I see Flag Day was moved this 12 months. It ought to have been on June 14th (however you knew that), but arrived a bit late on December thirtieth because the Miami Dolphins and the Cleveland Browns mixed for 67 accepted penalties for 814 yards and Mike McDaniel even tossed two problem flags within the combine only for a splash of coloration.
At the very least the Fins received, as a result of this one introduced the ache.
A struggle between three legged canines
Or a canine and a Dawg, amirite Cleveland followers?
Dawg Pound?
Shut up.
The Browns got here into the sport 3-12 they usually earned each little bit of it. Jerry Jeudy has been the one vivid spot of their offense and Myles Garrett anchored their protection whereas the remainder of the group does every part fairly poorly. And that is coming from a Dolphins fan so, ya know, it means one thing.
In the meantime, Miami headed into the competition with a veritable amber-lamps stuffed with accidents, headlined by the final minute exit of Tua Tagovailoa in favor of Tyler Huntley at quarterback.
Let’s look at a listing of the disappeared Dolphins versus their stand-ins:
Tyrel Dodson for Anthony Walker – Dodson had 15 tackles, 1 PBU, and a QB hit towards Cleveland. He’s had each flashes of greatness and flashes of being like each different Fins linebacker since Zach Thomas to this point this season. I like him. He’s not a Micah Parsons clone, however he’s undoubtedly higher depth than Miami’s linebacking corps is used to. And I’d take him over Walker as is.
Storm Duck for Kendall Fuller – Quackers doesn’t seem to have the identical missed sort out bug as lots of the Dolphin defenders (although I might be performing like them myself and lacking his missed tackles, inflicting an infinite loop of incompetence that may trigger the planet to fold in on itself). He’s a rookie changing a (traditionally) prime tier nook and he fills in nicely for being so new. Plus, his title guidelines.
Patrick Paul for Terron Armstead – Paul has performed decently in his debut efforts this 12 months, filling in for the oft-injured Armstead who’s on the tail finish of his profession. Sunday he acquired acquired by Myles Garrett a bunch, however when Garrett isn’t attempting to commit first diploma homicide with a helmet, he’s an elite rusher, so, grains of salt and all that. He might be a future constructing block, so long as he retains growing and stays in a single spot.
Malik Washington for Jaylen Waddle – The rookie large receiver caught 4 passes for 41 yards and regarded succesful (as he has in earlier video games). He could not have the high-first-round skillset of Waddle, however when Waddle takes Hill’s spot, it appears believable that Washington will take Waddle’s.
The massive kahuna: Tyler Huntley for Tua Tagovailoa – Huntley performed like a backup ought to. He went 22/26 (85%) for 225 yds, 1 TD, 0 INTs, and added 52 yards on 7 carries to be the offense’s main rusher. If he can do that each time he’s referred to as upon, I’d signal him so long as he’d keep.
What was I saying? Oh yeah; canines. Once you have a look at how the Dolphins fared with their backups in essential roles, perhaps it’s extra like a three-legged canine who acquired a candy robotic leg to switch the lacking one, however the management panel shorts out somtimes and it kicks something that walks behind it like a horse.
And the Browns are extra like a soggy bowl of kibbles.
The suitable scheme for the quarterback truly taking part in
A giant a part of Sunday’s success was MM’s offensive sport plan suiting Tyler Huntley’s skillset a lot better than earlier outings.
It’s exhausting to say if it was a product of Huntley having been within the current system for much longer than earlier than or a better-late-than-never acceptance by McDaniel that the plan needs to be tailor-made to the expertise. Both means, it had higher stability (26 passes to 27 rushes) and clearly higher outcomes.
To not fear; there was nonetheless some failure floating round. The failing-est was the offensive line, the members of which made a grand return to the glory days of Dolphins’ traces that had been comprised of wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube males in jerseys. I believe a mixture of accidents, a superb opposing go rush, and Huntley’s fashion of escapability vs. Tua’s insta-release all added as much as trigger the disaster, however boy did that convey the recollections flooding again quick.
Regardless of the improved sport plan, Dearest Michael’s penchant for poor playcalling popped up once more in a essential spot. On 4th and inches, he opted to pitch the ball backwards, instantly making it a 4th and 4 earlier than the plan acquired off the bottom. You understand what they are saying: when life offers you lemons, name one thing silly.
Even the announcers acquired in on the enjoyable, calling out McDaniel for saying that he likes Jeff Wilson in brief yardage conditions after which not utilizing him in any.
I actually hope he relinquishes the playcalling a part of his job subsequent 12 months. And retains Anthony Weaver round, as a result of:
The protection simply might need a stable basis
As beforehand disclosed, the Browns aren’t precisely an offensive powerhouse. Nonetheless, the Dolphins’ D held them to 278 whole yards and three factors. Bully for them.
That’s what you need to see from a protection in place to dominate. Regardless of the accidents, they performed nicely once more. Weaver has carried out quite a bit with some limitations this 12 months. If Chubb and Phillips come again with something like their pre-injury skills subsequent season, they might be cooking with fuel. Weaver deserves credit score, as does his protection.
Talking of deserving:
This group doesn’t deserve the postseason
“REEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! THEY JUST WON A CLUTCH GAME WITH BACKUPS! THEY’RE ON THEIR WAY TO THE BIG ONE!!! IF YOU DON’T TAKE THAT BACK, I’LL DRIVE THIS BUS STRAIGHT OFF THE EDGE OF THE EARTH!” — You, in response to this heading, in case you’re insane.
The Dolphins had their playoff path laid out forward of them towards Houston and got here up empty. That was their actual alternative to construct confidence and momentum heading into the postseason.
But, everyone knows how Miami can nonetheless make the playoffs: beat the hapless Jets and hope that the Chiefs’ backups can defeat the Broncos.
The Jets are dangerous. A Tua-led group can crush them. A Tyler-led group may doubtlessly crush them.
However, will they?
Towards the Browns, the group surrounding Huntley made his job infinitely more durable with fixed penalties, errors, miscommunications, and missed assignments. They received despite themselves. I consider the analysts’ assertion was “The Dolphins can’t get out of their very own means,” which I immediately trademarked and am promoting on each accessible sort of merchandise.
Dealing with any of the NFL’s not-worst groups with that degree of efficiency will nearly definitely lead to a loss. Derailing momentum each drive with errors and letting groups grasp round is an nearly sure recipe for failure if the opponent isn’t a backside dweller. If the opposite group rolls in with something in any respect and the Dolphins come out with that type of efficiency, they don’t stand an opportunity.
However they could go anyway and that’s all that issues
Fortuitously, the Jets are rolling in with nothing.
Aaron Rodgers was benched on the finish of Sunday’s sport towards the Buffalo Payments, which actually may be worse for Miami since his backup is Tyrod Taylor and that dude loves taking out his frustrations on the Fins.
The Jets are 4-12. And sure; Any Given Sunday or no matter different horrible platitude you favor, but when the Dolphins suppose they’ve any actual enterprise within the playoffs, they need to smother the Jets, then cross their fingers that the Chiefs care sufficient to point out up on the opposite finish.
Solely then can all of us see in the event that they’ve acquired a lil’ little bit of that Eli Magic in that previous silk hat they discovered.
Do you consider in Tyler Huntley beating the Jets? How about Carson Wentz beating the Broncos? Isn’t late season soccer one of the best? Prepare for a 20 sport season within the feedback under.
