantly given the accidents and (in my undeniably skilled and consistently wanted opinion) lack of expertise at key positions.
I’m gonna degree with you right here. I’m scripting this on Christmas Eve and lacking 24 hours of A Christmas Story, so we’re gonna fly by way of the remainder of this just like the Bumpus hounds fly by way of a Christmas morning turkey.
Accidents excuse the end result
I wish to specify that I don’t personally imagine my very own heading right here, I simply know the way naysayers will nay and say. San Francisco is, objectively, jackslapped with accidents this 12 months. They’re one of many groups who I really feel is just a little like Miami: their roster needs to be adequate for 15 wins, however right here they sit with 6.
The factor about that’s: I don’t care. They’re nonetheless an excellent crew with nice gamers, an incredible employees, and a confirmed system. They have been within the Superbowl 10 months in the past. So for Miami to play an throughout strong recreation within the face of playoff elimination (although, to me, that ship has sailed till the minute they really handle to weasel their approach again in absolutely) towards a crew like that? That fills me with as a lot vacation cheer as Randy is filled with mashed potatoes.
Jason Sanders has discovered his stride
Ignoring that one kickoff that went straight out of bounds, Jason Sanders continued to kick like… a man who’s good at kicking? I’ve had an excessive amount of nog to make respectable analogies.
Right here’s the deal: Sanders is on one among his good seasons (almost one among his greatest, actually). 89% FG share with 11/13 from over 50 yards. He went 5/5 towards San Francisco, logging 15 of the crew’s 29 factors, together with one other from lengthy distance (54 yards).
That’s superior. Good for him and good for Miami.
Mayhaps he will likely be in line for a significant award.
Miami remains to be within the hunt, however is utilizing a slingshot
My absolute favourite graphic on earth nonetheless consists of Miami, displaying them IN THE HUNT regardless of requiring an entire host of uncontrolled variables to go their approach to be able to eek out a go to to the postseason.
Feels acquainted, eh?
It appears as in the event that they’re on this place yearly: combating for his or her playoff lives with weapons so weak that, even when they vanquish all of their remaining opponents, they’ll nonetheless want outdoors help to actually make any use of the kill.
I don’t know the way far this metaphor can stretch, however the Fins are, once more, going to conflict with a slingshot, needing a number of losses from a number of groups along with profitable their remaining two video games. It’s doable, certain. Nevertheless it’s unlikely and it’s exhausting to get really jazzed till it occurs.
Hopefully earlier than all of us go to that nice North Pole within the sky, the Fins can head into the ultimate dash towards the postseason with some precise firepower.
Like an official Pink Ryder carbine motion two-hundred shot vary mannequin air rifle.
Do you wish to meet me at a Chinese language restaurant on Christmas night time? We’ll bundle up for the chilly till we will’t put our arms down. Don’t be a Scut Farkus. I’ll see you there and within the feedback beneath.
