Don’t shame me because of all the confidence I had that the Dolphins were going to go on the road and not just beat the Vikings, but beat them by double digits. Like how it’s bad form to tell a child the skinny on what happens on Christmas, it’s equally bad form to rain on the parade that I tried to have following the miracle we all witnessed a week ago. If you see a guy like myself spewing out what sounds like complete non-sense, the etiquette is to stare for a quick second and move along. Like one of those folks who yell about God coming back to destroy the planet in NYC, when you see me saying that the Miami Dolphins are going to ride the momentum they had and beat a team that had exactly none of that, listen to the idiot(me) for a second and walk past me shaking your head in embarrassment. It now appears that I may of been a little off about the Dolphins laying the wood to the Vikings because the exact opposite happened and I should of known better. Damn me for trying to be heroic. Damn me for buying in for one second. Dame me for being human.
Over Before It Started
This game was over before they kicked it off in Minnesota for one sole reason. That reason was that the Dolphins went back to wearing their usual uniforms instead of wearing their throwback unis that everyone in the world know are infinitely better. Miami were 2-0 in the throwbacks and everyone loved them. Naturally, they said that was enough of stuff people like and went back to their current logo. It’s a logo that people at best are just okay with. Once this was decided, I should of felt that there was no way they could win.
1st Quarter
I don’t think that you could play a worse quarter of football than what the Dolphins did in the opening quarter. The Dolphins went down 21-0 in the first quarter, but they weren’t fluky scores where someone fell down or that they gave up a special teams score. These were methodically, beautifully schemed drives that showcased the Viking’s offensive line manhandling the Dolphin’s front 7 as if they were a JV team of a different sport. Here’s the first score
If you’re thinking to yourself, “man, you’d think it be tough to get that wide open from the 13 yard line” you’d be right. It should be hard to get that wide open so close to the goal line. But, when you have Matt Burke as your DC, anything is possible.
Add Dalvin Cook to the list of names such as Jordy Nelson, Sony Michel, Mitch Trubisky, Kerryon Johnson, Deshuan Watson, as guys who had their best game of the season against the Dolphins. Leave it to the Dolphin’s defense to let guys get all the kinks out of their game. Cook ran all over Miami, which was made possible by a line that pushed the Dolphins front 7 back about 5 yards each play.
Raekwon McMillian did a very good job of letting everyone know that his sudden good play was just a mirage and that he didn’t figure anything out.
Not having Xavien Howard out there really wasn’t good for Miami. Bobby McCain forgot how to play defense and Cousins had a casual 7-7 for around 100 yards and a TD.
The Dolphin’s offense went back to the offense we’re used to seeing with only having about 16 yards in the first quarter. Tannehill looked absolutely lost out there and the o-line got treated like the rag tag crew they are. Tunsil is the only guy out there who is worth a damn. The rest, including James can be shown the door. Losing Frank Gore was also a big deal. Looks like he’s done for the year, which means he might be done forever. That guy was as advertised. Glad the Dolphins were able to have him this year. To bad Miami couldn’t ever use him when they had a lead.
2nd Quarter
In typical Miami fashion, they figured out a way to get themselves back in a game they shouldn’t at a time where it looked like another TD was about to get put on the board.
That’s rookie Minkah Fitzpatrick stepping in on the screen. Always cool see that and even better when it’s your guy who does it. Fitzpatrick along with Howard and Tunsil, is one of the guys, whoever is making decisions next year need, to build around. He’s had some good moments this year along with times where he found out how much that the NFL isn’t the SEC. I’m not worried to much about him going forward.
The defense responded after that pick 6 and started to actually play some semblance of defense. Nice when that happens. Miami got the ball to end the half but could only muster a FG because after 7 years Tannehill never developed and internal clock or any kind of sense of what to do when guys are coming after him, which led to him missing guys who were open inside the 5. Also Gase, in my opinion didn’t manage the clock well to finish the half. After going down 21-0, being down 21-10 and getting the ball at the half seems alright.
3rd Quarter
Can’t start a quarter any better than how the Dolphins. Gore is out and it seems that Gase wants to protect Drake(at least that’s what I hope he’s doing) because of his injured shoulder so leaning on rookie 4th round pick Kalen Ballage was who he went to and it paid off quick.
