Big Challenge for Joe Philbin Today.

[Hayden Fox]

Many will come to this thread and say I am a "Nervous Nelly" or "Chicken Little", but that is not what this thread is about. While I have been critical of Joe Philbin, this is not a "rip Joe thread either". There are legit concerns coming into this game. To wave those concerns away or to say this is a "walk in the park" game is complete silly talk and will set people up for disappointment.

First of all, this coaching staff has many challenges. One is the fact that this team is coming off of a huge win at home in which they pulled off an upset versus a rival, but also used a ton of emotion and energy. What does this team have in the tank today? Yes, the game is a "must", but that does not mean they have the "juice" needed to win. Also, this team has major match up issues today. Buffalo matches up well with Miami. The Bills run offense is excellent and Miami's run stopping has underperformed. The Bills pass defense is outstanding. They get sacks from everywhere and cover well in the back half. Couple this with some wind today, Miami's pass offense is going to have issues today. Again, back to the coaching staff, how do they manufacture offense? More importantly how does Philbin manage the game today in order to find a way to win?

The team would not be in this spot if the team would have handled its business the first time versus Buffalo. If the team did not come out flat or simply finished strong (by running the ball and being willing to punt) they would not need this game as much. If the Dolphins could have beat a winless Bucs team, this game might not mean as much. Yet after storming back on the Bucs, they wilted and went away quietly. If the team could have closed out the Pats and Panthers after having double digit leads, this game would not mean as much. I blame much of these losses on the emotional and game management of the HC. Joe Philbin has done a great job keeping this team together and he and his staff coached a great, great game last week. However, the more you win down the stretch, the more expectations there are. This coaching staff has to find a way today in a very tough spot. Good luck to all.

 

[greasyObnoxious]

Many will come to this thread and say I am a "Nervous Nelly" or "Chicken Little", but that is not what this thread is about. While I have been critical of Joe Philbin, this is not a "rip Joe thread either". There are legit concerns coming into this game. To wave those concerns away or to say this is a "walk in the park" game is complete silly talk and will set people up for disappointment.

First of all, this coaching staff has many challenges. One is the fact that this team is coming off of a huge win at home in which they pulled off an upset versus a rival, but also used a ton of emotion and energy. What does this team have in the tank today? Yes, the game is a "must", but that does not mean they have the "juice" needed to win. Also, this team has major match up issues today. Buffalo matches up well with Miami. The Bills run offense is excellent and Miami's run stopping has underperformed. The Bills pass defense is outstanding. They get sacks from everywhere and cover well in the back half. Couple this with some wind today, Miami's pass offense is going to have issues today. Again, back to the coaching staff, how do they manufacture offense? More importantly how does Philbin manage the game today in order to find a way to win?

The team would not be in this spot if the team would have handled its business the first time versus Buffalo. If the team did not come out flat or simply finished strong (by running the ball and being willing to punt) they would not need this game as much. If the Dolphins could have beat a winless Bucs team, this game might not mean as much. Yet after storming back on the Bucs, they wilted and went away quietly. If the team could have closed out the Pats and Panthers after having double digit leads, this game would not mean as much. I blame much of these losses on the emotional and game management of the HC. Joe Philbin has done a great job keeping this team together and he and his staff coached a great, great game last week. However, the more you win down the stretch, the more expectations there are. This coaching staff has to find a way today in a very tough spot. Good luck to all.

of course you do

 

[Hayden Fox]

By the way, the Bills have been in every game they have played at home...even in Toronto. They are much better at home.

---------- Post added at 09:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:31 AM ----------

of course you do

You have to be fair though Greasy....praise him over the past few weeks, but many of those games they dropped could have been won with better management and stoking the emotion as such to get the players in an aggressive mood.

 

[NJPHINFAN79]

Well we will know in a few hours... If we rush the ball like we did in the cold in Pitt (highest rushing total all year 181) then we will win the game. As long as we don't turn it over like the last time we played buff. I can't wait to fly down next week and see my first home Miami game (so tired of giants stadium) as we clinch a playoff spot by humiliating the jets as a celebration...see some of you next week were we for the last time dont have to play in the cold...

