This is not a must win. At least no more so than any other division game. Division games at home are "must-wins". I'd put road division games as still very important, but not the same level.

 

The sky is falling crowd will be out in force if we lose but its not a must win. That said, as we saw last year, every win matters. I would like to believe philbin and crew circled the buffalo games and made a point to win them.

 

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree! These teams are evenly matched. It's gonna be a fun game and a great measuring stick for the division. I expect a well played, hard fought game to the end. Emotions will be running high after a HUGE upset of the Bears, the Bills finding out the Bills are here to stay, Jim Kelly's first home game where he's cancer free, and the first home game since the passing of Ralph Wilson Jr! This will a game to see! Good luck!!!

 

what happened last year is meaningless for playoff implications this season. I can point to either the final Jets game or the loss to Baltimore last year as to why we also didn't make the playoffs.

 

All of the games are "must wins".

 

Not all of them. If we lose to the Packers, I'll be sad, but it won't be the end of the world. Even if we lose to the Broncos, same deal. Division games early in the season are must-wins.

 

Late season games at Buffalo in bad weather are almost always going to be a loss. I was very upset last year when that happened, but I wasn't suprised. You can circle games like that one and this year's game at New England as losses in April. As long as the team is unfairly trapped in this division, thats going to be the case, and we just have to win enough other games to overcome it.

This year, we're fortunate to play up there in September when the weather isn't going to be an issue. On paper, Miami is the better team, but the teams are similar in many ways with young QBs, strong running games, and elite defensive lines. The Fins need to exploit the Bills weakness at safety on offense, and need our corners to shut down their relatively week WR corps so that the rest of the D can focus on stopping the running game.

 

Yes, all of them. With only 16 regular season games, yes, they are all certainly, most definitely, "must wins". Ask any coach or player in the league, at any level, if some games aren't considered "must wins". Last season should show you. Whether or not losing to a certain team makes you sad or not or whether you realize it or not, they are all "must wins".

 

I agree this game is as close to a must win as there is at this time of the season. Would it kill us to lose? Not necessarily, but division games, as we all know are huge for playoff implications. Being 2-0 in the division is huge compared to 1-1. gives us a little cushion.

As far as team to team, I think this is a very even matchup. I think if Tannehill can make a few plays it will be all the difference. I am fairly certain that the new offensive line will be far better than the dismal performance we saw last year.

 

You cant overlook the benefits of not only opening the season 2-0..but 2-0 in the division.

Heres our schedule broken down into quarters:

Patriots
@ Buffalo
Chiefs
@ Raiders (London)

Packers
@Bears
@Jaguars
Chargers

@Lions
Bills
@Broncos
@Jets

Ravens
@Patriots
Vikings
Jets


Looking at our schedule...I believe it is crucial to win as many of the next three games as possible. If we can win 3 here, and just go .500 the rest of the season that gets us to 9-7. If we can win 4...that gets us to 10-6 if we go .500. We dont want to aim for .500 obviously...but it gives us a little bit of casino money to play with.

Right now, its the only Qtr of the season I can see us having a solid chance of going 3-1..or even better 4-0

If we loose against Buffalo...that makes winning against the Chiefs and the Raiders must wins, IMO.

 

No they are not. I think some of you don't understand the concept of "must-win". This thread started on premise that to win the division that this week's game vs Buffalo is a must win. You can still win the division if you are 7-1 or 6-2. With the parity this year, even 5-3 in division could still give you a shot. obviously this would be a very good win, going into Buffalo and stealing a division win on the road, but we can still win the division or make it to the playoffs if we lose this game.

 

I'd say the final four games has a decent shot of going 3-1 if we're healthy. breaking it up into quartiles, if we play well, I see 3-1, 2-2, 1-3 and 3-1. gives us 9-7, my prediction for awhile now

 

This thread belongs in the soap box. Every year someone posts this same dumb topic.

 

Love this Post VT: gives us a real chance to see which stretch of the season look most treacherous. Biggest thing is outside of the Patriots we shouldn't have any potential freezing temperature games.

I personally view this first tier of games to be our easiest of the season. While getting off to a hot start isn't always a predictor for continued success as evidence by our 3-0 start last year. That 3rd set of games going to Detroit/Denver/NY is going to be a rough one especially as all those teams can beat us.

Here is why this week's game is so important:
- 2-0 to start year
-2-0 in division (went 2-4 last year)
- Chance to go into bye week 4-0 with Chiefs/Raiders to follow

Crazy thing is with our rash of injuries I on envision the team getting more solid on the field. Depending on this vote for the drug policy we may be able to get Jordan/Jones back sooner than anticipated. Which would be a huge help as our LB core is like a walking plague out there. With Pouncey it feels like he is making major strides to return but judging off Satele's success last week and how he does vs. Williams/Dareus this week the Poe next week, I may wait to bring Pouncey back until after the week 5 bye.

