In Season Finale, Dolphins Get Rex'd Once Again (With Mike Wallace Update)

The Jets recovered a fumble with a little under three minutes left to ice the game..

And I've got to be honest with you, I'm glad they did, because Ryan Tannehill didn't have many more hits left in him.

Seven times Tannehill was sacked today. Seven. That's a Jets franchise record. I believe at one point he was taken down three times in four plays. It was hard to watch, and Dolphin fans should count their blessings it ended when it did, because the kid was holding on for dear life.

What a disaster for the Miami Dolphins today, mainly on the defensive side of the ball.

Geno Smith had a hall of fame performance from the get-go, completing 20-25 passes for 358 yards, and 3 TD's. His passer rating was a perfect 158.3. He was barely touched. His WR's, mainly Eric Decker, were wide open all day long.

The defense is a mess right now. A big, expensive, mess, that I expect will be completely overhauled over the next five months, starting with DC Kevin Coyle.

Look, I like Coyle. His group did a nice job over the first half of the season. But it simply cannot be overlooked just how bad the implosion has been since early November.

Once the backbone of this team, the unit has been their achilles heel over the stretch run this season. It's been so bad that they've given up over 28 points five out of the final six games. It's been so bad that they may very well have saved Geno Smith's job. GENO SMITH.

I don't see Randy Starks returning. I don't see Cortland Finnegan returning. I don't see Philip Wheeler, or possibly even Dannell Ellerbe returning. I also, as I mentioned above, don't see Kevin Coyle returning.

Cornerback, linebacker, interior lineman.. all of these will be priority number one starting, well, now. Expect a completely new unit beginning in 2015.

Now to the offense..

Ryan Tannehill was great in the first half, when he had time to throw. He finished the day surpassing Dan Marino in regards to completions in a season, and also threw for over 4,000 this season. He was fine today, and finished the season with career numbers in every single area.

Lamar Miller also had a career day today, rushing for nearly 180 yards and surpassing 1,000 on the season. He also had a 97 yard TD run in the third quarter, which broke a franchise record.

Brian Hartline had his best day of the year, catching five passes for 97 yards. I don't suspect he'll return next season because he just doesn't fit the new offense. However, you never know.

Somebody who did absolutely nothing today was WR Mike Wallace, who was apparently benched for most of the game. During the first quarter, Ryan Tannehill was seen shouting at the wideouts coach, who then walked over to Wallace and said something to him. Wallace then walked to the bench and remained there for the entire game.

I suspect this could be the last we see of Wallace, who the team may cut given his contract despite his 10 TD's this season. Don't be surprised to see some more dominos fall here shortly as this is a fluid situation.

The offensive line, like Wallace, was a joke today. As I said, Tannehill was sacked seven times and took three times as many hits. Besides Pouncey, Albert, and Ja'Wuan James, expect some serious retooling in this area as well this offseason.

Another domino I expect will fall is the firing of special teams coach Darren Rizzi, who's unit has been awful this season. It may have been at it's worst today, when they brought an all out block on fourth and five from midfield. Rex Ryan, who is notorious for fake punts, called it once again, and the Jets found a wide open Zach Sudfeld over the middle of the field to basically ice the game.

You can say that's on the players, but why call that play in that situation? It doesn't make sense, and, unfortunately for Rizzi, I expect it could have been his final call for the Miami Dolphins.

Another 8-8 season, another collapse to the Jets in the final game, and another long offseason ahead for the embattled team that resides out of South Florida.

Unfortunately, it's groundhogs day all over again.

To the offseason we go.


[UPDATE: Brandon Gibson just stood next to Mike Wallace during post game interviews and answered questions on his behalf. Seriously. Wallace did not say a single word.]

Jets, Dolphins tied at 24 after three quarters

An opening 90 yard kick return by the Jets was followed by a Miami stop on fourth and one.

The next play Lamar Miller took the handoff 97 yards untouched for a Miami touchdown.

The Jets would respond with a 74 yard touchdown to Eric Decker, who's nearing 200 yards receiving today.

Following a Miami failed fourth down try, Nick Folk tied the game with a chip shot FG.

The Jets are currently driving inside the Miami 20.

To the final quarter of the 2014 season. 

Tannehill, Dolphins lead Jets 17-14 at halftime

Don't tell Ryan Tannehill this is a meaningless, because, like most of the year, the kid's come to play today.

Tannehill finished the first half 15-20, 161 yards, and a last second 23 yard strike to Charles Clay to put the Dolphins up 17-14 at halftime.

The other offensive star has been Lamar Miller, who rushed for 51 yards on 11 carries in the first half. WR Brian Hartline, who could be playing his final game in Miami, finished the half with three catches for 47 yards.

Offensively, it hasn't been bad. Defensively though? Yeah, it's been ugly.

