ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- The Dolphins are no longer the worst team in the AFC East. Well, they're tied with the Buffalo Bills, both with 5-9 records. But the Dolphins have swept the Bills so they are effectively ahead of the Bills.
Hey, you take every smidge of good news with the 2011 Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins beat the Bills 30-23 today.
This is good: Todd Bowles got his first career head coaching victory.
This is good: Reggie Bush rushed for 203 yards and became the third person in franchise history to gain over 200 yards rushing in a game for Miami. It marked only the fourth time it happened in team history. (Ricky Williams did it twice, Lamar Smith did it once.)
This is good, too: Matt Moore played well Sunday despite suffering a mild concussion last week. He only completed 50 percent of his passes but threw two TDs, without an interception.
This was bad: Brandon Marshall dropped two TD passes. That left Miami to settle for field goals and thus make a clearly easy victory into a nail-biter.
This was bad: Marc Colombo gave up a strip sack that resulted in a Matt Moore fumble.
This was good: The Green Bay Packers lost today. Yes, the Dolphins remain the only franchise with a team that finished the season undefeated.
This was bad: The Dolphins have to, at some point, man up on defense. The zone defense simply shows its wear after a while. Seems to me Vontae Davis and Sean Smith are better suited for man coverage.
And then this: The Dolphins did not allow the Bills to convert a third down play this season. Buffalo was 0-for-12 in Miami.they were 0-for-11 today. Wow!
...
Posted by: Yeah! | December 18, 2011 at 04:24 PM
2nd
Posted by: Dan Marino | December 18, 2011 at 04:25 PM
Fin4Life.....
I respect your opinions and points on this blog....
but IMO.....on this blog....we spend to much time dwelling on the past...loving the PAST accomplishments of SHULA...
The PAST Greatness of MARINO....
Its time to leave the past in the past....and move our OFFENCE...DEFENSE...and ST...into the present...and then the FUTURE......We FIN FANS LOVE the past.....
I want to see us embrace the future.......while still respecting the past.....
when I first started posting to this site....my signature line was......
RESPECT THE PAST....EMBRACE THE FUTURE.....
and I still believe that today....
Posted by: kris | December 18, 2011 at 04:23 PM
Read more: http://miamiherald.typepad.com/dolphins_in_depth/2011/12/dolphins-lead-bills-20-7-to-start-fourth-quarter/comments/page/3/#comments#ixzz1gvKmh2IP
Posted by: kris | December 18, 2011 at 04:25 PM
Bowles will come down to reality next against NE....this team is BAD!!:(
Posted by: superPHIN | December 18, 2011 at 04:25 PM
Yesterdays Gone
Tooting my horn here. I called the fins win, you scoffed at me. You can unscoff now.
Posted by: DevilsAdvocate | December 18, 2011 at 04:24 PM
Posted by: kris | December 18, 2011 at 04:26 PM
Brady Back on the board quick.....
Posted by: kris | December 18, 2011 at 04:30 PM
Anybody can coach this Team. They have great talent.
Posted by: oscar canosa | December 18, 2011 at 04:30 PM
RESPECT THE PAST....EMBRACE THE FUTURE.....
and I still believe that today....
kris | December 18, 2011 at 04:23 PM
Kris,
From last post, I HEAR you loud and clear but I don't see how acknowledging the GREATEST single Season accomplishment in Pro Sports takes away from the task at hand regarding the teams future. I to want to compete and be relevant again in the here and now but one thing, at least for me, has nothing to do with the other.
Posted by: fin4life | December 18, 2011 at 04:31 PM
And then this: The Dolphins did not allow the Bills to convert a third down play this season. Buffalo was 0-for-12 in Miami.they were 0-for-11 today. Wow!
-------------------------------------------------
That is pretty amazing.......
Posted by: kris | December 18, 2011 at 04:32 PM
After razzing you, Armando. Why are we looking bad draft wise? Serious question. WHo has worse records than us? Indy, Saint louis, Minesota, Jacksonville. Only 1 of those teams needs a QB as the latter 3 have invested in young QBs recently. We are tied with a slew of other teams...Carolina-doesn't need a QB, Washington does, Philly doesn't, bufallo just comiited big bucks to ryan fitzpatrick. Kansas and seattle have better records now. Chargers dont. Tim tebow is screwing Denver royally, Arizona doesn't. Cleveland would be in play. Why are we so bad off?