Going back to the schedule the only game where I look at it as a more than likely loss is the Denver game, not saying its impossible just saying with that offense and in their home stadium a win would be a major shock to me. As VT said above if we lose to Buffalo it'll put much more added pressure on Chiefs game then Oakland in London.

Getting healthier will play a huge factor but starting 4-0 with the injuries and suspensions we have would be an achievement in itself and after the bye week it'd be like adding fuel to a stoking fire by getting starting caliber players back on the roster.

 

we also **** the bed down the home stretch.

 

But every year it's been true. We've lost must-win games and we've only made the playoffs once since 2001.

 

You're right. If we lose this week and end up 15-1 its all over. :001_rolleyes:

I think that you're mixing up "important game" and "must win game". Ever game in the NFL season is important. 10x more important than one MLB game, for example. But to say that you need to win them all (which is what must win means) is silly.

BTW, I've come to realize that whatever secret code "Parcells" guy means in under your username, it means I'm going to disagree with that person 99% of the time.

 

All games are must win until we secured our best possible seed in the playoffs...

 

I was going to respond to the others, but this sums it up for me. I completely understand the premise. I disagree. I think all games are "must wins". JHO.

 

Which has absolutely zero to do with this season

 

These teams have historically played close games, even thru the 'Jim Kelly Era'. The thing is, while that's a boost for the fans (and don't get me wrong, all of us here wish Jim the best), it likely won't be a huge bearing on the game itself... Given the recent history of this team (Philbin's tenure), it's prone to ups and downs from week to week. It's important that we beat the Bills, but that doesn't mean it's not important to the Bills either...as you said, these teams are both at crossroads seemingly every week...

FWIW, all preseason long I've felt the Bears were over-rated...this is the year that the Marshall effect begins for them...

 

I responded to the rest of your ridiculous points, but this comment just proves you are being a f-----g clown. I didn't put "Parcells Guy" there. The site did. I actually wanted that changed a long time ago. Great point flash.

 

I think when you phrase a game must win...it means that loosing that game means more then a typical loss.

I dont believe it takes a braniac to realize...its not said as a one and done.

Its a very big game is the point. When you look at our schedule..we have some tough stretches. Why do you have to argue..no its nit...its not a must when. Pause..step back..use the 6 inches between your ears and really think about whats being said.

 

I think it is a must win game..in that all of the momentum and confidence this team built up winning last week ..will be wiped away by a loss. All the fans and radio shows will be filled with..same old dolphins. To prove this is a different team..this game is HUGE

Think about the huge emotional boost that will multiply by beating the Bills in Buffalo..after last weeks win. You have a chance to make your mark now..you gotta do it.

 

I dont know thats the case though..KC and Oakland at this time dont look to really be barometer games like the Buffalo game is.

Just think about it if your a Dolphins player. If you were any of those players..you think they are going to Buffalo and not saying..We HAVE TO GET PAYBACK?

 

arguing semantics here. but by definition, a must win implies you can't lose this game. I can flip your statement right back at you. Here's an idea, how about we just call it a "big game" a "really important game", because it's not a must-win game. There, I used my oversized brain just fine.

If we lose this game (which would suck) but end up 3-1 going into the bye, all that matters is what happens the rest of the season.
A "must-win" game was the final game vs the Jets last season.

 

After playing competitive sports my whole life..there are some games and teams where you look at things different. Trust me..loosing to Buffalo is still gonna smart 3 games down the road. I can remember losses like that to this day...in seasons where we won alot of games.

 

Ok fine..have the OP change the thread to..this is a HUGE game this week..would everyone feel better?

 

yes, thank you

 

The other thing ..our next Buffalo game is right after we go to Detroit. Would everyone agree that would be a must win..or else we go 0/2 to Buffalo again.

Buffalo has a bye week..then home against KC..before our Thurs game.

I think they have it easier by far going into that last game with us.

 

F that. I don't care what else happens this season, that cannot happen. It just cannot.

 

I dunno man..our defense is gonn be gassed after defending Detroit..

 

Buffalo will have their new owner give a speach, they'll wheel out Kelly and some old 90's players, the flag will be huge the crowd will be pumped and loud for their home opener and we'll lose my 3 points and then we will drop ten spots in the ever so important "power rankings" then the sky will fall, comets will hit the earth as solar flares engulf us, dogs will be living with cats and the famous "see same old Dolphins" will show up everywhere.

Or we win by 3 points and we are going to the superbowl.

welcome to the message boards.