Geno Smith, yes, GENO SMITH, finished the first half 9-10, 122 yards, and a touchdown pass to a wide open Chris Ivory. Along with Smith, the Jets running attack has been successful as well, running for 74 yards on 16 carries.

The Dolphins defense did force a Geno Smith fumble, which led to a Daniel Thomas touchdown. But they're still struggling with getting off the field, as the Jets have converted 3-5 third down opportunities.

New York will receive to begin the final second half of the season.. can Miami reach nine wins for the first time in six years?

To the third.

Jets lead Dolphins 7-3 after first quarter

Another frustrating first quarter from the Miami Dolphins.

The opening drive nearly resulted in a safety. Following a missed Folk FG, the next Miami drive stalled inside the Jets 25 after a failed third and one.

After the Sturgis FG, the Jets drove down the field quickly and scored a TD on an end around, which was eerily similar to the one last month they also scored on.

The next Miami drive stalled yet again on ANOTHER failed third and one.

See a pattern?

To the second.

Jets, Dolphins nearing final kickoff; full inactive list

A hot, humid finale today for the Miami Dolphins, as they're just under an hour away from kicking off week 17 from Miami Gardens.

The inactives for Miami:

18 - Matthews

33 - James

35 - Aikens

62 - Coleman

63 - Thomas

65 - Brenner

83 - Hazel

The inactives for New York:

QB Simms, WR Harvin, WR Powell, S Jarrett, G Johnson, C Mangold and DT Barnes.

The Dolphins are in all white, while the Jets are in green tops with white pants.

Live blog begins after the first quarter.

See you there.

Gameday: Five Keys to a Dolphins Win PLUS Prediction

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.

Week 17 in the NFL: Picks and predictions

This is it. The grand finale. Time to put up, or shut up. Time to separate the men from the boys, the contenders from the pretenders. All or nothing. The final countdown.

Alright, you get the picture. To the picks!



Last week's record: 9-5

Overall record: 153-72


Browns @ Ravens: Connor Shaw is a starting QB in this game.

Pick: Ravens 24 Browns 7

Cowboys @ Redskins: Dallas’ entire second team is better than Washington’s first. That’s not opinion, that’s fact.

Pick: Cowboys 30 Redskins 16

Colts @ Titans: “Back to the good ol’ AFC South. Thank goodness. They were starting to figure out how bad we are.” - Andrew Luck.

Pick: Colts 27 Titans 14

Jaguars @ Texans: Gun to my head I couldn’t tell you the Texans starting QB this week. But with that defense I don’t think it matters.

Pick: Texans 17 Jaguars 10

Chargers @ Chiefs: Chase Daniel. How’s that for a throwback? Yikes.

Pick: Chargers 24 Chiefs 13

Bears @ Vikings: Nobody put’s Jay in the corner. Nobody.

Pick: Vikings 24 Bears 20

Bills @ Patriots: We’re so close to another devastating January loss for Tom and the Patriots I can practically taste it. I just get so warm and fuzzy inside when thinking about it!

Pick: Patriots 27 Bills 17

Eagles @ Giants: What an epic collapse by the Eagles. Quick, which would you rather: being a Philadelphia sports fan, or getting a root canal?

The latter? Me too.

Pick: Eagles 27 Giants 24

Saints @ Buccaneers: The decline of Drew Brees hasn’t gotten enough publicity this year. Seriously, what’s going on there?

Pick: Saints 23 Buccaneers 16

Panthers @ Falcons: This is it! This is for all the marbles baby! Bring it home, Cam. Bring that historically bad division title home! I love it.

Pick: Panthers 26 Falcons 20

Lions @ Packers: Just a nice little tune up for Aaron here before him and Olivia head off for their two week vacation. What a life.

Pick: Packers 24 Lions 17

Raiders @ Broncos: #PrayForTonyAndDerrick

Pick: Broncos 35 Raiders 13

Cardinals @ 49ers: If Jim Harbaugh’s going down (and he is), there’s no way he’s going down without a fight. Go get em’, Jimmy!

Pick: 49ers 20 Cardinals 16

Rams @ Seahawks: Oh look, the Seahawks are an elite powerhouse again… Who woulda thunk it?? Oh yeah, um, I did. Come on, world, don’t back a dog into an unnecessary corner. When will we learn?

Pick: Seahawks 23 Rams 13

Bengals @ Steelers: If Andy Dalton wins two primetime games in a row the world will undoubtedly explode.

I’m pretty confident we’ll still be spinning come Monday morning.

Pick: Steelers 23 Bengals 20


I'll have all your game day coverage tomorrow morning, followed by any last minute news and the inactives right before kickoff.

Then, I'll have your final live blog of the year beginning after the first quarter.

See you then.