To Those Still Lamenting The Earlier Losses To Buffalo, Tampa Bay & Carolina

[nyashfan]

I would argue that, assuming the Dolphins win out and become the #6 seed, that scenario offers the Dolphins the best chance for playoff success.

Just recall that 3 times within the last few years it has been the #6 seed that had to win their last several games just to make the playoffs that went on to win the Superbowl. The Packers, Steelers & Giants come to mind.

I'm trying not to look too far ahead and realize that the Buffalo game will be very difficult and Jets games are always unpredictable. But should the Dolphins win out I think that the lessons learned from earlier losses will pay dividends down the road, no matter how the rest of the season plays out. As we have seen of late, it's not necessarily the best team that wins the Superbowl; rather, it's the hottest team which had to run the table just to make the playoffs.

 

[GoonBoss]

Losses to bad teams are never good.

 

[natetherock]

I think being in close games all year will help us down the stretch. Regardless of where we end up this year I think those close games have done wonders for Tannehill's development.

 

[El Calebra]

I am getting to old for these nail bitters. I will take any win. But I prefer to be ahead 40 points for the whole game!

 

[MarinoEqualsGod]

The thing is, I saw a stat yesterday that really surprised me:

In the history of the Miami Dolphins, they have only won THREE playoff games on the road. I suppose part of that is due to hosting a lot of playoff games, but with this franchise's success over the years, I found that hard to believe, even though I know it's true

 

[Oronde]

Yeah...this is where that whole correlation/causation/sample size thing goes into effect. I hope no one would actually argue that it's better to play on the road than at home.

 

[Miamifinz]

Nearly all good teams have bad losses, it's about how you finish. Let's win out and go into the playoffs red hot.

 

[BillsFanInPeace]

Here is to the Bills giving you another loss up in Buffalo this weekend

 

[Dick Pepperwood]

To Those Still Lamenting The Earlier Losses To Buffalo, Tampa Bay & Carolina...

I still am. Had we won 2 of these games, even heck, just the Buffalo game, which we should have Won, we would be in the drivers seat right now. It was said up above, never good to Lose to Bad Teams. I realize Carolina is good, but Tampa is not. Buffalo when we played them was vulnerable (practice squad QB) it would suck balls if that Game was the reason we don't make the Playoffs this year, we are good enough. Must win out now.

 

[jvw]

We have to win out, no way can we lose to either the bills or jets and deserve a place in the tournament....good teams finish strong, I won't even consider the thought of losing in the next two weeks, now this doesn't mean the games will be easy, it just means we will have more points than they will at the end of the 4th quarter......

 

[twohype]

I think being in close games all year will help us down the stretch. Regardless of where we end up this year I think those close games have done wonders for Tannehill's development.

Bingo :-)

 

[wonderl33t]

The two I lament are Buffalo and New England. Tampa we just played flat, and against Carolina we put up an okay battle despite being held scoreless in the second half. I seriously wouldn't have been surprised if Philbin & Co were fired after the Buffalo game.

 

[SB Dreamer]

To Those Still Lamenting The Earlier Losses To Buffalo, Tampa Bay & Carolina...

I still am. Had we won 2 of these games, even heck, just the Buffalo game, which we should have Won, we would be in the drivers seat right now. It was said up above, never good to Lose to Bad Teams. I realize Carolina is good, but Tampa is not. Buffalo when we played them was vulnerable (practice squad QB) it would suck balls if that Game was the reason we don't make the Playoffs this year, we are good enough. Must win out now.

Lost to one Thaddeus "Thad" Lewis on that dreadful day. Thad was the QB for the upstart Duke Blue Devils in College and although they are a perennial B-Ball powerhouse ...in football (Prior to this season) they have been less than stellar. Thad played a good game but that's my point...
He should not have against a good defense. We made him look like a All-Pro

 

[PCmor]

If we won those three games and win out, we'd probably be the top seed with a first round bye and two home games in the playoffs. That's the easiest path to the Super Bowl.

 

[nyashfan]

I would agree that for established perennial powerhouse teams like the Broncos and Patriots that getting the 1st round bye is important. I would also agree that for these teams losing to inferior opponents serves no purpose.

We are talking about a young, inexperienced team with a QB with no playoff experience. The realistic goal this year was to make the playoffs, not to win the Superbowl. This is a team for which winning a playoff game would prove to be an invaluable step forward going in to next year.

Since the Dolphins are an ascending team, losing to Buffalo earlier this year may lead to better focus and discipline and a greater chance to win this week. My point was that those earlier losses have allowed them to play their best football now, when it matters most.