Posted by: drsamii | December 18, 2011 at 04:32 PM
Gratz Todd Bowles :)
Posted by: SoiledBottom | December 18, 2011 at 04:32 PM
Armando,
Do you now see what I mean by your bias? You INTENTIONALLY failed to list Marshall's 65yd td grab with the good.
DUDE, YOU'VE HAD A PATTERN OF DOING THIS SINCE BEING A FINS WRITER. yOU OBVIOUSLY HAVE PLAYER BIAS.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 18, 2011 at 04:33 PM
Hey SuperPHIN, I think NE is bad, certainly their defense is worst in the league. What happened to all of those draft picks NE had? Didn't turn out so well huh ....
Posted by: Rand_the_fin | December 18, 2011 at 04:34 PM
Pop open the champagne Miami, the Mighty Packers have fallen!
Another Miami victory in Buffalo, swept. That win was for T. Sparano!!!
Posted by: David 1972, still undefeated | December 18, 2011 at 04:34 PM
Hey SuperPHIN, I think NE is bad, certainly their defense is worst in the league. What happened to all of those draft picks NE had? Didn't turn out so well huh ....
Posted by: Rand_the_fin | December 18, 2011 at 04:34 PM
When you can put up 45 pts in a game...who cares...the Packers not including today's loss sure as hell dont!!!
Mark my words, NE'S no huddle will kill nolans defense next week...(LIKE WEEK ONE DID)
Posted by: superPHIN | December 18, 2011 at 04:36 PM
Marshall just drops too many TD passes. Last I saw Hartline seems to catch everything thrown his way. Why not throw to him in the endzone more often. Congrats 72 Fins!
Posted by: socalphinfan | December 18, 2011 at 04:37 PM
Bronco's back in the lead
Posted by: SoiledBottom | December 18, 2011 at 04:37 PM
Denver scores again! 13-7 Jebows!
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 18, 2011 at 04:38 PM
Fin4Life...
IMO.....people have clinged to the perfect season for far to long....
You want my honest opinion.....without the PERFECT SEASON under his belt....Shula doesn't get to be mediocre with the GREATEST QB in NFL history....and get chance after chance after chance....to not EVEN MAKE it to the SB.......without that 17-0......perhaps Shula is gone sooner....and we get a coach who understands that in that ERA of football..he needed a top10 Defence...and a top 5 rushing attack to win the SB.....
I put many of Marino's failures directly on Shula's shoulders.....
Posted by: kris | December 18, 2011 at 04:38 PM
Wow, NE's defense is truly bad. There's no way they'll survive the playoffs with this unit.
Posted by: cosmodo | December 18, 2011 at 04:38 PM
whatever you dont confuse Tebowing with Teabagging
Posted by: SoiledBottom | December 18, 2011 at 04:39 PM
It would be quite "MIRACULOUS" if the "JEBOWS" end up winning this year's "SUPER BOWL"! LOL
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 18, 2011 at 04:40 PM
State of Florida, Tebow will be your future governor. then America, Tebow will be your future President! LOL
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 18, 2011 at 04:43 PM
I wonder if buffalo will make Fitzy boy the highest paid backup in the league next year....*lmao*
Posted by: superPHIN | December 18, 2011 at 04:44 PM
But of course, Tebow run on the ultra-conservative platform! LOL
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 18, 2011 at 04:44 PM
does anybody know where this win will drop us in draft position yet??!!
Posted by: superPHIN | December 18, 2011 at 04:45 PM
superPhin,
Buffal;o probably cuts Fitzpatrick next season. I can definitely see them in the qb draft derby this offseason!
