2-0. Let’s start there. Before the season started, the majority of “experts” out there said we’d win anywhere from 3-5 games. Although it’s still early, I think we’ve already proved them wrong. Bottom line; we’re playing good football and playing well as a team. Gase got the guys he wanted and it’s paying dividends early.
I’ve now watched every play of both games (several times each) from two different angles and can tell you that this is a good football team, at least we’re playing that way now anyway. I’m not yet convinced we’re great (let’s see how we do against the Patriots, Bengals, and Bears), but we’re good, and that’s a helluva lot better than last year.
We started the season with concerns all over the place. After dissecting both games, I currently only have three concerns:
- Our outside linebackers – decent against the run, terrible against the pass
- Our interior OL – the injury to Sitton hurts, but these guys are REALLY struggling against stunts
- Depth – we have very little. If just about any other starters go down (except maybe RB, WR, DL) we’re screwed
My list of concerns from last year’s team was much longer. We’ve made great progress and I truly believe this young team has a bright future… but I digress. Back to the present:
The 20-12 win over the Jets, on the road no less, was solid but not great. As anyone who watched could tell you, it was a tale of 2 halves. The final 7-minute drive to kill the clock (when it the last time we did that?) was a thing of beauty.
MY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE JETS GAME
(as usual, keep your sound on)
RYAN TANNEHILL
Tannehill (9-1 in his last 10 starts, which is better than any other QB) gets his own section this week as he’s been the hot topic, widely debated amongst fans this week. He was his typical self-making some great plays and some head-scratching plays. Here is an example of both (mind you I kept the obvious highlights and low-lights out as everyone has already seen those multiple times).
Let’s start with my favorite “unsung” play of the game from Ryan:
Now onto my least favorite “barely talked” about play of the game on our first 3rd and long:
Tannehill “is what he is,” a decent/solid QB much of the time, a good QB some of the time, and a bad QB on occasion. The good news is, we can win with that!
THE POSITIVES
Devon Godchaux (unsung hero of the first two games) was an absolute BEAST. So much so that I made a highlight reel of his top 7 plays of the game, enjoy:
And speaking of our defensive line, overall they’re playing quite well and can be devastating in passing situations:
Watch again as out DL FEAST on Darnold:
Our corners (Howard, McCain, Fitzpatrick) locked down the Jets and brought Sam Darnold and the New York media back down to earth:
And speaking of FitzMagic, I’d like to propose he also trademark Minkah the Screen Killa!:
I don’t have any clips of Laremy Tunsil, but our favorite draft-day mask wearing OT has greatly improved his game this year and been our most consistent offensive lineman by far.
This will come as no surprise to my readers, but Kiko Alonso is BALLIN this year and this might’ve been the best game he’s played in a Phins uniform. Along with the forced fumbles, solo tackles, etc., here’s a little play you might not have noticed:
THE NEGATIVES
Overall our WRs struggled to get open much of the game and Kenny Stills was locked down. Give credit to Jets head coach, Todd Bowles, who is a former DB coach/Defensive coordinator for that.
Our OLBs (McMillan and Baker) continue to really struggle in pass coverage (both in man and zone). Why either one is on the field in ANY passing situation is beyond me. Check out this 3rd and 9 for example:
Our interior offensive line really struggled. We can’t seem to pick up stunts and Tannehill often pays the price.
TJ McDonald (and even Reshad Jones to a degree) continues to miss big tackles and that’s something the coaches MUST address:
RANDOM PLAY OF THE GAME
This award for the Jets game goes to a BIG missed opportunity for Tannehill to connect with Grant. Just watch:
Every team in every game will have positive and negative plays, the key is to look for a theme. I mention my biggest concerns at the top of this article, but my biggest pleasant surprises are:
- Our ability to run the ball
- The lack of penalties we incur
- The play of our DTs
If this young team can keep improving, we’ll make a strong run at the playoffs.
THIS WEEK VS THE RAIDERS
Let me start off by saying I hate the Raiders. I attended a game years ago in Oakland where I wore my Marino jersey and it was the worst experience of my life. I freaking hate that place.
Anyway, many are calling this a potential “trap game” and I disagree. In order to be a trap game, you need a few key ingredients:
- A “big” opponent on the horizon – we check this box as Brady and the Patriots are on the horizon
- A somewhat overhyped sense of oneself – I don’t see or feel this. This Miami team is humble and hungry despite its 2-0 start
- A lot of media attention and accolades – we don’t have this either. The media still doesn’t think we’re any good
I do, however, think the Raiders are better than their record and we need to play well to win, but I don’t anticipate a “let-down” on our side of the ball due to any sense of falling into a “trap.” Oakland is coming off a heartbreaking loss and traveling across the country to wear black and play us in the heat and humidity. Advantage Miami! I predict a high scoring Phins win, 34-27.
Fins Up!
Follow me on Twitter @AnthonySabaNFL
