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.
Dolphins link please!!!!!
Posted by: Phinsphan | October 25, 2009 at 04:47 PM
Anyway I can watch the game online?
I'm in the UK and I'm a huge Fins fan.
Posted by: Sohail | October 25, 2009 at 04:47 PM
big save by the dolphins defense.....we still got the momentum going.......now lets get ted ginn back on kickoffs so we can get good field position too
Posted by: miateamsfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:47 PM
need to answer with a time consuming drive here
Posted by: big I | October 25, 2009 at 04:47 PM
Special teams as always can still suck a big one.
Posted by: Inimounts | October 25, 2009 at 04:47 PM
Let's keep it going.
Posted by: Beerndrums | October 25, 2009 at 04:48 PM
DEFENSE
Posted by: D-dense | October 25, 2009 at 04:48 PM
D has to play tough today..
GET MADDDDDDDDDDDDDD
Posted by: DAVE | October 25, 2009 at 04:48 PM
Saints behind end of first; that is proof positive. Go D. Come on now Henning, keep it on the ground and keep Brees cooled off.
Posted by: Spillmar | October 25, 2009 at 04:48 PM
Wtill cheap points, this can not for us to win. Every point scored will be crucial.
Posted by: DyingBreed | October 25, 2009 at 04:48 PM
Another TD drive will be a major statement.
Posted by: Bostonfinfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:48 PM
Coach B should have lost his job during the bye.
Posted by: Wayne Fontes | October 25, 2009 at 04:48 PM
Special teams is a joke
Posted by: Quietstorms3x | October 25, 2009 at 04:48 PM
now the offense has to help the D with another score keep the pressure off a bit
Posted by: dave | October 25, 2009 at 04:48 PM
Give p white the return
Posted by: Finatic | October 25, 2009 at 04:49 PM
Saints fan in front me stopped his talk real quick haha
Posted by: Standley23 | October 25, 2009 at 04:49 PM
nice return by ginn.......got his head in there and picked up a few yards
Posted by: miateamsfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:50 PM
Ricky!!!!!!!
Posted by: Stonecld33 | October 25, 2009 at 04:50 PM
that 68 yard run is a career long for Ricky Williams.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
WOOOOWWWWWWW...so much for tiime consuming drive
Posted by: big I | October 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
Great play from the d so far !!! Pressure nearly every play.
Posted by: macca | October 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
RICKY KILLING HIS FORMER SAINTS WHAT A RUN
Posted by: mike d | October 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
Ricky is blowing up yeah baby!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: dave | October 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
Run Ricky run!!!
Posted by: Chewyphins | October 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: DyingBreed | October 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
Aaaawwwwweeeeaassssssoooooommeeeeeee!!!!!
Posted by: Spillmar | October 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
wow @ this.........are my eyes deceiving me?
Posted by: miateamsfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
AWESOME !!!!
Posted by: perspective | October 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
Loooooovvveeeee POLITE!!!!!
Posted by: Robbyhenz | October 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
OMG! how many time can ricky f-up the saints?!!!!
Posted by: smirish | October 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
Run Ricky Run???
Posted by: Keithwpb2lv | October 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
OMG
Posted by: Finatic | October 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
Ricky is FAST!!
Posted by: Tommya | October 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
I love polite.. Easily my favorite player... What a block!!!
Posted by: FrankieD | October 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
:O
Posted by: Bostonfinfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:51 PM
RUN-RICKY-RUN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Chase | October 25, 2009 at 04:52 PM
I don't want to say I called it on the Dolphins running game but ...
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:52 PM
man if our defense plays like this everyweek and the offense can score points to give them a cushion......we might do some things this year
Posted by: miateamsfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:52 PM
RICKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Kula | October 25, 2009 at 04:52 PM
Game on
http://www.justin.tv/nobodysports_extra
I still think ricky is the best back on the phins :)
SOiled :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | October 25, 2009 at 04:52 PM
Polite with an amazing block! What a run!
Posted by: D | October 25, 2009 at 04:52 PM
What speed
Posted by: Standley23 | October 25, 2009 at 04:52 PM
Mando . so did i.
Posted by: NJ PHIN FAN | October 25, 2009 at 04:53 PM
http://www.justin.tv/nobodysports_extra/popout
Posted by: mjga84 | October 25, 2009 at 04:53 PM
Wish I could be there - awesome run Ricky.
It's cold back here in Scotland
Posted by: John | October 25, 2009 at 04:53 PM
One stop. Lets go miami D. One stop.
Posted by: Chase | October 25, 2009 at 04:53 PM
Ricky still has the gas
Posted by: Wnyphinphan | October 25, 2009 at 04:53 PM
nice. RICKY IS SHINING ON HIS LAST GIRLFRIEND!
Posted by: mark | October 25, 2009 at 04:54 PM
Longest rush of his career
Posted by: Wnyphinphan | October 25, 2009 at 04:54 PM
Oh yeah Baby!!!!
Posted by: shaggy | October 25, 2009 at 04:54 PM
Thank you Carpenter, do that everytime!!
Posted by: Joel | October 25, 2009 at 04:54 PM
that's a kickoff!!! This team is here to play.
Posted by: perspective | October 25, 2009 at 04:54 PM
D I saw that block too, go Ricky Go!
Posted by: Hennegivensunda | October 25, 2009 at 04:54 PM
Run Ricky run!!!!!
Posted by: D-dense | October 25, 2009 at 04:54 PM
good kickoff...........i know the saints are shell shocked right now......we need to keep the foot on their neck
Posted by: miateamsfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:54 PM
keep the pedal to the metal
Posted by: dave | October 25, 2009 at 04:54 PM
why does the streaming change
Posted by: DAVE | October 25, 2009 at 04:55 PM
SMITH !!!
Posted by: perspective | October 25, 2009 at 04:55 PM
Please hide Will Allen on third down.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:55 PM
Thank you soiled bottom
Posted by: Phinsphan | October 25, 2009 at 04:55 PM