Did you wake up this morning feeling like it's Christmas? I did. I was actually excited about covering today's game and I've covered perhaps 300 NFL games and 18 Super Bowls in my career.
Today is about making a statement for the Miami Dolphins.
If the Dolphins beat the New England Patriots, we will know that we know that we know that they are for real, that they won't go away the rest of the season, that what we saw during the four-game winning streak was not a mirage.
If the Dolphins lose to New England today we will once again be focusing on a yeah-but team. They won four consecutive games before today, yeah, but they barely got by terrible Oakland and Seattle teams. They got to these heights of relevance, yeah, but they fell back to the pack of teams likely not getting in the playoffs.
So today is, well, HUGE!
Expect a huge crowd today. The traffic around the stadium is already buzzing when normally it is dead this time of day. I will be blogging live starting at kickoff. Join me in the comments section and we'll watch what happens together.
Do you think it will be a sellout crowd today? Can't wait for the Phins to prove we are THE threat in NFL to all the doubters and sports "experts" and analysts that have been on the phin haters bandwagon for years.
Beat up on those Patsies. GO phins!
Posted by: beerphin | November 23, 2008 at 10:12 AM
Go Phins!!!
bring out the broom for the patsies!!!
Posted by: hurriphin | November 23, 2008 at 10:26 AM
phins win today, and we will OFFICIALLY be world recognized as a "Good Team!!" and how long has it been since we were one of those?!?
Posted by: hurriphin | November 23, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Go Phins!
Go Mondo!
Posted by: Master | November 23, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Jesus Christ, I'm FREAKING nervous... I have NO idea which Dolphin team is going to show up! All I know is that our post-season dreams hang on today's results. If Tennessee hangs on and we somehow beat the Pats, we will have an EXCELLENT chance of keeping up with the Jets throughout the season! GO PHINS!!!!!
Posted by: Willy Perez-Feria | November 23, 2008 at 10:45 AM
is Barry Jackson still with the paper?
Posted by: LJM | November 23, 2008 at 10:50 AM
All of you living an alternative lifestyle please keep it to yourselves today.
Football is a game of men, by men and for men!
Posted by: Master | November 23, 2008 at 10:50 AM
"Did you wake up this morning feeling like it's Christmas?"
Bout like that...if Christmas was only celebrated on leap years.
Posted by: Arnie | November 23, 2008 at 11:28 AM
BloodyMary Sunday all about it,,,,,,,It's time to fly,,,,,haven't felt this good about Sundays since Danny boy,,,,,,,love seein Roth come up big at the line of scrimmage,,,,,,,it's time for Ginn to make a statement,,,,Ricky's been huge,,,,let's see hime
carry the rock!!Miami Dolphins #1 baby!!!!
Posted by: dolphinden | November 23, 2008 at 11:32 AM
LETS GO DOLPHINS!!!!!!!!! Just droppin in to show some support. I'll be watching the game online from up here in Maryland.
Hit em hard boys!
Posted by: finfan2009 | November 23, 2008 at 11:58 AM
Mando, which jersey do i wear ricky or ronnie?
Posted by: jeremey from Michigan | November 23, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Mando, whick jersey do I wear today Ricky or Ronnie?
Posted by: jeremey from Michigan | November 23, 2008 at 12:01 PM
from the sound of it you are the only one concerned about other men. you must really be into H0mos to be so worried about it everyday did your dad's friends stick it to you as a kid or something. Master is stuck in the closet
Posted by: Master plays for the other team | November 23, 2008 at 12:01 PM
You can get live updates of the score by texting the word "fins" to the number 53318. Its pretty cool, give it a try!
Posted by: mike | November 23, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Mando - any word on inactives yet? Let me guess on name - Wilford?
Posted by: MD Fin fan | November 23, 2008 at 12:06 PM
Yes, Christmas has come early. I will soon find out if I got that Mustang I've been dreaming of or just more tube socks.
