5-3 and we just beat a good team. God this feels very good.

 

Really didn't expect a win today. Defense on the road come up big again. Tua looked really good. Made a few mental mistakes but its game 2 against a VERY good arizona team and we gutted one out on the road! Impressed and pleased.. Schedule doesn't get easier for a bit but I am think we can actually be a 9-7 10-6 team this year!

 

I still think we'll win 7 or more straight before our next loss (I've been saying we'd win 5 of the next 6...but that was counting today as a L). Was super nervous when we kicked the field goal with 3 minutes left...we all knew Arizona would come marching back. But it turned out to be the right call and it was awesome being on the other side of that scenario for a change.

Great team win and some good stuff for Tua- the offensive production really died down when Preston Williams got hurt. I'm really excited to see how this offense develops in the weeks to come though...this is the best team we've had in decades folks.

 

Me too....but Gaskin was out and it takes guts to have Tua dive for it a 2nd time on that drive, that's EXACTLY what happened to the Cardinals on the prior drive. I'm glad it worked out because that play was 100% pivotal- we easily could have lost it from that decision. I'm ecstatic that it worked out though!

 

When was the last time we won a game like this? Last year against the Pats shouldn't really count. Seriously though...When was the last time we gutted out a game like this? On the road, down by a score, against a high potent offense, with a red hot QB? I seriously cannot remember the last time we pulled one out like this! 2016? The playoff year? This feels good, that's all I know! Tua is an absolute winner!

 

When was the last time the Dolphins had a QB that looked like he could consistently CARRY the team to a win, you know.. when everything else isn't clicking? Yup.. with Dan Marino.

This 2020 QB draft has a serious shot at matching that 1983 draft with Tua, Burrow and Herbert vs. Marino, Elway and Kelly. All 3 would have to end up in the HoF to match that 1983 draft though. Regardless, with Flores as HC, Tua has a serious shot at ending up the best (and most accomplished) of the 3.

 

I said the same thing last week in a different thread!

 

Great minds think alike!

Yeah, it's something I've been suggesting ever since I saw Burrow and Herbert play at the NFL level late September. Was just waiting for Tua, and the wait is now over.
https://www.thephins.com/threads/ugh-burrow-going-to-be-a-stud.95402/page-2#post-3298348

 

The NFC West is widely considered the best division in the NFL right now, and we went 3-1 against them. This team is legit.

 

What’s cool about this team is every time I expect them to wilt under pressure, they do whatever it takes to win the game. We’ve seen so many last minute collapses and what if’s that it’s hard to trust. But this team just continues to find different ways to win games.

Ive never been so excited to be a dolphin fan and they’re only going to get better.

 

Right?

It feels weird!
Beating decent teams and it not being a freak event... "Oh hey, we were just better than you. That's odd. Better luck next time... on to the next!"

 

Remember when I said I dont like Tua but I want to be wrong?

Well hopefully this win proves it because I'm here to say he played much better than I ever thought he could and I'm thrilled about it.

He did make some mistakes that made me cringe, even his long run that spin was ugly and dangerous, he needs to not hold the ball out like a loaf of bread evading defenders and that throw near the sideline was inexcusable and lucky it didnt lose us the game with how close it was, an interception with good field position and momentum is big on their side early.

That said, he did a hell of a lot of good to great things too. If he can erase the things I listed there we have a QB.

 

You and me both on Herbert. I'm a Oregon Season Ticket holder, and Herbert is really surprising me. Not going to lie..it kind of hurts (for selfish local Eugene kid reasons), but I was 100% with Miami on the decision they made. I REALLY hope Herbet goes on to have a HOF career (2nd only to Tua). I'm also tempering expectations. Early rookie success happens, the REAL test is next season when teams have tape and start to game plan for him.

I'm also concerned that they're going to roll the FO and he'll have to pick up a new system and gel with big turn over.

 

Now i'm going to start paying attention the the Colts, and Raiders schedule. I'm also not counting out a collapse from Buffalo which leads us to taking the division. Not saying it's gonna happen, but it's still very early.

 

Some of those teams will beat each other up. Colts and Titans play each other twice, starting next week, Colts and Raiders play each other, Titans and Ravens play each other, and Browns (who are also 5-3 and the 8th seed) play the Titans. Furthermore, we play the Raiders and Bills as our last two games, so we control our destiny AND get some help doing so.

 

They dont really have to collapse. The loss column is what really counts and we play them again.

 

They have a 1.5 game lead (since they haven't had their bye yet) so we need them to lose at least four games total. Rooting big for Arizona to handle business next week and they also have the Steelers later on. The good news is that they've played down to weaker competition (beat Jets by 8, Pats by 3) so hopefully someone unexpected steals a win down the stretch. Beating the Seahawks yesterday was a huge win for them and completely unexpected.

Ultimately, it doesn't matter though...all we can do is keep winning.

 

Wait explain to me why they need to lose four total?

Let's say neither team lost a game the rest of the season except our matchup we win. Okay so it goes to tiebreaker in that scenario and I think they win on division record.

Let's say they lose two games and we dobt lose any. That means we win straight up.

Now I dont expect us to run the table so I'm guessing your 4 number is just accounting for the fact we may lose a few more?

 

Yeah, I'm thinking we'll lose a few more and end up around 10-6 or 11-5.

 

I’m trying not to be too big of a homer and keep my expectations around 10-6. That would have far exceeded my preseason expectations. If we win 11 or 12 games, I’m gonna need someone to pinch me.

 

btw.. last time this team started 6-3 was in 2001, and we have a chance next Sunday to do that. 19 years ago! That's how bad this franchise has been lately and how good Flores and Tua may be. We actually started 9-3 in 2001. Not there yet of course, but it's already been 6 years since we had our last 5-3 start (in 2014). And just to close out those stats, last time we started better than 9-3 was in 2000 with a 10-3 start, then 1990 with an 11-3 start, and then of course 16-3 in 1984 where we lost the SB. Let's see how far we get lol.

 

I am a big homer and I felt when the season started we would go 10-6 this year.

After watching the last 2 games I feel I may have been a bit low in my prediction.

 

I had us at .500 plus or minus a game. If we exceed that it's a major win in my book. Though from where we stand at 5-3 I have to say 8-8 would be a bit disappointing now.