It’s be a crazy week around ThePhins.com, and the game against the New York Jets was even crazier this week.  Just to set the table for this entry, here’s some nuggets to chew on:

  • The Dolphins are now 13-4 in their last 17 regular season games.
  • The Dolphins have won 12 consecutive games decided by 7 points or less.
  • Matt Moore revealed after the game he does not get ANY 1st team reps in practice.

Think about those two things.  Then consider Miami were down by 17 a the half a week ago against Atlanta.  Miami were down 14 going into the 4th quarter earlier today against the Jets.  They WON both.  What’s next – trailing by 21 in the final 5 minutes? Pass the Tums I have heartburn.

Miami’s win puts them at 4-2, currently tied in 1st place with Buffalo (C’mon Falcons, win tonight please!).  It wasn’t pretty today, starting with the field in wake of the Miami Hurricanes win over Syracuse on Saturday.  For the record, the Dolphins and Hurricanes have two more weeks of games on consecutive days – November 4th & 5th and November 18th & 19th.  That’s something to watch out for.

Miami’s defense struggled today with the Jets screen game, allowing big gains after the catch on the first drive to Bilal Powell and Matt Forte, setting up a TD pass where rookie Cordrea Tankersely, a co-hero a week ago, got burned.  Hey, it’s football.  It happens.  He had another issue in quarters coverage later in the first half and got burned again.

The Jets also had some success on the ground.  They ran for 92 yards and racked up 4.2 ypc, and we saw them getting exposed on the edges, particularly the edge opposite William Hayes/Ndamukong Suh.  Hopefully that’s something Miami can get cleaned up for Thursday, and especially in the mini-bye thereafter.

Poor tackling on a screen also gave the Jets a 1st down on a 3rd & 19.  That should NEVER happen.  The Jets scored a TD on that drive.  Miami also spotted the Jets cherry field position on Jay Cutler’s deflected pass that got intercepted and returned inside the 5 yardline by Muhammad Wilkerson.  14 points Miami essentially spotted the Jets.

That said, the Dolphins numbers, defensively, aren’t all that bad, other than 28 points allowed, of which 14 probably shouldn’t have occurred.  Miami held the Jets under 300 total yards, only 16 first downs, and with sacks only 180 yards passing – about 55 below what they’ve normally allowed.  Miami’s 3rd down defense held the Jets to 4 for 11 (should have been 3 for 11 if not for the screen on 3rd & 19).  Miami racked up 3 sacks and a key Bobby McCain pick set up the game-winning field goal.

Offensively, what do you say about Matt Moore? I mean, he came in and provided a spark and led a 14 point comeback in the 4th quarter.  He should get the nod on Thursday with Cutler banged up; and I wouldn’t argue you if you said he should have been starting since the London game.  Kudos to him today.  He led that comeback without Laremy Tunsil protecting his backside.  Tunsil’s played tremendously the past 3 weeks in pass-pro.  He did it without DeVante Parker.  He did it without much of a running game.

Miami’s interior trio of Steen, Pouncey and Bushrod were TERRIBLE today.  Completely terrible.  Ted Larsen’s coming back soon, but is that going to make that much of a difference? We can only hope.

Jarvis Landry, Kenny Stills, Anthony Fasano, and even Julius Thomas (yes, him) all made crucial catches in the comeback effort.  Landry, Stills and Fasano combined for 4 receiving TDs, and Fasano and Landry each had huge plays on the final TD drive.

The team never quit.  The team NEVER Quit.  And on the still perfect leg of Cody Parkey, they beat the Jets 31-28.

The injury report is ugly though.  Jay Cutler left with a rib/chest injury.  That may necessitate a change for the better.  DeVante Parker missed his second straight contest today.  Laremy Tunsil left the game with a knee injury.  Andre Branch left with a groin injury.  Miami better hope they get healthy in a hurry for Thursday Night.  They have a “mini-bye” after before the get into the second and third straight primetime matchups in a row.

For now, relax.  Crack a beer.  Grab some tums.  Enjoy a victory Monday.  I’ll let Cameron Wake finish this off for me.

 

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