Dolphins Blow Halftime Lead

The Miami Dolphins looked like they had something cooking against the Patriots taking an early 17-3 lead going into halftime. 

Dolphins defensive back Dimitri Patterson made a nice play at the beginning of the game cutting off one of the Patriots receivers to pick off Tom Brady.  The Dolphins eventually scored a touchdown from a nice play by Ryan Tannehill.  Here is the link to the Dolphins first touchdown.http://www.miamidolphins.com/multimedia/videos/Tannehill_TD_Pass_To_Gibson/732ef40e-4bcd-4b7d-be76-2012c6a24492


Tannehill celebrates with Daniel Thomas after passing for a touchdown

After taking an early 7-0 lead after the first quarter, the Dolphins added to their lead with another touchdown pass from Ryan Tannehill.  Tannehill dumped a pass off to running back Daniel Thomas who ran it in for a 5 yard touchdown to make it 14-0.

New England responded with a field goal and the Dolphins were up 14-3 going into halftime.  Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was held to only 31 passing yards.  That's amazing considering how good Tom Brady is.

Then came the second half...

New England ended up scoring 24 unanswered points in the second half to beat the Dolphins 27-17.  Once again Tannehill got sacked six more times and fumbled the football twice.  Plus he threw two interceptions. 

Its the same problem every single week for the Dolphins!  Pass protection and turnovers.  Tannehill got sacked multiple times again and still has a fumble issue.  Here is Ryan Tannehill after the Patriots game.http://www.miamidolphins.com/multimedia/videos/Tannehill_Speaks_After_Patriots_Game/3ec6e6e3-edac-45b4-884f-e17072b0b746

 

 





This is the fourth straight loss for the Dolphins.  First time since 2002 that a team has started 3-0 and then lose their next four games.  Last team to do that was the New England Patriots.

If Miami wants to save their season, this next game against the Cincinnati Bengals will make or break their season.  If they win and improve to 4-4, they still have a shot at making the playoffs.  If the Dolphins lose, I say their season is in turmoil and is pretty much over. 

Dolphins play this Thursday against the Bengals.  Let's hope they can come out on top with a win!

Crucial Loss at the End of the Game

Another loss for the Miami Dolphins...

This is definitely getting old now losing 3 straight games after winning the first 3.  The Dolphins looked like a serious team that had a chance at taking over this AFC East division.  I honestly do not think that way anymore.

This game against the Bills was a HUGE game since it was a divisional game.  The Dolphins needed a divisional win to put themselves above the Bills in the standings.  Go figure though they blow this game at the end.

Gibson makes an acrobatic catch for a touchdown

Tannehill started the game by throwing a pick six that put the Bills on top of the Dolphins early in the game.  The Dolphins found themselves down early 14-0 but got back in the game when Tannehill threw a touchdown to Charles Clay.  Link to his touchdown right here.http://www.miamidolphins.com/multimedia/videos/Highlight_Tannehill_7Yard_TD_Pass/2096107d-7ab4-4be5-8f76-69a0ec4d9210

Late in the game the Dolphins had themselves up 21-20 with 3 minutes left in the game.  Tannehill has had a huge problem with sacks and fumbles this year.  What does he do with 3 minutes left in the game?  He gets sacked and fumbles the ball that set up the winning field goal for the Bills.

It is getting old seeing Tannehill getting sacked and fumbling the ball every single game!  He has to learn how to protect the football.  Dolphin fans I'm not going to lie here but I'm not on the page with others that Tannehill is the right answer. 

He has not shown any improvements from last year to this year.  He is making too many mistakes and needs to improve on a week to week basis.  I'm not saying that he is a horrible quarterback and that he has no talent.  Tannehill has the talent to be a star QB but he needs to improve and not make silly mistakes.

Here is highlights of the game with Tannehill fumbling at the end of the game.http://www.miamidolphins.com/multimedia/videos/Highlights_Bills_vs_Dolphins/e2667418-8882-41a5-9e89-941cddbe8e99 

With losing three straight games, the Dolphins find themselves 3-3.  They play a huge divisional rival game next week facing the Patriots at New England.  This is going to be a pivotal game for the Dolphins if they want to get back in the race in the AFC East. 