I call him the Bellagio because he’s excellent insurance for when your initial bet goes down(not the worst joke). Have to admit, I didn’t know he was that fast. That’ll be nice to see the last few games of the season. That brought it to 21-17 with the whole second half to play. We all felt good about this. We all thought that this would be very Miami to come back and win a game down 21-0 in the first. We thought that for about a 5 minutes and then they gave up a big punt return. Next, Tannehill continued to not sense any of the pressure that we all saw was coming and he kept getting sacked. He got sacked 9 times in this game, which tied a franchise record. It was so frustrating watching it. We knew what was going to happen every third down and Gase nor Tannehill made any kind of adjustment to it. Like they were completely caught off guard when Minnesota brought their whole team to the line and blitzed 6-7 guys and Miami had nothing in place for it. No hot receiver, no screen, which is weird because there was a time where Miami strictly ran screens, no nothing. Here’s a stat that’ll make you puke just a bit.
That’s not good. That really is not good. 2.8 sacks a game is what that means. It’s the kind of stat that says so much. It says that Tannehill has no clue what pocket presence, internal clock, reading the defense is and also that the Dolphin’s o-line has been trash for the last 7 years. Really bad combo if you’re trying to win football games. Still only 24-17 after three. Only a one score game after looking like a completely inept squad.
4th Quarter
Unfortunately, this quarter started with the Vikings already near the redzone. Miami held them to a FG making it a 10 point game. But, the Dolphin’s o-line combined with the lack of awareness by Tannehill ushered in more sacks and they were forced to go for it on a 4th and 11 where we all new what the outcome was going to be, which was another sack. This time it wasn’t a blitz, just four guys overpowering our guys. Sucked to watch. This led to Dalvin Cook scoring on a run that highlighted precisely where the Dolphins said uncle. So obvious to see. One team was having a great time playing the game and the other wanted to crawl under the field. Hate to say that guys gave up but if that was the best they got than the Dolphins have major concerns. The game ended at 41-17. Along with that, was any realistic scenario where the Dolphins make the playoffs. With the Colts, Ravens and Titans all winning, Miami is a game back with two to play. Not saying it’s impossible, but I’d be shocked if everything breaks Miami’s way.
Aftermath
The aftermath is not good. Yesterday’s beat down, showcased all of Miami’s flaws. It showed that the injuries to the offensive line at the beginning of the year have stuck with this team and that the guys that replaced Sitton and Kilgore are just regular guys who are not starters. This game showed that the Dolphin’s defensive line is made up of guys who are just names at this point in their careers. Also, injuries have plagued that unit as well. The linebackers were shown to be small, a potentially not disciplined enough group who consistently are not where they’re supposed to be. The secondary, looked confused at times, which is bad because they’re professionals and this has happened throughout the whole season. Finally, Tannehill completely erased his 8 TD 1 INT stretch in his last 3 games reverting back to the guy we all have come accustomed to seeing on Sundays. He’s not the guy of the future and if he’s the guy next year, well, it won’t be good.
Perhaps the worst part of yesterday’s outcome was this undisputed stat.
Absolutely sickening as a fan to see this. To not just lose on the road but to get completely worked over and over again is not a talent problem, it’s an attitude/culture problem. That’s bad because that is what Gase is said to of changed with this roster. He gets rid of all the attitude problem guys and replaces them with good locker room guys and the result is still the same. There’s only one constant in that equation and based on reading what’s been written about owner Stephen Ross today, it’s very possible he might be on his way out. I’m a Gase guy due to him winning games with a terrible depleted roster but when the same outcome is the result after everyone he’s gotten rid of you have to ask yourself; is he capable of righting this putrid ship? Like always when it comes to the Miami Dolphins, the answer is maybe, perhaps, I’m really not sure. Classic Dolphins.
Accepting Responsibility
So I take responsibility for what happened this week. My shoulders are broad enough to carry that. I realize that I should of known better, but like I said I got wrapped up in what happened last week. It was fun to think this team found their stride. I liked last week a hell of a lot more than the start of this week. I want to time travel back to last Monday where I was wearing my Dolphin’s sweatshirt and hat with pride. I’m definitely not going to watch that play a few dozen times this week and live in the past. Definitely not.
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