No, it wasn't a double digit victory over the New England Patriots. It wasn't a 37 point shutout of the San Diego Chargers, either. In fact, it was probably the least impressive win this team has had all season long.
But it was the exact kind of win they needed.
Good teams win ugly in December.
The Miami Dolphins haven't been able to do this in years. The most recent example? Last season against these same New York Jets, when they had a chance to tie the must win season finale midway through the fourth quarter, despite playing awful for the first three quarters.
Ryan Tannehill and the offense failed on that December day, with the then second year QB throwing a critical late game interception with the Dolphins trailing by only a touchdown. On that day the Miami Dolphins played a terrible football game.
They couldn't pass, they couldn't run, they couldn't play defense. They stunk.
But midway through the fourth quarter, they had a chance. With the season on the line, they were at midfield needing only a touchdown to tie the game.
Good teams win ugly in December.
That 21-7 loss proved that those Miami Dolphins, with as much promise as they showed earlier that month, simply weren't good enough.
With as ugly, frustrating, and painful as last night was, I believe it too showed us something..
It showed us that these Dolphins are different. It showed us that they've matured. It showed us how far Ryan Tannehill has come, and how mentally tough and resilient this team is.
With as unimpressive as this 16-13 win was, one might argue that, on a different level, it was the most impressive win of the season for this team.
Think about it.. how many times has Miami won a game like this? A game where they played so poorly for three quarters, only to find a way to get it done when it counts?
They didn't do it in last year's Monday night game against Tampa Bay.
They didn't do it against the Bills or Jets either.
In fact, the roles are usually reversed, aren't they? It's usually the Dolphins who dominate for the entire game, only to lose in the final quarter. Remember last week? Remember that 22-0 fourth quarter run by the Broncos?
Remember Green Bay? Remember Detroit?
Painful, heartbreaking memories.
But not last night. Not again. The Miami Dolphins won a game they had no business winning. None at all. Zero. Ziltch. Nada. They trailed for 58 minutes.
But midway through the fourth quarter, they had a chance. With the season on the line, they were at midfield needing only a touchdown to tie the game.
Good teams win ugly in December.
That 21-7 loss proved that those Miami Dolphins, with as much promise as they showed earlier that month, simply weren't good enough.
With as ugly, frustrating, and painful as last night was, I believe it too showed us something..
It showed us that these Dolphins are different. It showed us that they've matured. It showed us how far Ryan Tannehill has come, and how mentally tough and resilient this team is.
With as unimpressive as this 16-13 win was, one might argue that, on a different level, it was the most impressive win of the season for this team.
Think about it.. how many times has Miami won a game like this? A game where they played so poorly for three quarters, only to find a way to get it done when it counts?
They didn't do it in last year's Monday night game against Tampa Bay.
They didn't do it against the Bills or Jets either.
In fact, the roles are usually reversed, aren't they? It's usually the Dolphins who dominate for the entire game, only to lose in the final quarter. Remember last week? Remember that 22-0 fourth quarter run by the Broncos?
Remember Green Bay? Remember Detroit?
Painful, heartbreaking memories.
But not last night. Not again. The Miami Dolphins won a game they had no business winning. None at all. Zero. Ziltch. Nada. They trailed for 58 minutes.
Fifty-eight minutes.. to the New York Jets! The 2-10 New York Jets!
They were outplayed for 75% of the game. They let up over 100 rushing yards in the first quarter, and over 200 rushing yards in the first half for pete's sake.
But when it mattered most Ryan Tannehill made the throws, Dion Sims made the catches, Caleb Sturgis spilt the uprights, and Reshad Jones sealed the game.
On an otherwise forgettable night, with the season hanging in the balance, the Miami Dolphins conquered an ever so important demon.
Good teams win ugly in December.
They were outplayed for 75% of the game. They let up over 100 rushing yards in the first quarter, and over 200 rushing yards in the first half for pete's sake.
But when it mattered most Ryan Tannehill made the throws, Dion Sims made the catches, Caleb Sturgis spilt the uprights, and Reshad Jones sealed the game.
On an otherwise forgettable night, with the season hanging in the balance, the Miami Dolphins conquered an ever so important demon.
Good teams win ugly in December.
For the first time in a long time, it appears that label fits the sixth seeded Dolphins.
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