Coming Off the Bye Week

This past week the Miami Dolphins were coming off of their bye week at a record of 3-2.  The Dolphins had a lot of work they needed to accomplish on their bye week.  Three key factors the Dolphins worked on was the running game, Tannehill getting on track with the receivers, and trying to get healthy.

If the Dolphins want to get back on track winning again, the running game needs to get going.  You can not just blame it all on the running game though.  In order to have a good running game, you need a good offensive line.  Dolphins have not had that this year.  Giving up way too many sacks and can not block for the running game.

The Dolphins worked on their offensive line and the running game this bye week.  Hopefully it gets going against the Bills this upcoming week.

Team getting ready for team photo took during the bye week.

Tannehill worked on chemistry with his receivers during the bye week.  Tannehill has said that he feels like the offense will take it to the next level and coming off the bye.

Tannehill feels like he has gotten a lot more familiar with his receivers and especially Mike Wallace.  Tannehill wants to throw the ball more down field and he has the opportunity now with Wallace.  The two worked on connecting with each other this past week.  I hope we get to see that happen against the Bills.

Here is Tannehill speaking at a press conference. 
http://www.miamidolphins.com/news/article-1/Tannehill-I-Feel-Like-We-Are-Right-Back-On-Track/2c4bc1b2-9ef8-4869-9aff-8fbffd5d50c4

The Dolphins feel like they are getting back healthy.  Defensive end Cameron Wake has been playing hurt the last couple of games.  He feels like he has improved health wise tremendously so hopefully we get to see the real Cameron Wake who racks up sacks each game!  Below is a link to Wake talking at a press conference.http://www.miamidolphins.com/multimedia/videos/Wake-Feeling-Good/0cda6849-6f10-492b-b70a-9f3da80ff6de

The Dolphins will play the Buffalo Bills this upcoming Sunday which will be their first divisional game of the year.  The Dolphins need to step up their game to get back on track winning again.

 

Coming off the bye, hopefully the Dolphins are refreshed and ready to win again! LETS GO DOLPHINS!!!

 

Another Loss For the Dolphins

The Dolphins came up with another loss this past Sunday against the Ravens.  By a score of 26-23, the Dolphins lost their second game in a row to fall to a record of 3-2.

Perfect time for the bye week for the Dolphins who have looked awful the last two weeks.  In my last blog I talked about how the Dolphins were going to beat the Ravens.  By not turning the ball over and not allowing any sacks.



Mike Wallace makes a catch on a 46 yard pass

The Dolphins won the turnover battle by not throwing any interceptions or fumbling the ball.  However, the offensive line was terrible once again and gave up a total of 6 sacks in the loss.

Before I start talking about what the Dolphins need to do to improve in the bye week, lets look at what they did well.

The chemistry between Tannehill and Wallace looked like it was improving Tannehill hooked up with Wallace for 7 catches and 105 yards.  Tannehill connected to Wallace on a deep pass that went over 40 yards that fans have been waiting to see.  Here is a link to Wallace's big catch.
http://www.miamidolphins.com/multimedia/videos/Highlight_Mike_Wallace_49yard_Reception/567f1f0e-8c78-4bab-a5ed-f17b866c3621

Another key factor that the Dolphins did well was that they did put pressure on Joe Flacco.  Rookie defensive end did a nice job putting pressure on Flacco.  Jordan hit Flacco's arm and safety Reshad Jones picked off Flacco on that play and returned it for a touchdown.  That tied the game in the fourth quarter at 23-23.


Dion Jordan gets pressure on Flacco to force an interception.

http://www.miamidolphins.com/multimedia/videos/Highlight_Reshad_Jones_INT_TD/6173ab37-9be6-432d-96f9-54b18a4f4561
Above is the link to the pick six that Reshad Jones makes that tied the football game.

