How big is the Tennese game?

[DolfanISS]

! game doesn't make or break a season. Having said that, winning the opener against a quality opponent would be huge for Fins. It would also shut up the media and other naysayers, at least for a week(!). After the doom and gloom of the off season (full of betrayal, injuries, trades, and etc...), a win on Sun (or Sat) would be the perfect elixir.

I don't really know if it will shut up the naysayers. CW has a point and the media will just have us breaking down in November and December. We actually haven't been that bad in those months of late. Last year Miami went 3-1 in November and 2-2 in December with the 2 loses coming against the Super Bowl champs (Pats) and the runner up in the NFC (Philly). Losing to better teams is hardly choking in December but it sounds fun to rival fans.

 

[SWS84]

I say it's this BIG! A little bigger than normal because you want to get off on a good foot, but it's not so big that if we do lose you go for the gas pipe.

Steve

 

[bigmiamifan]

I think the outcome of losing would be more negative from the media standpoint. If we lose I'm not saying the season is over, I'm saying I think the fins are cooked media bandwagon will be cranking more then ever. I was wondering, tho, if we won, what that same media bandwagon would be saying?

 

[BeatCrazy2]

I think its very important for our confidence.Its not necessarily do or die as far as us winning the game, but we must at least come out and move the ball, play tough, and show everyone we can compete. If we play horrible, it could damage our hope for the whole season with everything else thats already been weighing down on us.

That being said, I actually think we will come out and win the game surprising a lot of people.

 

[xiidaen]

I agree I'd hate to see a "The Sky Is Falling" attitude in here if we lose.

C'mon, we get that attitude before we've played a single game. This place will probably crawling with the harbingers of doom should we lose this game.

 

[TripleThreat]

Every game is big.

DITTO:drinkers:

 

[jesusfreak26]

I believe this is a big game. Not only is this our first home game of the season we really need to start off strong for confidence reasons. If we lose our season won't be over but if you remember right we didn't make the playoffs last year because of our record against AFC teams. Denver made it because of their AFC record and we didn't. With that being said we really need to beat Tennessee it will be a big help come the end of the year.

 

[Grumpy]

The Fish came out last year and lost to the Texans in opening week. They also failed to make to playoffs for the 2nd year in a row. I don't think the 2 are closely related .

A win against Tenn. would be big because no one expects them to win. If they lose, not that big a deal since they are expected to lose.

 

[Deus Ex Dolphin]

"Hello? You PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!!" :yell:

Sorry to quote a Jets coach, but that is the bottom line each week. Go out and find a way to win.

Is the season over if the Dolphins lose? No. The pressure will double though on Wanny, Jay and filter on down to the rest of the team.

A win will ease the pressure, as people will be inclined to accept that starting Jay for now was the right choice, and point out that this will be a team that improves each week as the season goes on. Why? Because the OL should gel, Gordon gets to be the #1 HB, Booker gets comfortable in the system and hopefully because Feeley steps in and plays well.

HOW the game is LOST versus the Titans is important too. Getting passed on all game long, giving up 100+ yds rushing to Chris Brown, losing 31-10 or around there would be VERY BAD. Crank up the pressure for the Bengals game a notch or three. :shakeno: Some will doubt the Dolphins have much of a team at all and think they won't get any better.

If the Dolphins lose a close game, 17-20 to the Titans then it hurts, but you know the team was competative and will get better as the season goes on.


So, not just a matter of winning or losing, but how the team looks doing either. Especially how Jay looks doing either. The defense winning it with an INT for a TD and Jay playing badly? Then the call for Feeley will increase, despite the W.