Trap Game? Dolfans Have It All Wrong

I get it.

I understand better than anyone.

You've been burned too many times, Dolfans. Burned so frequently, so badly, so harshly, that the scars run from head to toe. They cover us. Engulf us. For years, they've defined us.

As a whole, we're a beaten and battered fan base. We're a product of a mediocre, inconsistent, mind numbingly frustrating organization. One that better resembles a teaser trailer than an actual movie.

So I understand the anxiety you've been feeling all week over this game. That pit in your stomach that just won't go away?

Yeah, I have it too.

But this is not a trap game. Yes, this is a game the Miami Dolphins should win. Yes, they're coming off a dominant road win. Yes, the entire world is picking them to win this game.

But no, this is not a trap game.

This is a measuring stick game; and an enormous one at that.

This is a game where the Dolphins show they belong in the playoff race. This is a game where Miami shows the world that they're just getting started. This is the game where Ryan Tannehill continues his elite level of play, instead of stumble backwards like he's done so many times before.

On Sunday, Miami shouldn't just beat the one win Jacksonville Jaguars. They should absolutely, undeniably, irrefutably, destroy them.

To steal a quote from Remember the Titans, at the end of this one, the Miami Dolphins should leave no doubt.

This is not a trap game. Trap games are for the NFL's elite- The Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboy's of the world. Miami is 3-3 right now, they're not even on the same playing field as those teams.

This is a statement game.

A statement game for Ryan Tannehill. A statement game for Joe Philbin and Bill Lazor. A statement game for that fourth ranked defense.

By Sunday night, you should know whether the Miami Dolphins are contenders or not. Not next week against San Diego, and not the week after in Detroit, but on Sunday night.

Because contenders pummel teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars. Contenders dominate inferior opponents from the word go. Contenders don't play down to their opponents level, something Joe Philbin's Dolphins have done with great ease over the past two seasons.

Remember Cincinnati last season? That emotional, season saving, back and forth overtime win last Halloween? That victory got the Dolphins back to .500, much like last weeks win did.

Remember the following week? Remember the Monday night debacle against the lowly Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where the Dolphins managed just TWO rushing yards?

That was a statement game too, and the message Miami sent was loud and clear: Pretender. Fraud. Not ready.

This game on Sunday has that same feel to it. The world has taken notice, Ryan Tannehill is playing well, and the Dolphins appear ready to take that elusive next step that has been so close, yet so far, for so many seasons now.

Right now, the Miami Dolphins have two options:

Either step up and finally take it.

Or, once again, trip and stumble, leaving an already bandaged fan base with yet another ugly scar.