Welcome to the final game day of 2014. Hard to believe, isn't it? 17 weeks, 156 days, and in roughly eight hours it's all over. Just like that.
Today is a big day for the Miami Dolphins. No, they aren't in the playoff race. But a win against the Jets would give them their first winning season since 2008, and for a team dying for some progress that would at least give them some.
But it won't be easy. No, not by a long shot. Remember earlier this month? Remember that nail biting last second win on Monday night in which the defense gave up nearly 300 rushing yards? This won't be a cake walk today, but, as I mentioned yesterday, it should be a victory. Miami is the better team all around, and they should simply overpower the New York Jets.
How do they accomplish that feat though? Well, for one final time, I'm so glad you asked!
1. Set, contain, and tackle: This is, without a doubt, the most important key for the Dolphins today. Set the edge, don't let those quick backs get around you, and when you get them, TACKLE! Wrapping up on the defensive side of the ball will be huge today.
2. Keep feeding him: Him being Lamar Miller, and said feeding being the ball. Lamar needs only a little over 70 yards to reach 1,000 for the season, and, despite a good Jets run defense, I don't see why he can't get that today. In fact, the only person I can see getting in his way is OC Bill Lazor, who has a tendency to go away from the run game in the second half. Keep feeding him today.
3. Stay on, get off the field: Third down's will be huge today, and I'm not sure which Dolphins team we're going to get. Last week the offense had one of their better performances of the season, as they converted 9/13 third downs. However, the defense, as they have for most of the season, struggled getting off the field once again. Rex Ryan loves a good ol' TOP battle, and it's one of the few ways he can beat you today. Don't let it happen, on either side of the ball.
4. Red zone success: The offense did an excellent job of turning red zone trips into touchdown's a week ago, and they'll have to continue this today. Defensively, don't let Geno Smith beat you inside the twenties, that's just not good for anybody.
5. Don't get caught napping: This is Rex Ryan's final game (most likely) as head coach for the New York Jets. You don't think he's going to throw everything at this Dolphins team? Keep your guard up on special teams, watch for the wild cat plays, be prepared for reverses, and trick plays, and, well, everything in the book. Rex may be going down, but I can assure you he' not going down without a loud, obnoxious BANG.
PREDICTION
I told you back in August that this team would finish 9-7 this season, and I'm a man of my word. There's no reason they shouldn't win today, and I expect nothing less than one. But proceed with caution, Dolfans, we all remember what happened not one year ago today...
Final: Dolphins 27 Jets 16
Final inactives list of the year coming up later. That will be followed by the live blog throughout the game.
See you there.
Four hours.
No comments:
Post a Comment