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.
aRMANDO THERES YOUR BUSH ANSWER
Posted by: DyingBreed | October 25, 2009 at 04:55 PM
He's a rookie!!!
Posted by: Keithwpb2lv | October 25, 2009 at 04:56 PM
D
Posted by: D-dense | October 25, 2009 at 04:56 PM
D is possessed
Posted by: Spillmar | October 25, 2009 at 04:56 PM
Our D is possessed!!!!!
Posted by: Robbyhenz | October 25, 2009 at 04:56 PM
Wow Wake is quick!
Posted by: mike d | October 25, 2009 at 04:56 PM
Wake is a beast
Posted by: Stonecld33 | October 25, 2009 at 04:56 PM
cameron wake should be in there a lot
Posted by: dave | October 25, 2009 at 04:56 PM
tony mcdaniel at 6-8 gets the lock at the line of scrimmage. great strategy.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:56 PM
lol wake got around that tackle so fast......... brees almost pissed himself
Posted by: miateamsfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:56 PM
We're dreaming right?
Posted by: Randthefin | October 25, 2009 at 04:56 PM
two punt returns 14 yds each for Bess.
Posted by: perspective | October 25, 2009 at 04:57 PM
I am shocked how good the rush and the secondary is playing f
Keep it up Miami
Posted by: Chewyphins | October 25, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Brees only downfall to short
Posted by: Standley23 | October 25, 2009 at 04:57 PM
The formula. Run well, pressure Brees, check!
Posted by: Hennegivensunda | October 25, 2009 at 04:57 PM
glad i started ricky today
Posted by: dave | October 25, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Wake is the man, Jason Taylor replacment for the next few great years
Posted by: Eddy007 | October 25, 2009 at 04:57 PM
If the D keeps it up this game will be a blowout guys.
Posted by: DyingBreed | October 25, 2009 at 04:57 PM
good strategy putting giant defense lineman against the dwarf brees
Posted by: miateamsfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Anyone tweeting the play by play?
Posted by: Finsgo | October 25, 2009 at 04:57 PM
Need another TD here! Put the Aints AWAY!!!
Posted by: el guru | October 25, 2009 at 04:58 PM
we are dreaming
Posted by: mike d | October 25, 2009 at 04:58 PM
Seriously - we look like a freaking college team the way we are effectively running the ball! I love it! NO has no answer, nor has anyone else for the wildcat and our incredible offensive line. GO FINS - this is a statement game - win, and we got to be considered a major threat.
Posted by: MattD | October 25, 2009 at 04:58 PM
Clock killer
Posted by: Standley23 | October 25, 2009 at 04:59 PM
Our o-line is so physical
Posted by: DyingBreed | October 25, 2009 at 04:59 PM
Go vertical
Posted by: Spillmar | October 25, 2009 at 04:59 PM
lets run the ball keep the aints off the field and score td's
Posted by: miateamsfan | October 25, 2009 at 04:59 PM
Elite backs ladies and gents
Posted by: Dishpan | October 25, 2009 at 04:59 PM
the R&R express is rolling!
Posted by: el guru | October 25, 2009 at 04:59 PM
Lets go Fins
Posted by: D-dense | October 25, 2009 at 04:59 PM
Now they can gash them with the long pass.
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 04:59 PM
Scary tackle on Ronnie
Posted by: Spillmar | October 25, 2009 at 04:59 PM
time for the play action.....
Posted by: miateamsfan | October 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Wow speed
Posted by: Eddy007 | October 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Clock killa!
Posted by: Dishpan | October 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM
There's that speed on Ginny!!! Made something out of nothing..
Posted by: Robbyhenz | October 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Ginny is fast. Like to see some cross routes with this guy
Posted by: Spillmar | October 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Teddy
Posted by: D-dense | October 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM
help I can't see don't stop with the play by play
Posted by: robert evans | October 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM
I wasn't sure about Grove when he was signed............I now believe he was the missing link.
Posted by: perspective | October 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Ted "Out of Bounds" Ginn...WTF!
Posted by: el guru | October 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Miami Ground Machine is in full effect!
Posted by: Standley23 | October 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM
lets run ricky right now.
Posted by: mike d | October 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Polite
Posted by: Eddy007 | October 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM
ginn has to get that 1st down...
Posted by: big I | October 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM
when was the last time anyone saw Ginn head upfield for a first down instead of heading the sideline?
Posted by: Armando Salguero | October 25, 2009 at 05:00 PM
Hate to be critical but ginn could have had more on that.
Posted by: shaggy | October 25, 2009 at 05:01 PM
How about a pass from the cat?
Posted by: el guru | October 25, 2009 at 05:01 PM
Ginn was thinking about it
Posted by: Standley23 | October 25, 2009 at 05:01 PM
i like that reverse call to ginn......should run it more often....playaction is going to be there too
Posted by: miateamsfan | October 25, 2009 at 05:01 PM
Automatic
Posted by: Eddy007 | October 25, 2009 at 05:01 PM
Ginn needs to head back inside to try and get that first down.
Posted by: Brett144 | October 25, 2009 at 05:01 PM
3rd down kings
Posted by: Spillmar | October 25, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Pa to ginn for 6, DO IT!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Keithwpb2lv | October 25, 2009 at 05:02 PM
nice
Posted by: dave | October 25, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Polite fixes it. First DOWN!
Posted by: Randthefin | October 25, 2009 at 05:02 PM
polite is automatic on 3rd and short
Posted by: miateamsfan | October 25, 2009 at 05:02 PM
Hooooooollllllllyyy
Cooooow Miami!!!!!!! Go!!!
Posted by: aquaandorange | October 25, 2009 at 05:02 PM
when ginn ran that reverse against the jets and he took it inside when the outside was open. go figure
Posted by: mike d | October 25, 2009 at 05:02 PM
O-LINE new name-------MIAMI MAULING MACHINE!!!
Posted by: perspective | October 25, 2009 at 05:02 PM