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The Question For Saban & Dolphin Players:

Da 'Fins

Da 'Fins

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Why is it the Dolphins seem to be able to win when the games are not as important, but not when a game is really meaningful?

Whenever it appears they are out of the running - they start to win. But, put them in position where winning is crucial (when you are 1-4 early in the season and need a couple of wins; or when you are 5-6 and need critical conference victory) - and they don't perform.

I'm not sure I know the answer. The fact is, athletes perform better when they play loose and have a "nothing to lose" mentality. But, it's the great teams and great coaches that are able to play that way when the games are the biggest.

If this is the third game of the season, I just don't see the Dolphins winning 21-0 (though, I do think we would be very competitive - we always are against the Patriots).
 
I know everyone will probably hate me for this, but it seems like we cannot get pumped for two games in a row. The run of 4 we had earlier was not really a good indication since the only real team we beat was Chicago. Take USC for instance. They were up during the Notre Dame game and then went flat against UCLA. I wholly expect to come out flat in Buffalo next week. Again, please don't pile on. I am just stating my expectations based off our recent history. Aside from that, GO PHINS
 
They seem to have been this way lately. They can't perform under pressure when their expected to win. But their great in the underdog role when nobody expects them to win. I just think its a mental thing and a mindset. Its like when I used to take tests in school. I would do great on the practice tests, but when I took the real test, I would freeze up. They freeze up under pressure.
 
MiamiDLFIN said:
I know everyone will probably hate me for this, but it seems like we cannot get pumped for two games in a row. The run of 4 we had earlier was not really a good indication since the only real team we beat was Chicago. Take USC for instance. They were up during the Notre Dame game and then went flat against UCLA. I wholly expect to come out flat in Buffalo next week. Again, please don't pile on. I am just stating my expectations based off our recent history. Aside from that, GO PHINS
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Week 8 BYE
Nov 5 @Chicago Won 31-13
Nov 12 Kansas City Won 13-10
Nov 19 Minnesota Won 24-20
Nov 23 @Detroit Won 27-10
Dec 3 Jacksonville Lost 10-24
Dec 10 New England Won 21-0

I do not agree with your statement about the Bears being the only real team we beat. The Chiefs were on a 4 or 5 game win streak when we faced them and we all know the outcome of that one. What about Minny they stopped our running game completely and well Jacksonville is no slouch even though we should have won that one. But like I said this is only my opinion. I believe that every game is like a playoff game from here on out for us. I think we win against Buffalo this week.
 
I have no clue, it could be a mental thing like how Tom Brady always struggles against us.
 
This team is 5-1 since the bye week. This team beat some pretty good teams in that run. The one team we lost to could be the hottest team in the league right now.

And you just dont win every game in the NFL. Thats just the way it is.
 
Da 'Fins said:
Why is it the Dolphins seem to be able to win when the games are not as important, but not when a game is really meaningful?

Whenever it appears they are out of the running - they start to win. But, put them in position where winning is crucial (when you are 1-4 early in the season and need a couple of wins; or when you are 5-6 and need critical conference victory) - and they don't perform.

I'm not sure I know the answer. The fact is, athletes perform better when they play loose and have a "nothing to lose" mentality. But, it's the great teams and great coaches that are able to play that way when the games are the biggest.

If this is the third game of the season, I just don't see the Dolphins winning 21-0 (though, I do think we would be very competitive - we always are against the Patriots).
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Coaching has a lot to do with it.
 
Not sure I subscribe to that since the bye ....

We really did get beat by a very good team in JAX ... yes, the TOs didn't exactly help in that game AND it was the only game since the bye that the DEFENSE was manhandled ...

The D shouldn't be pushed around in any of the last 3 games -- so all 3 are 'possible' wins ... the 'challenge' is that 2 of them are on the road ....

I believe that they will take great pride in eliminating the BILLS & JETS from the playoffs and making INDY go on the road
 
Its just frustrating when you see glimpses of a team that can beat contenders like Chicago and NE but then you remember we have no shot at the playoffs because we lost to Houston, Buffalo and Green Bay (the last two at home) early on. Again, its very frustrating.
 
insom187 said:
Its just frustrating when you see glimpses of a team that can beat contenders like Chicago and NE but then you remember we have no shot at the playoffs because we lost to Houston, Buffalo and Green Bay (the last two at home) early on. Again, its very frustrating.
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Agreed. I think if we had played Green Bay in one of the last 3-4 games - we would have defeated them. Same with Houston.

But, put us in a game with expectations earlier in the season - we lose or almost lose.

It will be interesting to see what we do at Buffalo. Right now, weather wise, it is predicted to be in the low 40's and partly cloudy for Sunday. That's really not too bad - ideal football weather, imo. I bit cold, but if you can't handle that - you don't belong in the NFL. Very different if its 15 degrees.

The wind may be a factor, however, as we don't have a great running game.

Also, the Bills running game is very good right now. That could be a difficult matchup for us.

Perhaps part of the reason for certain struggles is matchups - Jacksonville has a tremendous running game. Maybe the best in the league, overall.

But, I generally agree, there is a mental issue with this team. That may be Saban's biggest hurdle. Of course, talent at the right positions can overcome that.
 
We lost early in the season because of the roster and coaching turnovers in the offseason. The team needed time to work together and gel and learn what works, and it seems like they have finally found winning formulas. Hopefully instead of rebuilding next year, we are just tweaking this offseason and come out of the gates firing.

And we beat damn good team on our wining streak. Unfortunately Garrards mobility was something we have not yet learned to handle, but its not like they blew us out. The future is bright.
 
dabeastdabone said:
Coaching has EVERYTHING to do with it.
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Yea our coaches suck. That is the most logical reason why we are not in the playoff hunt.:shakeno:
 
saves said:
We lost early in the season because of the roster and coaching turnovers in the offseason.
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Yeah, as we know the Dolphins are the only team in the league that has this excuse.....errrr...legitimate reason.

The teams that beat the fins early, like Houston, Buffalo, Greenbay, NY Jets all have had rock solid rosters for years and would not have such issues.

*sarcasim*
 
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