 

[Hayden Fox]

It is disingenuous to say that Joe does not have a coaching challenge of getting these guys...who proven to play flat or let down in big spots...to play well today.

 

[Viper Prime]

I think these worried threads are Hayden's superstition. If he doesn't make a thread about being scared of the team we are playing, we will lose. It's only weird if it doesn't work!

 

[roy_miami]

Joe Philbin tweet:

I am stressed because I think the Bills win more match ups in this one.

 

[Hayden Fox]

I think these worried threads are Hayden's superstition. If he doesn't make a thread about being scared of the team we are playing, we will lose. It's only weird if it doesn't work!

I do look at what can go wrong and hope to discuss ways to prevent a team's strengths from overcoming the Fins. However, I just think it is obvious that what the Bills do well and the Fins not so well are so obvious. Plus, they are at home and while the Bills have not won a lot in the past dozen years, they have won games like this.

I am picking the Fins....yes.

 

[Wishfishin]

I'm guessing we'll see more more screen plays and read option to stall the pash rush of the Bills. Philbin's game management is progressing just as well as Tannehill's QB play. Last week vs. the Pats I thought he handled the end of the first half brilliantly. Joe is up to the challenge.

 

[Hayden Fox]

I'm guessing we'll see more more screen plays and read option to stall the pash rush of the Bills. Philbin's game management is progressing just as well as Tannehill's QB play. Last week vs. the Pats I thought he handled the end of the first half brilliantly. Joe is up to the challenge.

Joe was awesome last week.

 

[andyahs]

It is disingenuous to say that Joe does not have a coaching challenge of getting these guys...who proven to play flat or let down in big spots...to play well today.

At some point the players are to blame for playing flat. Millions of dollars and they need someone to pump them up in big games?

 

[zach attach]

Just like the players needing to step up this game, so does the coaching staff. I HAVE TO think that the defensive and offensive gameplans worked on this week have some added ammunition.

Everyone needs to step up to keep this going. Let's get 4 straight!

 

[Hayden Fox]

At some point the players are to blame for playing flat. Millions of dollars and they need someone to pump them up in big games?

I don't disagree. Leadership is needed from the players.

 

[CorduroyG]

Now isn't the time to be looking back. Despite those losses we still control our own destiny so who cares? Beat Thad Lewis and geno smith and we're in the playoffs. That's all that matters right now.

 

[DuderinoN703]

Many will come to this thread and say I am a "Nervous Nelly" or "Chicken Little", but that is not what this thread is about. While I have been critical of Joe Philbin, this is not a "rip Joe thread either". There are legit concerns coming into this game. To wave those concerns away or to say this is a "walk in the park" game is complete silly talk and will set people up for disappointment.

First of all, this coaching staff has many challenges. One is the fact that this team is coming off of a huge win at home in which they pulled off an upset versus a rival, but also used a ton of emotion and energy. What does this team have in the tank today? Yes, the game is a "must", but that does not mean they have the "juice" needed to win. Also, this team has major match up issues today. Buffalo matches up well with Miami. The Bills run offense is excellent and Miami's run stopping has underperformed. The Bills pass defense is outstanding. They get sacks from everywhere and cover well in the back half. Couple this with some wind today, Miami's pass offense is going to have issues today. Again, back to the coaching staff, how do they manufacture offense? More importantly how does Philbin manage the game today in order to find a way to win?

The team would not be in this spot if the team would have handled its business the first time versus Buffalo. If the team did not come out flat or simply finished strong (by running the ball and being willing to punt) they would not need this game as much. If the Dolphins could have beat a winless Bucs team, this game might not mean as much. Yet after storming back on the Bucs, they wilted and went away quietly. If the team could have closed out the Pats and Panthers after having double digit leads, this game would not mean as much. I blame much of these losses on the emotional and game management of the HC. Joe Philbin has done a great job keeping this team together and he and his staff coached a great, great game last week. However, the more you win down the stretch, the more expectations there are. This coaching staff has to find a way today in a very tough spot. Good luck to all.

Nervous Nelly!