Posted by: Louden | November 23, 2008 at 12:09 PM
I've been reading this blog for a bit now and Master's comments are by far the most ridiculous and stupid posts on this blog. seems to me he is a liar and a Giant Tool. prolly a Jet fan... But I do get a laugh once in a while so keep smokin' whatever it is that makes you write that nonsense
Posted by: phinneas | November 23, 2008 at 12:10 PM
Inactive players for the Patriots:
CB Jason Webster
OT Wesley Britt
OL Billy Yates
TE Tyson DeVree
RB LaMont Jordan
CB Mike Richardson
LB Adalius Thomas
Matt Gutierrez – 3rd quarterback
Inactive players for the Dolphins:
WR Ernest Wilford
CB Joey Thomas
G Shawn Murphy
DE Lionel Dotson
T Nate Garner
TE Joey Haynos
DE Rodrique Wright
John Beck – 3rd quarterback
Posted by: jackie | November 23, 2008 at 12:11 PM
Chris Berman is such a homer to those who he likes in the league. It is so bogus. I am not sure if he likes the Pats or Andy Reid the best.
Posted by: Hayden Fox | November 23, 2008 at 12:15 PM
The Beef Sez:MANDO WHY U PICKING DA FISH,ULL JINX THEM.
Posted by: BEEF SUPREME | November 23, 2008 at 12:16 PM
Hate to put a damper on your party Armando but the Fins may also lose this game. I'm going to root HARD for the Fins to prevail but I'm also going to have realistic expectations about this game as well.
GO FINS!
Posted by: teezeepan | November 23, 2008 at 12:17 PM
Just wanted to drop a line from NC GO PHINS!!!!!!!!!! RONNIE IS GOING TO MAKE THE FIRST GAME LOOK LIKE HE WAS HURT CUZ HE WILL GO FOR 4 SCORES AND 200 YARDS TODAY........STAMP IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jimmy in NC | November 23, 2008 at 12:18 PM
BLEEP THE BLEEPIN PATSIES
Posted by: Jimmy in NC | November 23, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Regardless of today, there is a lot of season left and opportunities.
Posted by: Hayden Fox | November 23, 2008 at 12:20 PM
Beef Sez:JOEY PORTER GOING GANGSTER ON ESPN BOUT BELACHEAT,TESTIFY J.P. U MY DOG.
Posted by: BEEF SUPREME | November 23, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Win or lose it's great to have a game mean something the weekend before Thanksgiving. I think the last big game we've had at home was the Oakland game 6 years ago. If you would have told me last year at this time (when the Fins were 0-10 and the Pats were 10-0) that Miami was actually favored playing against them I would have thought you were smoking something. What a great job by Sparano and co! Let's go Fins and show Bill The Cheater who the new genius coach is!
Posted by: Danny | November 23, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Beef Sez:FINS WILL BRING A GAME,THERE PLAYING A GOOD TEAM THAT CHEATS.
Posted by: BEEF SUPREME | November 23, 2008 at 12:29 PM
I see Ronnie Brown having another career day. if they play 8 in the box Pennington will Burn em bad. Bellicheat knows this and won't let us beat them in the air. I wanna see the Wildcat being shoved down this coaches throat today. If we have success again against them with it Teams will really be scared of Sparano and the phins
Posted by: Beerphin | November 23, 2008 at 12:42 PM
Alright. This is what we've been waiting for. HUGE game for this franchise. Lets gov fins...make us prouder!
Posted by: pancanfinfan | November 23, 2008 at 12:42 PM
The Beef Asks:WHAT WILL TED(HANDS OF STONE)GINNS STATS BE TODAY?
Posted by: BEEF SUPREME | November 23, 2008 at 12:43 PM
I cant explain how amped up I am for this game. Win or Lose I still love these dolphins, I just want us to go down fighting today...Defense wins championship, and I want our defense to set the tone for the day...Lets go Mr. Porter just do what you been doing all year.. Chad Pennington manage the game, Ronnie Brown blast for 200 yards... Everyone else play your ass off. Lets go Fins!!!!
