Defense, Tannehill lead Fins to 23-10 win

It wasn't perfect by any means, but the Miami Dolphins got the job done behind two things:

A GREAT defensive performance (5 sacks, 3 INT's, 1-14 on 3rd down).

And a strong second half from Ryan Tannehill (24-38, 272 yards, a TD and an INT),

The second year QB hit Brian Hartline in stride for a 34 YD TD midway through the 3rd quarter, and then orchestrated a beautiful game clinching TD drive in the 4th quarter. Tannehill was 7-8 on the drive.

Brian Hartline led the offense with 9 catches for 114 yards and a TD. 

Defensively, it was a clinic.  Cam Wake led the way with 2.5 sacks, 2 tackles for losses, and 6 QB hits. Dimitri Patterson had 2 INT's before leaving the game with a groin injury. 

Just an all around dominate defensive performance.

I'll have PLENTY more to come, so check back later. But this was a solid showing today from the Miami Dolphins en route to a big opening season win.

More to come. 

Fins lead Browns 13-10 after third quarter

Beautiful 34 YD TD strike from Tannehill to Hartline. 

Billy Cundiff FG.

13-10.

Cam Wake has been everywhere. Mike Wallace has one catch.

That's about it.

To the fourth.

Browns lead Fins 7-6 at halftime

Oh boy.

The defense has been dominant. They've pressured Brandon Weeden, they've picked him off 3 times, they've feasted on everything Cleveland's thrown at them.

Yet they trail 7-6.

How? The offense has struggled. The run game has been nonexistent. Ryan Tannehill has been sacked three times, and threw an INT on a tipped pass intended for Brandon Gibson. Mike Wallace has been targeted ZERO times. 

Halftime adjustments will be CRITICAL here. Offensively, the Fins MUST get it together. Big time.

To the third.

Dolphins lead Browns 3-0 after 1st Q

Good looking first quarter for the Fins.

Following a Nolan Carroll INT and a couple punts, Tannehill and the Fins put together a 15 play drive ending in a Caleb Sturgis FG.

Tannehill has looked good, as has the protection for him. The run protection, however, has been suspect. 

Defensively, the Fins have pressured Brandon Weeden nicely thus far with a couple unique blitz packages.

UPDATE: Dimitri Patterson has made an incredible INT inside the Cleveland 30 at the end of the first quarter. Joe Philbin challenged the play, which was initially ruled an incompletion, and the play was OVERTURNED.

To the second.

2013 campaign set to begin; the inactives

They are an HOUR away from kick of in Cleveland, as the Fins and Browns are ready to go to work.

The inactives for Miami include: 

• 
  
• QB Pat Devlin

• CB Will Davis

• CB Jamar Taylor

• RB Mike Gillislee

• LB Josh Kaddu

• OL Danny Watkins

• OL Dallas Thomas

And, the inactives for Cleveland include:

• 
  
• DE Barkevious Mingo

• QB Brain Hoyer

• OL Martin Wallace

• DL Ahtyba Rubin

• LB Paul Hazel

• TE MarQueis Gray

• OL Shawn Lauvao

The Fins are in all white. Cleveland is sporting the Brown tops and white pants.

The live blog will be up and running today, so come back at the end of each quarter for a full update.

The wait is OVER.

GO FINS.

Gameday: Five keys to a Dolphins victory PLUS prediction

(Photo courtesy of Dolphins.com)

They are a mere FOUR hours away from kickoff in Cleveland, as the Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns are just about set to do battle on the NFL's opening Sunday.  This is a big time game for the Fins, for two reasons.

Number one, they need to gain the respect of the national media.  I don't know why this has been bugging me, but it has.  90% of national media outlets have the BROWNS winning this football game, and I just can't see why.

Number two, it's no secret that the Fins have a BRUTAL schedule for the next month following this game.  Winning today would take a whole lot of pressure off this football team.

So, how do they win today, you ask?

Great question!  Here's the answer(s):


1.  Win the turnover battle.  I feel like a broken record here, but this is, and will be, the MOST important key ALL SEASON LONG.  Joe Philbin has preached it since day one, and for good reason. Teams who don't turn the ball over on offense, and cause turnovers on defense, win the majority of games they play.  Ryan Tannehill did a great job of this in the preseason, and must continue today.  Defensively, take advantage of young (old?) Brandon Weeden and cause a couple TO's.  If the Fins are plus in this category by the end of today, then they'll be 1-0.  Count on it.

2.  Pressure Brandon Weeden.  I like Weeden, I really do, but the kid doesn't handle pressure well.  Get some guys on him, like, for instance, a Cameron Wake or Dion Jordan, and things can go south real quick.  Take away a clean pocket for Weeden, and you're in business.  Besides, who's he going to throw to?

3.  Start strong, end strong.  Another thing Joe Philbin has preached all preseason is starting fast.  The offense did this somewhat against Tampa Bay, but besides that they were sloppy out of the gate.  Imagine the momentum this team would have if Ryan Tannehill and company get the ball, drive down the field, and put up a quick six points. Same thing can be said for the end of the game.  If this one comes down to a final possession for the Fins, whether they need a TD or just a first down to end the game, FINISH STRONG.

