phins_4_ever
E12 FH Tailgate Gang
Not much chitter chatter here but needless to say that this is the second time in a row where the home fans left completely happy. TBH I cannot recall the last time I went to two home games consecutively and I walked away totally smiling. Smiling not just about the win but how it was archived.
The score was much closer than it should have been and even early on when we went down it felt like "this game is not over". One big difference I saw: when we were down in the past we abandoned the run game. Yesterday we did not. The running game worked and we stuck with it. There was that 'oh oh' moment when Taylor threw that long TD pass late in the 3rd quarter though. It seemed for a moment like a DVR taped game: offense can't score TDs. But I think this was the only time I felt that we could lose the game.
After that it all fell into place - the right place.
There are many good things to talk about.
Couple of the bads
Here comes my special acknowledgement
The Fans
As a Miami Dolphins fan and on behalf of Dolphins fan who were yesterday at the game we talk full credit for the delay of game penalty by Buffalo in the first quarter. We also take full credit that on the next play they almost got another delay of game penalty. Yesterday we had a little taste of what this stadium could sound like when it is packed with Dolphins fans. I am not sure if it was coming through on TV but considering the stadium was about 5000 under capacity and had about 30% Bills fans it got quite loud at times. Job well done fans.
I also think that local fans slowly turning back to the Dolphins. I talked to a couple friends yesterday who have abandoned their Stadium days because if an inferior product and are willing to give it another shot against the Jets. We may not see the effects at the Jets game yet but a win in that game could do wonders for the fans to return.
Which brings me to the future.
One game at a time. My 8-8 prediction was based on a 4-4 record at the halfway point. The only games I was off was the flip Titans/Steelers. With a win against the Jets we would be right at 4-4.
But my prediction was also based on the Ravens, Cardinals and Chargers being much better than they appear to be right now. My prediction called for a 3-3 division record. It looks likely what we could reach that goal. Though since we are facing the Jets, Bills and Pats at the end of the season I am leaving those games aside for now.
Next up: Jets. A winnable game.
And the way we are playing right now it will be hard to beat us.
The score was much closer than it should have been and even early on when we went down it felt like "this game is not over". One big difference I saw: when we were down in the past we abandoned the run game. Yesterday we did not. The running game worked and we stuck with it. There was that 'oh oh' moment when Taylor threw that long TD pass late in the 3rd quarter though. It seemed for a moment like a DVR taped game: offense can't score TDs. But I think this was the only time I felt that we could lose the game.
After that it all fell into place - the right place.
There are many good things to talk about.
- [FONT="]Ajay hitting the holes
[/FONT] - [FONT="]Ajay having excellent vision
[/FONT] - OL coming together. They are excellent in the run game and getting much better in pass protection.
- I like our aggressiveness on D
- Tannehill playing very efficient. I said it over the years: stats mean nothing. I don't care how many TDs my QB throws. He first has to become a game manager. The last two games in which Tannehill produced 1 TD pass I feel much more confident about him than I did in all of his 4+ years with us. He looked like a QB who belonged on an NFL team. Don't get me wrong he had good games before but a good game was followed by 2 or 3 snoozers.
The one complained I have with him yesterday: when he scrambles out of the pocket to the sideline and nothing is open throw it out of bounds. There were a couple times where he was trying to force a play and he got caught one time for a loss of yards and the other time he risked injury for a yard gain. But that was not a biggy. Just something he should do next time. - Passing game in general. It was definitely overshadowed by the superb running game but it is now for the second game in a row against two pretty decent teams that the unit played consistently good. There were definitely the one or two head scratchers by Tannehill and the one or two 'god dam a drop' by the receivers but overall: outstanding.
Couple of the bads
- Landry: on 3rd and 15 you are on the receiving end of a pass which gives us a 1st down - DO NOT TAUNT. It gave us a 15 yarder. Do your little first down meme and continue on. That penalty sucked the air out of the stadium and our players.
His other penalty was superseded by a holding call but it was not necessary. I can see a fine coming.
I also can see a fine coming for a play he was not whistle for. It was either the same drive where he got the taunting penalty or the next offensive possession when he stepped on a defenders hand. And it was on purpose. If the league reviews the tape and sees that he could be in serious trouble. You are too good to become a liability because of stupid stuff. - The play was on the far side so I didn't see who it was but I believe it might have been Kiko. You are up by 11 with 3 min to go. Bills have 4th and 11 and you are forcing Rex to make the decision to go for it. Everything we have done on that drive worked and everything Buffalo has done did not work. They were walking around with hanging heads. And a stupid penalty gives them a 1st down and keeps them alive. If you play a team like the Packers or NE they punish you two plays later. Thankfully Buffalo took too much time of the clock but do not pump new life into a dead opponent.
Here comes my special acknowledgement
The Fans
As a Miami Dolphins fan and on behalf of Dolphins fan who were yesterday at the game we talk full credit for the delay of game penalty by Buffalo in the first quarter. We also take full credit that on the next play they almost got another delay of game penalty. Yesterday we had a little taste of what this stadium could sound like when it is packed with Dolphins fans. I am not sure if it was coming through on TV but considering the stadium was about 5000 under capacity and had about 30% Bills fans it got quite loud at times. Job well done fans.
I also think that local fans slowly turning back to the Dolphins. I talked to a couple friends yesterday who have abandoned their Stadium days because if an inferior product and are willing to give it another shot against the Jets. We may not see the effects at the Jets game yet but a win in that game could do wonders for the fans to return.
Which brings me to the future.
One game at a time. My 8-8 prediction was based on a 4-4 record at the halfway point. The only games I was off was the flip Titans/Steelers. With a win against the Jets we would be right at 4-4.
But my prediction was also based on the Ravens, Cardinals and Chargers being much better than they appear to be right now. My prediction called for a 3-3 division record. It looks likely what we could reach that goal. Though since we are facing the Jets, Bills and Pats at the end of the season I am leaving those games aside for now.
Next up: Jets. A winnable game.
And the way we are playing right now it will be hard to beat us.
