Last week, I predicted the Miami Dolphins would end their losing streak and beat the New York Jets. I told friends and colleagues that if they were ever to make a bet, this week was, as the football wrestling analyst Pat McAfee once said, a “100 percenter.”
Of course, the 26 to 18 win in New York does affect their draft spot. Currently, they are slotted at number four a drop from last week’s number one. Yet, a win is a win, and victory is a great feeling on Monday. The team started off hot and unlike previous weeks, kept it going. They didn’t let up and didn’t allow the Sam Darnold-led offense to get going. We even saw a little Fitzmagic today. Three touchdown passes from Ryan Fitzpatrick, one to DeVante Parker and the other two to Preston “Unicorn” Williams.
The offense was clicking on all cylinders and, in front of Adam Gase, did something we haven’t seen in years. The Dolphins overcame penalties: holding, pass interference, offsides, you name it. There were dropped passes, but more importantly, the team showed life. Credit Brian Flores and the coaching staff. Week in and week out, this team has improved and yesterday they showed what it looks like when everything comes together. Even tight end Mike Gesicki got involved and had his best game as a pro.
This was the best game so far for the Dolphins, and it was fun to watch. However, Williams went down first with a hurt hand and was later carted off the field with a knee injury. Earlier in the week, we also saw the Dolphins trade for Aquib Talib and then put star cornerback Xavien Howard on injured reserve with a knee injury. Next week the Fins will face a depleted Indianapolis Colts team. Starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett went down with an apparent knee injury and didn’t return to the game. It was later reported as an MCL sprain. He will undergo more tests, according to head coach Frank Reich. The Dolphins would potentially face journeyman Brian Hoyer, which could result in another win.
Now to the LSU quarterback Joe Burrow vs. Crimson Tide signal-caller Tua Tagovailoa matchup. Although the Dolphins won and there is the potential for them to land outside of the top two picks, you still have to watch this pair. There is definitely potential for them to fall inside the top three and for someone in that top three to not need a quarterback. Burrow and Tua are the two best quarterbacks coming into the 2020 NFL Draft and they are, ironically, on the two best teams in the nation. LSU is ranked No.1, and the Crimson Tide is No.2. This could continue right up to the College Football Playoffs.