4.  Establish a ground game.  What's the best way to ease a QB into a new season? Give him a sound running game to lean on.  Lamar Miller and Daniel Thomas will both see their fair share of snaps today, and both need to step up and provide another option for Ryan Tannehill to go to, because if this offense becomes one dimensional, it could be a long, long day for the sophomore QB.

5.  Eliminate Trent Richardson.  Listen, no disrespect to the Browns, but I've analyzed this team up and down, and I just can't find another playmaker on offense OTHER than Trent Richardson.  Davone Bess doesn't scare me, neither does Brandon Weeden.  The only person who does concern me is the sophomore RB.  So, it would seem to me that if the Fins eliminate Richardson as a threat, then they should have a field day with the rest of the Cleveland offense.  Take away Richardson, focus on Weeden, and win the game. Plain and simple.


PREDICTION

The more I look at this game, the more I like the Miami Dolphins.  They have the better QB, the better WR core, and the better defense.  Yes, winning on the road is tough, especially on opening day, but I just don't see that as enough of a reason to go against the Fins in this game.  Put some points on the board, don't turn the ball over, and let your defense take over.  That's the formula the Fins should LIVE by this season, and that's the formula that should get them the "W" today.

Final: Dolphins 27 Browns 16


Check back right before kickoff for any last minute news, including the full list of inactives for both teams.  And, as always, follow the live, quarter by quarter, blog of today's game.

Kickoff is set for 1:05.

We've made it, folks.  Football is back.

GO FINS!

Week 1 in the NFL: Picks and predictions (plus SB XLVIII winner)

That time of year again, folks.

It's our first picks and predictions segment of the season, and I have a big year to follow up, if I do say so myself.  So, without further ado, here are my week one picks and predictions for every NFL game.

Enjoy.


2012 record: 147-93-1


New England @ Buffalo:  Are we 100% the NFL isn't fixed?  How in the world does TOM BRADY get to open up against TWO rookie QB's?  I just don't get it.  Bottom line here: Brady>Manuel.  Patriots win big.

Tennessee @ Pittsburgh:  A lot of people are down on Pittsburgh this season.  I'm not one of them.  Ben Roethlisberger and Mike Tomlin are too good to sleep on.  Give me the Steelers at home.

Tampa Bay @ N.Y. Jets:  That New York defense will keep them in the game, especially against Josh Freeman, but beyond that this could be an ugly game for gang green.  I'll take the Buccaneers.

Atlanta @ New Orleans:  I like Atlanta this season, a lot.  Matt Ryan proved himself in the post season last year, and he now has an established RB in Steven Jackson, so watch out NFL.  The Saints will be a good football team this season, but I think that Atlanta offense is to much to handle.

Kansas City @ Jacksonville:  Andy Reid, Alex Smith, Jamaal Charles.  Not a bad group, huh?  Give me the Chiefs.

Seattle @ Carolina:  UPSET ALERT.  West coast teams always struggle on the East coast, and nobody can tell me otherwise.  I like the Panthers this season, and I like them in this game.

Cincinnati @ Chicago:  UPSET ALERT #2.  The Bengals are the sexy pick, but don't sleep on a healthy Jake Cutler.  I'm taking Da' Bears here, as they start to make some noise in the NFC North.

Minnesota @ Detroit:  Didn't like Christian Ponder last year, don't like Christian Ponder this year.  I do like Reggie Bush on turf, though.  Give me the Lions.

Oakland @ Indianapolis:  Easy opener for Andrew Luck.  Colts win big.

Arizona @ St. Louis:  Everybody seems to forget about the Cardinals, but do not take them lightly.  They could surprise a lot of people this season.  However, I like the Rams in this football game.

Green Bay @ San Francisco:  Here's the thing, NOBODY is talking about the Packers, even though they have one, if not the best, QB's in all of football.  Colin Kaepernick may be "in" right now, but Aaron Rodgers is someone you SHOULD NOT ignore.  I'm going with the Packers on the road.

N.Y. Giants @ Dallas:  Everybody knows I have a soft spot for the Dallas Cowboys, but I do think this is the year that they do big things in the NFC.  I like them in this football game, big time.

Philadelphia @ Washington:  Game of the week, no doubt about it.  These two QB's won't disappoint, either.  I like Michael Vick to have a bounce back year, but I think that Redskins offense is just too talented.  Give me RGIII and the Skins.

Houston @ San Diego:  New coach, new attitude.  I like this Chargers team, especially against an overrated (in my opinion) Houston team.  Give me San Diego in a good one.


Super Bowl XLVIII:  Alright, here it is.  I got one of the teams right a year ago (Baltimore), so I'm on a roll.  The pick is in:

Atlanta OVER Denver

Alright folks, we are now less than 24 hours away from kickoff.  Tune in tomorrow morning for all your Dolphins pre-game coverage, including, as always, my prediction. 

And don't forget to follow the quarter by quarter blog beginning at kickoff tomorrow afternoon.

Until tomorrow morning..

GO FINS!