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.
easy with the "too easy" comments. It's the 1st Q
Posted by: Jimmie Johnson | October 25, 2009 at 04:41 PM
keep it up full throttle the whole game.
Posted by: dave | October 25, 2009 at 04:41 PM
We need our D to keep the pressure on this is the first time all year the saints have trailed!!!
Posted by: Chewyphins | October 25, 2009 at 04:41 PM
I stand correct, JT did sure enough tip that pass so Wilson was within his right to hit the receiver.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:41 PM
RICKYYYYYYYYYY BABY YES!!!!!
Posted by: venom | October 25, 2009 at 04:41 PM
FINS UP
Posted by: Randthefin | October 25, 2009 at 04:42 PM
ahhhhh yeahhhh. its on biatches!!!!!!
Posted by: smirish | October 25, 2009 at 04:42 PM
And god spoke and said. Let's dolphins fans be repaid for their suffering!
Posted by: WarPhin | October 25, 2009 at 04:42 PM
The D came to play JT is playing great so far
Posted by: Hennegivensunda | October 25, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Perspective: yes :-)
Posted by: Robbyhenz | October 25, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Thanks for the Jets update Mando? Was it a leg or neck? You know? I missed it...
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | October 25, 2009 at 04:42 PM
That's big D right there boys. Big D. Like we've said all week: BRING IT!!
Posted by: Dishpan | October 25, 2009 at 04:42 PM
to quote Mandich: ALL RIGHT MIAMI!!!!
Posted by: Steve | October 25, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Game plan is coming true
Posted by: Standley23 | October 25, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Touchdown Baby!!!
Posted by: BlazzinAce | October 25, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Have you noticed JTs pressure on Brees has got him frustrated. Wait till Wake gets rotated in. Yeah Baby!!!!
Posted by: Spillmar | October 25, 2009 at 04:42 PM
Amen Steve
Posted by: Hennegivensunda | October 25, 2009 at 04:42 PM
They scurred!!!!!!
Posted by: Keithwpb2lv | October 25, 2009 at 04:43 PM
Wayne: leg
Posted by: Robbyhenz | October 25, 2009 at 04:43 PM
our special teams coach needs to go
Posted by: big I | October 25, 2009 at 04:43 PM
Of course, ST's kill us again
Posted by: Joel | October 25, 2009 at 04:43 PM
Dolphins special teams screwing the Dolphins. Again.
But nice play by Davis.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:43 PM
you gotta be fing kidding me
Posted by: Chase | October 25, 2009 at 04:44 PM
F'n special teams!!! F!!!!!! As if their offense isn't good enough!!!!!
Posted by: Robbyhenz | October 25, 2009 at 04:44 PM
What's the flag
Posted by: Wnyphinphan | October 25, 2009 at 04:44 PM
god that is awful special teams
Posted by: mike d | October 25, 2009 at 04:44 PM
Special teams suck
Posted by: Spillmar | October 25, 2009 at 04:44 PM
God dam special teams!
Posted by: Hennegivensunda | October 25, 2009 at 04:44 PM
special teams suck
Posted by: DAVE | October 25, 2009 at 04:44 PM
thanks special teams
Posted by: dave | October 25, 2009 at 04:44 PM
Yes push them back!!!!
Posted by: Spillmar | October 25, 2009 at 04:44 PM
It is quite clear the Dolphins have scoped out the New Orleans screen passes.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:44 PM
/sigh
Posted by: Bostonfinfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:44 PM
Was that Reggie roby's kid?
Posted by: Standley23 | October 25, 2009 at 04:45 PM
ughhhhh @ that kick return . started to look like the hurricanes game yesterday
Posted by: miateamsfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:45 PM
bad omen with st's
Posted by: DyingBreed | October 25, 2009 at 04:45 PM
Special team killing us again
Posted by: Inimounts | October 25, 2009 at 04:45 PM
get a 3rd down stop
Lets go Miami D.. Your playing amazing!
Posted by: Chase | October 25, 2009 at 04:45 PM
JT thinks it's 2002 again. He's outta his mind! Great play so far
Posted by: Bostonfinfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:45 PM
is there any way i can watch this game online?
i'm in the UK and LOVE the Fins!
Posted by: Sohail | October 25, 2009 at 04:45 PM
Sack
Posted by: Spillmar | October 25, 2009 at 04:45 PM
Our special teams us aweful. Every week same crap.
Posted by: Brett144 | October 25, 2009 at 04:45 PM
Safety blitz gets to Brees.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:45 PM
Nice sack on 3rd and 13 Starks
Posted by: mike d | October 25, 2009 at 04:46 PM
Called it
Posted by: Spillmar | October 25, 2009 at 04:46 PM
D is playing inspired!!!
Posted by: Chewyphins | October 25, 2009 at 04:46 PM
where has this defense been all year?
Posted by: miateamsfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:46 PM
wjere has thos d been all year? hell yeah
Posted by: smirish | October 25, 2009 at 04:46 PM
Regardless of whether the Saints get the FG, that series is a HUGE win for the Dolphins D.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:46 PM
Looks like the D came to play
Posted by: DAVE | October 25, 2009 at 04:46 PM
The defense is playing like they're possessed.
Posted by: perspective | October 25, 2009 at 04:46 PM
I love it!!!
Posted by: Keithwpb2lv | October 25, 2009 at 04:47 PM
Can't give them points!!! Defense is looking good!!!
Posted by: Robbyhenz | October 25, 2009 at 04:47 PM
Shoulda been 7. I'll Give em the FG
Posted by: Bostonfinfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:47 PM
Vontae davis saved us from a TD!!!!
Posted by: Chewyphins | October 25, 2009 at 04:47 PM
Where had this agressive defensive monster been all my life?!?!
Posted by: Inimounts | October 25, 2009 at 04:47 PM
hey props to the defense. Nice to see them stepping up. What a huge shoestring tackle that was on special teams.
Posted by: dave | October 25, 2009 at 04:47 PM
Where did defense come from, you can tell they were tried hearing how good the saints offense was, lol
Posted by: Eddy007 | October 25, 2009 at 04:47 PM
http://www.justin.tv/nobodysports_extra
Posted by: jrc | October 25, 2009 at 04:47 PM
how was that an impressive Kick return????? The dude only got touched by one guy and he still didnt score a TD??? Just awful special teams... new missing patrick cobbs was gonna hurt..
Posted by: Chase | October 25, 2009 at 04:47 PM