One word can describe this game- adversity. Miami was without two key rookies, our RBs were suspect coming off COVID and playing the Jets is never a 'gimmie'. We really do hate each other that much to where it's always a game. Credit the Jets for coming out with a good defensive game-plan and a great opening drive. It was 10-0 before you could blink and that was a problem for Miami since no lead means no cover zero. Lots and lots of adversity to get through this game today, and it would have been very easy so say, "Well, it just didn't go our way....you can't blame the team under these circumstances." Instead, we completely shut down the Jets in the second half, slaughtered their QB and would have turned this into a blowout if it wasn't for a Tua pick-6. What to talk about first- let's go with Duke Johnson. Some of you will say he's clearly better than our existing RB's and off this performance, you might be right. He ran ultra-hard all afternoon. But you also have to realize, he's a S. Florida native that played at the U and he was brought in for Fins/Jets week- that's every Ft. Lauderdale player's dream game. He also had some decent help early on from the offensive line- there were actually holes up the middle on several occasions. But when there weren't, he'd bounce outside with an amazing cut-step and just bulldoze anyone who got in his way. Duke Johnson- we need him in the starting lineup the final three weeks. As I said, the line was significantly better than they have been this season on runs and pass protection. Tua has a mostly clean pocket for the majority of the day and it was refreshing to see some growth there finally. I know, it was the Jets, but our boys need confidence and consistency so it was very nice to see. For Tua, man....tough day. One one hand he did do enough to win, but today doesn't happen without our defense going into shut-down mode in the 2nd half. Tua was completely lost without Waddle and the quick outlets- Gisecki and Parker just can't get the separation that quickly. Ford had a few good catches and so did Wilson, but this offense just doesn't look or feel the same without Waddle. I don't look at stats before posting these- was it Tua's worst day ever in the pros? It had to be the worst this season anyway. Anyway, getting back to our theme of the day- adversity. A lot went wrong this afternoon and the Jets easily could have blown us out if this team didn't calm down and get to business in the 2nd quarter. I was personally glad to see the Jets with a little fight since it made it interesting and forced us to adapt on the fly. That one trick play by the Jets- the pass over the middle and then an overhand lateral to the sideline...that was beautiful! They only got the 1st down thanks to multiple missed tackles though. I'm very happy our boys settled in and took charge of the game. And for our trick play- the fake punt on 4th and maybe an inch- WTF? Punch the ball down their throat or kick the ball. Our defense held on the ensuing drive so it all worked out, but man...very stupid play call. Looking ahead, we're 1 step closer to the playoffs by doing our job. Now we need to do it three more times, each with a more difficult opponent each week. It's interesting that the Pats and Titans lost this week as well- the playoff picture is rapidly changing where beating the Titans in two weeks could give Indy the division and us a crucial tie-breaker head's up against Tenn...things are really coming into focus. But the biggest piece for playoffs is still on us- win three more football games. No excuses. No second-chances. Just keep winning and overcoming adversity.
It's worth noting that our OL problems have been squarely in pass protection, not run blocking, at least statistically. Statistically we have an above average run blocking line. ESPN's run block win rate (there's no great measure for OL but this is a decent attempt) has us at #9: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...opping-blocking-leaderboard-win-rate-rankings This is why we need a replacement for Gaskin. The guy really sucks, and I'm so happy we found someone that MIGHT be the solution. Johnson will have to prove this week in week out but 100+ yards in his first game is a great start.
My thoughts: Hope the one Jet is alright O-line looked pretty good although it was „just“ the Jets Can’t believe Duke is only 5‘9 best game of a running back in a long time hope he‘s our short term answer at RB Tua had a pretty bad game but stayed in it Some wierd play calling and clock management D woke up after us being down 10-0 it seemed the whole team needed to find their rhythm after the bye Don’t believe in play-offs yet but this team plays hard
Absolutely- I should have mentioned that right off the top. Really hoping he's okay- it scared the heck out of me when we didn't see him moving at all. At least he gave a thumb's up going into the tunnel.
If the line continues blocking the way it did, the needle is pointed up. A triumvirate of Johnson, Lindsay and Gaskin is actually decent if they have a chance of getting past the line. Might be seeing Tua under center more for play action if there's a legitimate threat of a rushing attack.
Nice to win without tua or the defense playing great. Running game basically carried us today. I think its pretty tell between the two games we got to watch of lindsay and duke that gaskins is really just not a good rb. I also dont understand what the dolphins are trying to do with gesecki anymore.
You could argue that Holland and Waddle our are best 2 players right now and we won without them. Important to remember this is the NYJ but you have to win these games in the NFL. looking forward, the Saints game is winnable but we’re going to have to play much better than we did today to win that. Then it’s meat grinder time to see if we can compete with legitimate playoff caliber teams.
BTW: If we're going for it on 4th and short, let's at least run an offensive set. Even if the trick punt play snap wasn't bobbled, it had little chance of succeeding. After we got chumped on that lateral, it seemed kind of bush for us to blow a trick play. Almost like a "Oh yeah? Let's see how you like this! Oopsies..." That - along with Tua's pick 6 - had me going through the cupboards for a bottle of hooch until I remembered I don't drink.
On a purely trivial and hollow note, please don't wear aqua pants with aqua jerseys again*. It looked like we were playing in hospital scrubs. *Unless we win every time, then I'll take the scrubs look.
Here is my thoughts of game. Running game and Def in 2nd half was dominant! Despite playing good the past 5 weeks Tua was awful today and the hypocrisy will start after they read my reply because on this site you are not a dolphins fan if you criticize the QB but your freely allowed to bash any other position.I don't care and I'll say it again he did not.play well today!
Nah, you're entitled to your opinion and should express it. With that being said, if your opinion is that a team with a trash OL and less than average RBs' biggest problem is QB, expect some pushback. The problem with a lot of Tua's critics is that they feel that they have to deny what he does well in order to support their criticism. He's still a very young QB and it's your prerogative to suggest that he looks like it. BTW: I always question who's the bigger fan, the guy who thinks his team's **** doesn't stink or the guy who believes that even a 17-0 team can be better? Personally, I believe I can see strengths and areas of opportunities on every year's team. Pointing to the strengths doesn't make me a homer and pointing to the weaknesses doesn't make me a troll. But I'm one or the other if all I do is praise or dis, with no hint of objectivity.
Nothing wrong with saying that- Tua did play awful today. There's also two sides to that coin and Tua led those scoring drives as well (and then threw a pick-6 when we were finally cruising to a win). But then he marched us right down the field again- luckily with a balanced attack so it wasn't all on him. Every QB is due for a bad day; it happens. As long as he plays great for 4-5 games though and then has a bad day (where he still manages to help us win), then I'm 100% content for now. We'll see what happens in the next three weeks though!
What are we going to remember the most from this season? Hunt's spectacular touchdown or Wilkins finally getting his number called on offense?
