The Miami Dolphins helped veteran Aaron Rodgers flip again the clock in a house recreation on Sunday that was means nearer than it had any proper to be.
“A win is all the time higher than a loss.” — EgregiousPhilbin, thinker
However some wins are higher than others.
This wasn’t a type of.
Not probably the most confidence instilling protection
The Dolphins’ protection did every thing of their energy to maintain issues shut. Not by taking part in lights out, thoughts you, however by permitting the New York Jets to march down the sector with alarming regularity to the tune of 26 factors.
The aforementioned Rodgers, seemingly on the draw back of his profession, went 27/39 for 339 yards (the primary such recreation for him in 35 outings), 1 TD, and 0 INTs.
Star working again Breece Corridor didn’t play and was changed by a mix of two rookies: Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, who mixed for 83 yards on 21 carries.
Broad receivers Garrett Wilson and Davante Adams each topped 100 yards receiving (114 and 109 respectively).
The Jets punted twice and it took a go to to extra time for the Fins to return out on prime.
All in all: not reassuring.
Communication within the secondary was dreadful with a number of missed assignments and receivers working free. Linebackers have been a good larger downside. The Jets’ rookie working backs have been completely handing it to Anthony Walker. Tackling was (once more) a difficulty and the defensive scheme didn’t assist by backing the DBs off the road additional than the yards to realize for a primary down.
New York had the thirty first ranked offense coming into the sport and Miami made certain to assist that rank rise.
If this was early within the season, rather a lot could possibly be neglected or forgiven. However for a group that has to win out to be able to meet their newly adjusted expectations of merely backing into the playoffs, all of us anticipated higher in opposition to a 3-9 group taking part in on the street.
Folks will level to the Jets having misplaced a variety of shut video games this yr and perhaps not being as unhealthy as their document, however these individuals are nonetheless rooting for a 3 win group.
The Jets aren’t good. However the Dolphins’ protection made them seem like they could possibly be.
A shootout with BB weapons
“What in regards to the offense?” you shriek into the ever encroaching night time sky, a shroud of darkness mere moments from swallowing you totally.
“They have been okay.” a disembodied voice calls from the awful horizon.
You’ll be superb.
Miami’s offense had one other scorching begin, a theme that I hoped would develop into an indicator of this season. Their first 4 drives, aka each one of many first half, resulted in factors (a landing adopted by 3 subject objectives). That’s good. Actual good.
After all, two of these drives stalled close to or within the pink zone (the NYJ 21 yard line and 6 yard line), however the final drive of the primary half went 31 yards in 47 seconds to earn a half time lead with a subject objective. The hurry up appeared nice there and I believe we’d all really feel rather a lot higher if we noticed extra of that within the offensive recreation plan.
The second half was extra of a wrestle, seeing the Dolphins punt 3 instances. It appeared just like the Jets (very like many groups as of late) stored two excessive safeties out almost all recreation, forcing the Fins to function beneath. They took these alternatives (therefore Tua’s 70% completion share), however one thing was off about the entire operation.
If it’s two-high all day, how do none of our sentient sports activities vehicles taking part in huge receiver trigger defenders to overlook tackles?
I don’t know if it’s nice protection or poor play design or overhyped expertise or one thing else totally. I don’t actually know something.
Within the backfield, 2.3 yards/carry is all of the working recreation may muster (44 yds and 19 carries), which is pitiful. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle confirmed up properly with 115 yards (and a TD) and 99 yards receiving. Jonnu Smith obtained concerned on the eleventh hour, offering almost the entire offense in extra time with 3 recs for 44 yards and the sport successful landing.
So why did it really feel so lackluster?
They gained, in spite of everything.
I suppose, for me, it’s the truth that it took extra time to beat a 3 win group at dwelling who trotted out the identical defensive scheme Miami’s seen for the majority of this season.
The numbers appeared good. The gamers appeared good. The playcalling was good (a minimum of in spurts). And 32 factors needs to be sufficient to beat lots of groups.
I simply don’t belief one thing about it. Perhaps it’s the lifelong Dolphin fan in me who is aware of how seasons finish. However squeaking out a win in opposition to this Jets group doesn’t fill me with as a lot heat vacation cheer as a gallon of moonshine combined with turpentine usually does.
Patrick Paul obtained some significant reps
One good takeaway from this recreation was the play of rookie second-round deal with Patrick Paul.
Pundits projected him as a challenge coming into the season and, sure, it’s one recreation and no, he didn’t set the world on fireplace, however he did a pleasant job stepping in for Terron Armstead after what could have been TA’s final recreation, relying on the severity of his newest damage and his need to proceed taking part in thereafter.
Having a brand new anchor on the offensive line would simply be the bee’s knees.
The offensive line has been the bugaboo of Dolphins groups for so long as the planets have been orbiting across the Earth, so eliminating the necessity for one fifth of that unit for the foreseeable future can be nothing in need of wonderful, particularly with a participant on a rookie contract for the following few years.
Subsequent week the Fins face the Houston Texans (8-5). It’s the following within the line of 4 remaining ‘should win’ video games, however it comes with a right away robust take a look at of Paul’s skills, assuming he’s the brand new starter going ahead.
He’ll face a Houston cross rush that has sufficient expertise to actually tax the teenager, so everybody willl get to see simply what stage he’s made it to whereas studying from Armstead throughout his first season.
Hopefully it’s the highest stage.
And hopefully he can keep there for an extended, very long time.
Will the actual Jason Sanders please rise up?
Following the Fins’ first drive, which resulted in a landing, kicker Jason Sanders wasn’t feeling very like making kicks. As an example his stance, he missed an additional level huge left, leaving the offense with 6 factors the place usually there are 7.
In an inexplicably shut recreation, such a misstep may have come again to chunk the Dolphins in a dreadful means.
Thankfully, later within the recreation and with extra on the road, he nailed a 52 yarder to ship it into extra time.
Traditionally, Sanders has fluctuated between good and unhealthy years. His FG% went from 90% as a rookie to 77%, then 92%, again right down to 74%.
His final three years have hovered within the 80s at 81%, 86%, and at present 87%.
For each wonky miss, he’ll comply with up with a clutch make.
I don’t suppose I’ve a degree right here. He’s in all probability the best choice the Dolphins have. Plus, they’ve means too many different points to deal with earlier than including kicker to the record.
There’s a Jason Sanders in all of us.
Let’s all rise up.
Miami is hanging on like an outdated decoration
The vacations are quick approaching, as are the playoffs, and the Dolphins’ hopes are hanging on like an decoration on a Charlie Brown Christmas tree.
Clearly dropping to the Jets would have put a nail in that proverbial coffin, however barely sneaking previous them doesn’t make us followers really feel all that merry and vivid shifting ahead.
The group goes on the street subsequent week to face Houston. Then, it should play the 49ers in its ultimate dwelling recreation of the yr earlier than taking part in a pair of away video games to shut out the season in opposition to Cleveland and the Jets (once more).
All of these video games are winnable. Technically each recreation is winnable. You simply want to attain greater than your opponent. R.I.P. John Madden.
If Miami performs like they did this week in opposition to Houston and San Francisco, it’s very possible they arrive away with losses. We all know that stage of efficiency can beat the Jets (barely). It would even be adequate to beat the Browns.
But when they actually need to make the playoffs and make making the playoffs imply one thing greater than a participation trophy, they’re going to wish the protection to get it collectively and the offense to fireplace on all cylinders.
In any other case, their stockings might be stuffed with coal cast from the fiery remnants of their 2024 season.