Posted by: farrington07 | November 23, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Beef Sez:MASTERS IS A TOOL AND I SAW HIM DOWN HERE IN DA GETTO LAST NITE DRESSED AS A CHICKEN HEAD,AS A MATER OF FACT HIS STREET NAME IS PRINCESS.
Posted by: BEEF SUPREME | November 23, 2008 at 12:51 PM
Beef Sez:U CAN CHECK IT OUT URSELF AT U TUBE AT CHICKENHEAD.COM@LIBERTYCITY.ORG
Posted by: BEEF SUPREME | November 23, 2008 at 12:54 PM
man this is fun. excited about a big game
Posted by: David | November 23, 2008 at 12:55 PM
For the first time a long time I have the pre-game jitters.
Posted by: nyfinfan | November 23, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Beef Sez:U CAN CHECK IT OUT URSELF AT U TUBE AT CHICKENHEAD.COM@LIBERTYCITY.ORG
Posted by: BEEF SUPREME | November 23, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Beef Sez:YO NYFINFAN U NEED TO GET A SHOT OF PENNICELLIAN THAT WILL CLEAR UP UR JETTERS,P.S. KEEP AWAY FROM PRINCESS U WONT GET THE JETTERS.
Posted by: BEEF SUPREME | November 23, 2008 at 01:01 PM
have we won in the aqua unis' yet?
what color we wearin' today?
Posted by: hurriphin | November 23, 2008 at 01:02 PM
Please don't tell me the short kickoff is the special teams friggin plan today
Posted by: dolphanforlife | November 23, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Ummmm...What was that? White flag on kicks.
Posted by: Hayden Fox | November 23, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Great field position for NE to start the game
Posted by: The New Kid | November 23, 2008 at 01:03 PM
If we're gonna pooch it, might as well just kick it out of bounds
Posted by: Joel | November 23, 2008 at 01:03 PM
come on D shut them down
Posted by: David | November 23, 2008 at 01:04 PM
Take the ball away...
Posted by: Hayden Fox | November 23, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Godo start for the Patriots. And they're throwing on every down.
Posted by: The New Kid | November 23, 2008 at 01:05 PM
almost intercepted
Posted by: Eric | November 23, 2008 at 01:05 PM
Decent pressure so far.
Posted by: Joel | November 23, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Come on Coach P, get the right personell out there.
Posted by: Hayden Fox | November 23, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Even if we stop them, you know they'll go for it on 4th and short. Bad TO by Sparano
Posted by: Andrew H | November 23, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Where's Mando, finishing off a hot dog?
Posted by: Joel | November 23, 2008 at 01:09 PM
need a sack here
Posted by: David | November 23, 2008 at 01:09 PM
I think carpenter said best last week....it's all about hang time and the kickoff didn't hang there for long.
Posted by: nyfinfan | November 23, 2008 at 01:10 PM
So the Patriots have completed five consecutive passes for a total of 58 yards so far.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | November 23, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Beef Sez:STILL ABOUT 20 THOUSAND SEATS EMPTY THE BEEFSTERS LOOKING TO UPGRADE.
Posted by: BEEF SUPREME | November 23, 2008 at 01:10 PM
pooch kick = loser's mentality; all else flows therefrom.
Posted by: C. Little | November 23, 2008 at 01:10 PM
Draw
Posted by: Hayden Fox | November 23, 2008 at 01:11 PM
I wasn't finishing off a hot dog, although that's a good idea. I was finishing off my radio show.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | November 23, 2008 at 01:11 PM
pressure!!!!
Posted by: | November 23, 2008 at 01:11 PM
the Dolphins blitz on third down, bring Bell from strong safety, and that caused the Pats problems.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | November 23, 2008 at 01:12 PM
am shocked they didnt go for it on 4th down
Posted by: Andrew H | November 23, 2008 at 01:12 PM