Why the Dolphins should (and will) play to win this week

[TarHeelFinFan]

There has been a lot of debate about whether the Dolphins should rest some or all of the starters against NE to get/keep them healthy for the playoffs. IMHO the Dolphins have every reason to play to win this week.

First, the logical. Most of the debate has focused on Miami's chances of getting the fifth seed, and rightly so. A first round game against a team with a QB controversy heading into the playoffs that isn't played outside in the cold? Potentially getting a Carr-less Raiders in round two and not having to play NE until after they play KC (should they beat Pitt)? The possibility (unlikely as it may be) of hosting should MIA and KC both make it through? Sign me up. People on the rest side of the debate have argued that the possibility is remote since it would also require KC losing to SD when KC might still win their division. However, there is another favorable playoff scenario that doesn't require that improbable loss by KC. That scenario plays out if Miami beats NE, KC does as most predict by beating SD, and hobbled Oak manages to beat Den who has nothing to play for. That would make Oak the one, NE the 2, and Mia the 6. While we would have to win at Pitt, that would give us Oak in round two and would pretty much guarantee the Pats would have to play a rolling KC in round 2.

Second is the emotional edge. Football teams are often creatures of momentum. Resting frequently backfires against teams better than we are. We need our team to be hungry every time it steps onto the field. Additionally a win over the Pats could get in their heads. That would make it 4 in a row at home, showing the Pats we can compete with them.


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[Fin Thirteen]

Gase is religious about treating each game as Week 1 and not getting distracted by outside events or standings.

I think he is absolutely right to continue now that we don't strictly need to win. He loses credibility if he strays, so sticking to the formula keeps the roster on a nice even keel will really help us psychologically going into our first playoff game. The fact a win can help us is an important bonus, but still just a bonus. This coach gets it and he knows that tanking the last game undermines the momentum they have built. Even if we lose to the Pats, going out and competing is the way to go.

Whether the players buy fully in and go full bore in the Pats game is another thing. I don't think we have the roster depth to punish anyone who goes off script and saves himself a bit for the knockout phase.

We may rest/save a couple of really borderline players as far as fitness, but I see us playing with a pretty full deck and I think it's the right call.

 

[kingfin23]

I really think are chances the best is to play to win. I have a weird feeling Chargers will upset K.C. That's the best odds we have. We lose then it's 100% Pittsburgh then New England. Best to win to have a shot in playing Texans and then Radiers. I just hope we can beat them without Ajayi. He really needs to rest. Drake can really use the work. I want a 100% rested Ajayi Week 18.

 

[BlueFin]

You play to win...and let the chips fall where they may!

 

[FlaFinest954]

Play them. This is their practice against a true playoff team. You win, you know what to do in the playoffs, you lose you know what you need to work on before the playoffs.

 

[ShorePhin]

There is no/yes answer to this question, this is a question of time of game. Both teams are very aware of what is at stake but neither can afford go any long period time with their starters pounding each other. The trick to this game will be punching these guys in the mouth first, and making them be afraid what they care about most, Tom Brady. We have all seen the formula we know how this works, the Giants are the ones who patented it. Make them afraid to keep him the game, Wake, Suh, and Branch need to have a picnic in the backfield with that fool, if they become conscience of his endangerment from a constant pass rush, BB isn't stupid he knows that discretion is the better part of valor, hope the late games break his way and get his key guys off the field. Same go for the Phins try and get some early bombs from Moore, sorry but i don't want j train touching the ball more than 20 times, so lots of Drake/Williams, get them to give up early 2nd quarter, this way the 2nd half is a lots of substitutions and let the game clock spin. Now the opposite holds true as well if they pull a head by a lot early, I fully expect Gase to the same thing call of the dogs and let guys like Wake, Ajayi, Suh everyone come off the field little by little and live to fight another day, a fight that is more important than this one. The 5th seed is nice it would be the cherry on this season and allow the team to fight from a position more advantageous road, but I am not afraid of Pittsburgh either and if this goes pear shaped early I want my best horses rested and ready for them especially Ajayi who can tear them another hole

 

[Despacio]

Gase has made it crystal clear the focus is on going "1-0 this week". There will be no resting of the players. I am super curios to see if Gase makes any adjustments coaching head to head against Belichick after being outcoached by him in round 1. Even if we lose in a close one the battle is worth the momentum similar to the Giants just barely losing to the Patriots at or near the end of the season in the Patriots perfect regular season and then going on to beat them in the SB. The experience and momentum matters and thankfully Gase gets that. So there's not much debate when your head coach has already made it known there will be no rest. I just hope it's not a blowout against us, that would be deflating.

 

[brumdog44]

Would be nice if winning meant that we wouldn't necessarily have to play NE in the second round should we get past the wild card round....but it doesn't.

 

[hilslo]

The chance of getting the Raiders in as the #1 seed, and our potential divisional round opponent, has definitely been glossed over. The Broncos seem to have given up and have some key injuries, so I wouldn't be that surprised if the Raiders beat them with a heavy emphasis on their ground game.

 

[Despacio]

The chance of getting the Raiders in as the #1 seed, and our potential divisional round opponent, has definitely been glossed over. The Broncos seem to have given up and have some key injuries, so I wouldn't be that surprised if the Raiders beat them with a heavy emphasis on their ground game.

There are a lot of people who also think McGloin can play solid. He's not a complete noob.

 

[hilslo]

There are a lot of people who also think McGloin can play solid. He's not a complete noob.

I honestly don't know anything about Matt McGloin, but given he's an undrafted backup starting by his first game of the season, and given the Broncos weakness is their run D, I expect the Raiders to lean on Murray/Washington. If we do meet the Raiders in the playoffs, it won't be an easy game, but it will be a lot easier than winning at Gillette. Maybe the Chiefs can do that for us. I can dream!

 

[Martel13]

I agree we should try to beat NE it would send a huge message. I don't see any way the SD beats KC though. KC is just too sound and SD is well....horrible

 

[dolphinron]

Suh rolled on top of Bradys legs last year in this game and almost crippled Brady. He wants no part of Suh and knows Suh will be out for him again. I think Brady truly hates going against dolphins d line.

 

[ChrisTRD]

Suh rolled on top of Bradys legs last year in this game and almost crippled Brady. He wants no part of Suh and knows Suh will be out for him again. I think Brady truly hates going against dolphins d line.

He has stated multiple times that Cam Wake gives him fits all the time and is one of the most disruptive D lineman he's ever facd.

 

[AJ Duhe]

I think having your starters play through injuries (Alonso, Albert, Tunsil, Bushrod, and more) the last couple of weeks made sense because we were pushing to make the playoffs. Now that we've made it, some of those key guys might need the week to heal up so they can practice without much limitation next week. It's not like they would be sitting as a precautionary measure. These guys need the rest.