Since the forum has been pretty dead lately, I figured I'd give my weekly prediction a little early this week. Miami is going to Chi-town, a team that's really been playing the run tight in recent weeks, and this appears to be a horrible match-up for us on paper. In reality though...well, it's a horrible match-up there too.
With that said, I firmly believe that this is a Dolphins squad that can beat anyone in the NFL on a good day...but I guess we can say that about almost any team out there. Still, Miami's defense deserves a lot of credit for the way they held in there last week and the special teams continued to produce as well. In fact, did you know that we're a top 10 team for defense, special teams, and rushing? We're above average in everything except passing the football, so don't take last week's loss as a sign of the apocalypse. This is still a solid team that gives any opponent headaches dealing with our pass rush.
Offensively this week, I am expecting to see a lot more creativity from Philbin and company, simply because I think his days are numbered if we don't put up a win this week. Now, I really don't think we're going to win BUT don't tell the Dolphins that, because I think they'll come out playing with a lot of intensity...especially in the 1st quarter. Miami will take the early lead and eventually settle in with the run game, so expect us to be in this one until the bitter end.
Since the topic of the week was "players win football games, not coaches," I have a little bit to add. The more I think about that statement, the more I think it's complete BS. Because no matter how you slice it, our coaching staff unnecessarily stopped the clock five times in the final four minutes of that contest (3 time-outs, 2 runs) and our players stopped it three more time (tackles out of bounds). Take any one of those mistakes away and that fake spike becomes a last second desperation play to score...and I'm pretty sure we win the ballgame with our corners playing on their defenders in that situation. Then again, if Philbin kicked the easy field goal in the first half, then we're in overtime and it's a new ballgame.
So yes, coaches do lose ballgames and Philbin made several critical mistakes last week. So my X-factor for the week for Miami is none other Mr. Joe Philbin and the trust he puts in Ryan Tannehill. You may remember earlier this week I said that we haven't even thrown deep to Wallace on a go-route in almost a month, and I am all but convinced that Joe has given up on that completely. That needs to change, and quickly, or Philbin will be gone before Tannehill is- that's my main prediction of the week.
Back to the game though- our team is good enough to win this match-up, but we need to trust our QB and find ways to run the football effectively. The defense will show up, as usual, and so will the special teams and Mr. Landry. So once again, it all comes down to what we do on 3rd and 9 with the clock ticking down. If old Joe can figure that out then we win this game...but this is a 2nd week in a row that I wouldn't bet on it.
Final score- Bears 33/Phins 27
...and by the way, I'd be tickled silly if I'm dead wrong here. So feel free to come back and call me an idiot if the Fins win by 20. Nothing would make me happier, but I have a sad feeling that I'll be 5-1 on my Fins picks for the year after this one.
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Funny that you mentioned " if the fins win by 20", because I told a co-worker yesterday that the Dolphins will win 40-20. Pretty wishful thinking on my part obviously but why cant it happen? And why cant we go on a 4 or 5 game winning streak and be right in the playoff hunt? (I know the obvious, popular answers to these questions but I`m just trying to be positive after last weeks gut wrenching loss we all suffered.) Is it too much to ask for that this team gives us reason to believe ? Apparently so, but.... why not ???
KeyFin likes this. -
when you don't know what your gonna get from your qb its hard to predict scores..he's talking a good game, that nows the time to put 4 quarters together, lets see him put one together.
jelani jenkins matches up very well with matt forte, he could literally win the game for us if he wants to make a statement for an upcoming star linebacker. -
vt_dolfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member
24-10 Chicago beats us...
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27-20, bad guys.
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27-20 Chicago.
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PhinFan1968 To 2020, and BEYOND! Club Member
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I have us going on a three game winning streak..
I don't think the bears are as tough as we are.
ryan..just elevate your game..sustain it..and get pissed off.RGF, first&goal, Rocky Raccoon and 3 others like this. -
I think we win tomorrow. Chicago is similar to us, where they don't always show up, their big players don't always show up. The game will take on life if it's own, and we will be scratching our heads "why can't we do this every week." Until the next disheartening loss...but it won't be tomorrow.
