As I just got done saying on my radio show for the last two hours, today's game is a defining one for the Dolphins.
Notice I did not say it is a must-win. It is not that.
But it is one that will tell us exactly what we have in these Dolphins. It will tell us if this team can successfully compete with the elite teams in the NFL -- which, in turn, will tell us how legitimate a playoff contender Miami is.
Or it will tell us that the Dolphins are what they have been the first five weeks of this NFL season -- a good team that can hang with elite teams, but cannot actually beat elite teams.
The 2-3 Dolphins are a on a two-game win streak and that's great. They are undefeated in the AFC East and that's great. And they hung with Indy and Atlanta earlier in the season. But ...
The teams Miami beat are a combined 5-7. At some point the Dolphins have to beat a really good team to convince everyone, including themselves, they are a legitimate playoff contender.
And what better time than today? The Dolphins are coming off a bye so they've had extra time to prepare. They're at home. They're playing a team that had an emotional game last week and has difficult division games the next two weeks after this one.
So the time is now. Today we find out about these Dolphins.
Today defines the Dolphins.
Join me in the comments section for the first quarter of the live blog.
Come strong so you can show the New Orleans trolls, whodatbeattheSaints.
wow did you look at the push by jake grove!
Posted by: Chase | October 25, 2009 at 04:30 PM
Henne looked deep to Ginn but he waas not open on the seam route.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:31 PM
It seemed like Henne had a deep pass play there
Posted by: Tommya | October 25, 2009 at 04:31 PM
Let's get on the board!!!
Posted by: Keithwpb2lv | October 25, 2009 at 04:31 PM
Bess incomplete. time to punt.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Won't get lucky twice
Posted by: Eddy007 | October 25, 2009 at 04:32 PM
Bess?
Posted by: Keithwpb2lv | October 25, 2009 at 04:33 PM
Bess is fighting the ball today. What is the issue?
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | October 25, 2009 at 04:33 PM
Solid punt!
Posted by: Randthefin | October 25, 2009 at 04:33 PM
Nice punt
Posted by: Bostonfinfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:34 PM
need a link to a feed? tbat last one freezes
Posted by: pj | October 25, 2009 at 04:34 PM
k we run 3 times and its a first down. We pass 3 times in a row and its a punt. Try to stop doing that....
Posted by: Chase | October 25, 2009 at 04:34 PM
So the first drive didnt look to good?
Posted by: Ricky34 | October 25, 2009 at 04:34 PM
need a better feed this one is too choppy
Posted by: miateamsfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:34 PM
That would not have a easy catch, and they gave us the first one, we are looking good today, I love henne is throwing, this will give the running game a huge boast
Posted by: Eddy007 | October 25, 2009 at 04:34 PM
Question. Is this the first game this season, that the Saints haven't scored on their opening drive?
Posted by: perspective | October 25, 2009 at 04:34 PM
yeah get the run going then go to the play action when it scares them. we have to make the most of each possesion
Posted by: dave | October 25, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Mando,
It looks like the Saints are biting hard on the play action. I can't believe no one's open in the middle of the field!! I can't tell on tv though... what are u seeing there on the play action?
Posted by: Tommya | October 25, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Run run run, Coaches are calling all over the place
Posted by: Spillmar | October 25, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Hennes throws today have been a little off the mark. Hopefully he'll settle down and make the throws later.
Posted by: Chase | October 25, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Game on
http://www.justin.tv/nobodysports_extra
Soiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | October 25, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Of interest to Dolphins fans: Leon Washington of the Jets carted off the field of jets vs. Oakland.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Justin.tv click sports, click labelle vs boca or something close to that
Posted by: Keithwpb2lv | October 25, 2009 at 04:35 PM
Lets go D !!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Nando | October 25, 2009 at 04:35 PM
They are giving away a piece of KFC chicken tomorrow...um..um..uum
Posted by: JR | October 25, 2009 at 04:36 PM
False start on Saints.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:36 PM
saints look a little jittery
Posted by: mike d | October 25, 2009 at 04:36 PM
Taylor looks like he's 24!
Posted by: Genothefox | October 25, 2009 at 04:36 PM
Defense
Posted by: D-dense | October 25, 2009 at 04:37 PM
We shook em. I'm about30 seconds behind
Posted by: Keithwpb2lv | October 25, 2009 at 04:37 PM
D scheme looks good so far
Posted by: Hennegivensunda | October 25, 2009 at 04:37 PM
And now delay againt Saints. The vaunted offense headed in wrong direction.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:37 PM
Yessss!!!
Posted by: Finatic | October 25, 2009 at 04:37 PM
Our D is in their O's head it seems so far.
Posted by: Joel | October 25, 2009 at 04:37 PM
HaAaa
Posted by: Standley23 | October 25, 2009 at 04:37 PM
As the crowd goes WILD
Posted by: Randthefin | October 25, 2009 at 04:37 PM
Safety?
Posted by: Keithwpb2lv | October 25, 2009 at 04:37 PM
That was pass interference on Wilson.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:37 PM
Gibril Wilson!!!???!!!
Posted by: Keithwpb2lv | October 25, 2009 at 04:38 PM
JT got a piece of it though
Posted by: Joel | October 25, 2009 at 04:38 PM
ball was tipped by taylor so no
Posted by: mike d | October 25, 2009 at 04:38 PM
Tyrone Culver with the INT and out at the 4 yard line.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:38 PM
Ball was tipped armando
Posted by: Keithwpb2lv | October 25, 2009 at 04:38 PM
IMF
Posted by: Randthefin | October 25, 2009 at 04:39 PM
Yea baby
Posted by: Chewyphins | October 25, 2009 at 04:39 PM
Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Let's go fins!!!!!!!
Posted by: Robbyhenz | October 25, 2009 at 04:39 PM
thats a touchdown
Posted by: miateamsfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:39 PM
WHO DAT!!! WHO DAT!!!!
Posted by: Jimmie Johnson | October 25, 2009 at 04:39 PM
QUESTION:Is this the first game this season, that the Saints haven't scored on their opening drive?
Posted by: perspective | October 25, 2009 at 04:34 PM
GREAT interception !!!
Posted by: perspective | October 25, 2009 at 04:39 PM
I love it!!!!!
Posted by: Keithwpb2lv | October 25, 2009 at 04:39 PM
ugh never mind..................thats allright big interception
Posted by: miateamsfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:39 PM
Wildcat TD for Ricky Williams!
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:39 PM
ricky 5 yard td run
Posted by: mike d | October 25, 2009 at 04:40 PM
Go fins!!!!!
Posted by: Chewyphins | October 25, 2009 at 04:40 PM
That wAs to easy
Posted by: Standley23 | October 25, 2009 at 04:40 PM
Oohhh Sh&"
Posted by: Finatic | October 25, 2009 at 04:40 PM
touchdown !!!!! allright what a good start so far
Posted by: miateamsfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:40 PM
OHHHHHH YEAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: dave | October 25, 2009 at 04:40 PM
Run Ricky.run!!!
Posted by: perspective | October 25, 2009 at 04:40 PM
NICE! damn jimmy buffet song is killing me though
Posted by: big I | October 25, 2009 at 04:40 PM