Dion Sims will be missed

     I fear that the loss of Dion Sims this week will cripple the run game more than losing Rashad Jones will hurt the secondary.  Don't get me wrong.  Jones is one of the three best safeties in the NFL.  But frankly, the drop-off at safety is less than the drop-off at blocking Tight-End, which in this game at least will be severe.  Buffalo is one of the toughest most physical Defensive Lines the Dolphins will face this season.  No offense to the Steelers, but this is apples and oranges.  The Bills are the Real Deal Defense.  They will put pressure on the Offensive Line and Ryan Tannehill.  Having that sixth offensive lineman in Dion would have really helped this week as it did last week.  I hope MarQueis Gray (upper right) and Dominique Jones (lower right) can fill the blocking void left by Dion Sims. I believe both of these unproven journeyman Tight Ends hold the key to the running game tomorrow against the Bills.  We know they can catch the ball.  If they can provide much needed blocking for Jay Ajayi, THEN, we have a chance tomorrow.

    Now, the defense does need to provide a similar performance as in the Pittsburgh game.  And, if the running game and play-action passing succeeds, the defense should be able to play fewer plays than the offense.  Time of possession is a huge advantage when playing power teams, like Buffalo.

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Stunning victory for Dolphins.

The game was amazing, I was stunned, the Steelers were shocked. Talk about a trap game for a perennial contender with a pretty dam good QB.
The defense played well, pressure was there so the corners weren't exposed and they played well, both Lippett and Maxwell had a good day in fact Maxwell had great day covering an elite WR in Antonio Brown and the safeties got us two picks. kudos to the D, but especially the secondary, they more than competed they won their matchups.
But the really good story about this game was the 0 line and the running game, the only time we've won time of possession and helped our defense. Jay Ajayi was a beast the way he hit people and ran over people and carried people was truly amazing he he got 204 yards (anybody miss Daniel Thomas) he's very dangerous and not afraid to hit a hole or a LB.
So back to the 0 line,  they made a real difference, this is what our 0 line was supposed to look like from the start of the season. I sure hope they can stay healthy the rest of the season. I'm a Fin fan and I love my team win or loose and I hope this thing really turns around, it's been too long that we've been disappointed and hurting when we see a game. Go Fins!!!

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What A Difference With The OL Back

I thought perhaps the Dolphins and Steelers traded uniforms.

We played smash mouth football by pounding the run game down their throats, hitting open receivers, moving the chains, eating up the time of possession and finally playing tough as nails defense.

Going into the 4th quarter, all Pittsburgh could muster was one play. A reverse for a 60 yard TD. That was basically it.

Miami, on the other hand rushed for 222 yards. Tanne-Hype threw for 252 yards with no INTs.

Other than a few badly timed penalties, a few dropped passes and 2 missed FGs (one blocked and one wide left from 50 yards), we just dominated the Steelers.

Defensively, 2 INTs, 2 Sacks with giving up 317 yards to a very high powered offense.

With 4 minutes left in the game, the Steelers were starting only their 4th series of the second half.

That's amazing!

The entire OL should get game balls. They absolutely controlled the game.

The trick is doing it again and again.

For now, I'll take today's win and sleep well tonight.

Phins Up!!!

Carl Leone
Dolfan since 12/25/1971

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