The one thing the Miami Dolphins have going for them right now is parity. The NFL is nearly a month into its marathon of a season, and so far, the usual powerhouses are experiencing a power outage.
Green Bay Packers: 1-2
New England Patriots: 1-2
Pittsburgh Steelers: 1-2
New Orleans Saints: 0-3
Denver Broncos (yes, a Peyton Manning led team should be considered a powerhouse, no matter his age): 1-2
And then you have the young, inexperienced, highly inconsistent, Miami Dolphins, also at 1-2. They looked lost in Houston. They looked unstoppable against Oakland. And then, they looked like a little bit of everything against the New York Jets.
And unfortunately, that loss, the heartbreaker to the Jets, has this team on thin ice.
Thin, thin ice.
The Miami Dolphins must now play with a sense of urgency, because this youthful bunch, who at one point on Sunday featured three rookies on the offensive side of the ball, face a series of tests in the next two weeks that could send them home at 1-4.
At the Arizona Cardinals and Cincinnati Bengals, two teams, unfortunately, whose power is anything but out. In-fact, after three weeks, they're all but running the NFL power grid! Lets start with Sunday's game against Arizona. Not only are they 3-0 this season, with wins over Seattle, New England, and Philadelphia, but they are 10-2 dating back to week eight of last season, not to mention that seven of those wins have come at home.
Ok, you say, well at least we have Reggie Bush, he always gives us a chance. True, very true, but the star running back's status is up in the air for Sunday's game, and even if he does play, is he actually going to be 100%?
Like I said, thin, thin ice.
Let's jump to next week's game, a meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals at good ol' Paul Brown Stadium. After a week one loss to the Baltimore Ravens, Andy Dalton and company have won back to back games, defeating the lowly Browns and then the up and coming Redskins. This week, they play the Jacksonville Jaguars, and while I won't say it's a guarantee, there's a good chance these Bengals could be 3-1 when they welcome in the Miami Dolphins next Sunday.
Feel it breaking yet?
However, like I said, the Fins do have one thing on their side. Parity. By my account, winning just one, JUST ONE, of these games keeps this Miami team in it. Coming out of week five 2-3, rather then 1-4, means everything for this team. Not only does it put them right into the AFC playoff hunt coming home to face the St. Louis Rams, but it also gives them a signature, confidence inspiring win on the road.
This means everything for rookies such as Ryan Tannehill and Joe Philbin. It gives Tannehill the confidence that this team, his team, can compete and beat anybody. And it gives Philbin, the first year head coach, the confidence that his plan, his way of doing things, is working.
Coming out of these games 1-1, folks, means everything.
Because parity can only carry a team so far.
And if the ice breaks on these Miami Dolphins, I'm not sure parity can do anything but wave goodbye as they sink.
A tough two weeks indeed.
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