Can we just take a minute, before I really dig in here, and just realize how far these Miami Dolphins have come?
A year ago, during this exact week, the Dolphins were 0-5, coming off a dismantling in the Meadowlands (MetLife? whatever), 24-6, and just four days away from the infamous Tebow game down in Miami.
A year later they are 3-3, coming off back to back wins.
A year ago, the Fins found themselves five games out of first place in the AFC East, and holding down the division cellar.
This week, they find themselves tied for first.
Last year we were talking Luck.
This year we're talking Tannehill.
Last year it was, "when's Sparano getting fired?"
This year it's "when's Philbin getting coach of the year?"
Last year we were praying the bye week would never end.
This year, at least for me, it can't end soon enough.
Last year, we were certain the season would end in week 17.
This year? Well, this year we're not sure.
And that, right there, is the single, most exciting aspect of the 2012 Miami Dolphins. For the first time in a long time, the Dolphins find themselves smack dab in the AFC playoff hunt, and that means that, for the first time in a long time, the Fins will face a critical matchup every single week, with the next one more important than the previous one.
Oh yes, the next six weeks, for three hours every Sunday (or Thursday), will be brutal. Every play becomes that much more important, every turnover carries more significance, every missed field goal that much bigger, and every win, or loss, more fulfilling, or shattering.
The next six weeks will make the last six weeks look like a walk in the park. Gone are the days of catching teams off guard, because with the sudden spark and buzz surrounding these resurgent Dolphins, that target grows bigger and bigger on their back.
Gone are the days of winning one week, losing the next, repeat, repeat, repeat, because .500 football down the stretch, while it could get them into the show, probably won't cut it. Yes, an 8-8 record, considering what people said at the beginning of the year, would be huge in Miami, but if you want to start talking playoffs, and yes, everybody at this point does, then an 8-8 record simply isn't good enough.
It was good enough for the first six weeks, and it may be good enough for the final five weeks considering their schedule, but for the next six? No way, not if you want a ticket to the show. Not even close.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again here, the Dolphins must go 4-2, starting with last week's win and running through the end of November, if they want a shot in December.
Just a shot. And if they want to get that shot, then area's must be improved.
Ryan Tannehill must continue to grow and limit the turnovers like he's done in the last two games. Brian Hartline can't put on anymore disappearing acts like he did last week. Reggie Bush must run the ball like he was in the first three weeks of the season. Daniel Thomas has to stay healthy, and learn how to hold on to the ball. The secondary cannot continually get burnt in the passing game, week after week. The run defense must rebound from their pounding last Sunday. Jake Long and that offensive line can't let Ryan Tannehill continue taking hits like he did against St. Louis, or, as Reggie Bush said, he won't last the entire season.
And, most importantly, this team must continue to string together wins. They've got two in a row so far, and while that's a start, it can't be the end. Go out and beat the Jets next week in a huge division test. Beat the Titans when you get back home. Go on the road and win your only primetime game of the year in Buffalo. Wins like these are huge in November. Wins like these, when strung together, get you into the show.
Well, they at least get you into December. But let's worry about that when it gets here, because that, folks, is a long, long way off.
Critical days, in-fact, do lie ahead for these Miami Dolphins.
Critical days indeed.
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