30-17first&goal and KeyFin like this. -
37 - 10 Da Bears the ship has sunk. Let's talk DRAFT!
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35-10 Bears
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Forte is a beast.
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The Bears are a lot like we are. A big fat inconsistent team. I honestly have no idea what will happen but I wouldn't be surprised no matter what. From listening to the players this week I think they're pissed they let the game slip away last week and they were raving about how good the practices have been this week. I believe Tannehill said it was the best practice week we've had all year.
Here's to hoping for a bounce back victory!cuchulainn likes this. -
Man, closing out the first half at 5-3 with a 3 game win streak sounds wonderful. I think we're fully capable. Let's hope!RGF likes this.
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That's encouraging. Hope it means something tomorrow.
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For what it's worth, Tannehill seemed extremely confident in his press conference. Like he really believes in himself and the team. It's nice to see but all that matters is what happens on the field. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
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I've always loved him off the field. Have always felt that he handled himself well.Rocky Raccoon likes this.
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Me too. Good kid who everyone likes. Makes me want him to succeed ever more.
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Just read the Dilfer comment about maybe he's too nice. Never thought of that. Maybe it's hard to be too cranky when you go home to Lauren. :yes:
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Not sure about the game tomorrow, however I believe the Phins are the better team and hopefully we can win.
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Lamar Miller is going to have a big game, that is my prediction. He's an underrated back.
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PhinFan1968 To 2020, and BEYOND! Club Member
Ya it's like he's almost TOO calm and cool all the time...would love to see some fire, but it may just be against his nature. It'll have to come from Lazor and/or other players...it can't come from Queasy. -
31-27 Bears.
Offense plays well, but a couple of fumbles by Miller and a WR cost points, and the defense struggles to stop Forte and the secondary gets roasted by Marshall and Jeffery.
Oh, and yes, more questionable coaching decisions by Queasy. -
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Well he didnt want to be labeled as a pessimist by the optimist group so he put the numbers close in hopes to be in good standing with both fan groups. What he really meant was 31-10 Bears.
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My fear is that Philbin will go into groundhog/ostrich mode - and not have the necessary reproductive organs to coach and play 'the let it all hang out,' 'play for the win,' 'balls to the wall' style of play which is necessary to win now, today - in THIS game - and the next, and the next, and the next. I can forgive a gambling coach when something does not work out. But, a coach who plays to avoid mistakes at ALL costs needs to have the size 13 motivational device applied to the appropriate anatomical structure - forcefully - and if necessary - permanently. I am tired of seeing players and coaches who play afraid - afraid that the play won't work, afraid to make a mistake when 'going for IT!', afraid to take the shot when it's there, afraid that if they blow it this time, on this play, that the possibility of another play in which the opportunity for a game changing moment will never be called because the coach is TIMID! When the coach is 'TIMID' the team is handicapped by that aspect on every play, because one will never know what will happen if the coach continually takes the 'safe' way.
If our coach has ANY fire, any gumption, any 'hell for leather' attitude anywhere in his cranium or gonads, now is the time for it to appear.Alex44 likes this. -
Well in that thread where we were all guessing the wins and losses left on our schedule...I came to 9-7 after choosing a loss to GB and a win against Chicago. So I guess I have to predict a win here don't I?
Miami 27
Chicago - 17 -
[video=youtube;ygQvB6OjHOU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ygQvB6OjHOU[/video]
Tannehill to the Bears defense. -
Let's hope for better results. Both those guys were losers in the end.
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Didnt Rocky end up breaking him instead? i guess that fits TAnnehill.
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PhinFan1968 To 2020, and BEYOND! Club Member
We're not playing Philly...silly... :) -
Miami 16
Chicago 13
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Da 'Fins Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member
Could not be HAPPIER to be Dead Wrong about the outcome here!!! :)
Love it. Loved how RT played. Sometimes our offensive play calling is stellar, imo. Great mix of pass and run. And the OL is light years better this year than last.
But, then, other times I think the play calling is irritating. Should not have gotten conservative inside the 10 at 24-7. But, otherwise, pretty good plays and RT put up great numbers.KeyFin likes this. -
This went almost exactly as I thought it would. We should have had 40+ in this one.
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