Now to what the Dolphins need to improve on in their bye week.  The offensive line needs to figure it out.  Their are allowing way too many sacks.  Tannehill is not going to last long in this league with the offensive line he has.  You have to protect your quarterback if your going to win in this league.

Dolphins gave up another 6 sacks in the loss to the Ravens.  The Dolphins are on pace to give up a record 92 sacks this year.  NOT GOOD!!!

Another area the Dolphins need to get going is the run game.  They only had a total of 22 rushing yards in the loss this past Sunday.  In order for the passing game to work, the running game needs to get going. 

22 rushing yards is not going to get you a win.  They need to establish some type of running game so it takes pressure off the passing game.  Lamar Miller needs to step it up or he will find himself on the bench very soon.

The bye week comes in at a perfect time.  The Dolphins will have to work on the offensive line and the running game this bye week so they can get ready to beat the Bills in two weeks.

 

Monday Night Football Recap

Well I guess my prediction from last week was wrong when I picked the Dolphins to beat the New Orleans Saints 27-24.  Oh well everyone always has predictions that are wrong.

It was going to be a tough game for the Dolphins to win coming into an environment like New Orleans who has a rowdy stadium with passionate fans.  If the Dolphins had any chance of winning against the Saints, they had to NOT TURN THE BALL OVER!!!  That is exactly what the Dolphins did that game, turning the ball over 4 times.

Tannehill sacked late in the game.

 Down 14-10 in the 2nd quarter, Tannehill had the Dolphins driving into Saints territory looking to put points up on the board.  Tannehill scrambled out of the pocket and ran for 13 yards.  Saints linebacker Curtis Lofton came running in to tackle Tannehill and Lofton forced a fumble and the Saints recovered the ball.   http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/0ap2000000253834

The Saints then answered with a touchdown to go into half time leading 21-10.

The second half of the game did not get much better for the Miami Dolphins.  They started the second half with a three and out.

The Dolphins found themselves down 35-10 after the 3rd quarter thanks to costly interceptions and sacks.
The Dolphins however scored a touchdown on a pass from Ryan Tannehill to tight end Charles Clay that closed the gap to 35-17

Charles Clay makes a spectacular grab for a touchdown

It was not enough as the Dolphins ended up losing 38-17.  A well deserved loss for the Dolphins.

If the Dolphins were going to go into New Orleans and beat the Saints, they could not afford to turn the ball over.

Well guess what, that is exactly what the Dolphins did and they got blown out by Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints offense.  Here is Ryan Tannehill on the Dolphins loss.

Dolphins head coach Joe Philbin was not pleased after their loss against the Saints on how his team performed.

Here is a link to coach Philbin's press conference.http://www.miamidolphins.com/multimedia/videos/Coach-Philbin-Recap-Saints-Game/923ba54d-2869-4a8e-8e95-0c9fd9195e1c

Like I said from my blog last week, the Dolphins needed to put pressure on Saints quarterback Drew Brees in order for him to fail.  The Dolphins put little pressure on Brees and in the long run it hurt the Dolphins.

Here is Ryan Tannehill after a frustrating loss to the Saints.http://www.miamidolphins.com/multimedia/videos/Ryan-Tannehill-Press-Conference/544b22f2-1673-4f1c-bc6f-3c5decde7454

The Dolphins were shorthanded on defense by not having star defensive end Cameron Wake due to a sprained knee he suffered last week against the Falcons.

Running back Lamar Miller runs in for a touchdown in the first quarter

Looking ahead for next weeks game against the defending champions Baltimore Ravens, the dolphins will have to improve in two areas.  Turnovers and sacks allowed.

Turnovers, turnovers, TURNOVERS! is the main ingredient for a loss.  Throw sacks allowed in there and it makes for a disastrous lost.  If the Dolphins improve on that, then I see them beating the Ravens on Sunday.

My final prediction for Sundays game against the Ravens is a Dolphins victory 24-20.  Improving their record to 4-1.