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 18, 2011 at 04:45 PM
Holding on Denver.....that Refs going to burn in Heck
Posted by: SoiledBottom | December 18, 2011 at 04:47 PM
Congrats to Bowles nice to see a professional on the sidelines for a change instead of a bone headed cheerleader, it's the first dolphin game I watched in years where I didnt hear people in the bar either laughing at one of Tonys stupid decisions or saying that coach is way too happy for that field goal or why does that moron coach keep kissing his thumb every time the camera is on him etc etc etc and on and on, Sparano was terrible win or lose so thanks Bowles for the first embarass free Sunday In a long long time
Posted by: Get real | December 18, 2011 at 04:48 PM
SuperPHIN,
We entered the day in the 7th draft position. I see nothing above or below us has happened to change that.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 18, 2011 at 04:48 PM
We could have moved up at least one draft slot had we lost to Buffalo. That's about it.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 18, 2011 at 04:50 PM
We losse tiebreaker with Bills too. We beat them twice.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 18, 2011 at 04:51 PM
dammit 7th overall.....we have to trade up with someone...MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | December 18, 2011 at 04:51 PM
"dammit 7th overall.....we have to trade up with someone...MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!"
In the the words of Jean-Luc Picard...Make it so
Posted by: SoiledBottom | December 18, 2011 at 04:53 PM
*****MY SUNDAY RANT *****
Before going into my rant I want to relish in the victory and MY Super Bowl win today with the KC upset which I called. It feels good and some day I want that same feeling with the Dolphins future and Championships.
Time to get you all pissed off at me if you choose but exactly what was accomplished with the Dolphin Win today?
With the season long ago in the tank we have or i should say, we "had" a nice opportunity to draft low a QB in the 1st. With meaningless games, yes folks, they ARE meaningless and you all know that, are we looking to win today to feel good?
Or do we need to lose so that we can look to feel good next season and on.
Our future is NOT with many and I mean MANY of the current players and staff as the new leaders will decide on who remains and who will be released or traded.
As a life long Fin fan since the AFL merger I know the highs of winning as i demonstrated earlier with my glee with a packers lost, and the downs such as looking for greatness and a championship again.
Sometimes losing is for the better and in no way am I saying that players threw a game as that is the same as rigging. My point is I am not happy for the win today as it hurts our future.
There once was a well know owner with the last name HESS.
Hess had a passion for his team and took losses hard. In 1995, following a mediocre 6–10 season under Pete Carroll, despite generally shying away from football operations, Hess announced "I'm 80 years old, I want results now" during a conference in which Rich Kotite was introduced as the team's new coach.
Hess was a brilliant man but never seen the jets win as he passed.
While I am NOT 80 I as all of you want to see RESULTS NOW.
Today's win does not help the future or results.
REMEMBER when the Jets picked Ken O'Brien over Dan Marino??? THAT was the Jet curse.
Do we want to put ourselves in THAT same position by missing drafting THAT QB by one spot?
I say HELL NO.
Posted by: NY "G" | December 18, 2011 at 04:53 PM
Oooh...Philly up 14!
Posted by: cosmodo | December 18, 2011 at 04:55 PM
superphin,
As it stands right now, we could definitely get RG3, sitting at 7th. Everyone pretty much agrees it will depend on RG3's combine if he moves into the top 3 draft area.
Some reports say right now RG3 could possibly slip to around 15th. Huge questions concerning his actual height. He's listed at 6'2, but I think NFL guys are kind doubting it until they get thier actual tape measures on him.
His actual height is a huge concern right now. Still he's a 1st rd'er for sure.
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 18, 2011 at 04:55 PM
Bronco's 146 rushing yards in the first quarter
Posted by: SoiledBottom | December 18, 2011 at 04:55 PM
You called it NY G....
Props to you!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | December 18, 2011 at 04:57 PM
It was nice to see a head coach not do cartwheels after a gain of two yards...Bowles was stoic. Nothing wrong with that. 'Act like you've been there before."
Posted by: numbnut | December 18, 2011 at 04:57 PM
You called it NY G....
Props to you!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | December 18, 2011 at 04:57 PM
Thanks superFHIN.. Each season I look towards watching ESPN at 7:30pm on Sundays and tonight we shall all see and hear that famous popping sound. lol
Posted by: NY "G" | December 18, 2011 at 04:59 PM
NYG
But what are you advocating? For the team to organize to intentionally lose is fraud, illegal, and would paint a black mark forever on the organization and have an adverse affect on every member on the team. It's not even feasible they would attempt to organize any such thing.
Posted by: DevilsAdvocate | December 18, 2011 at 05:00 PM
Very surprised at Belichick. He knows full well that you have to put 8 on the line, make Tebow beat you with the pass. I guess the League wants to ride Tebow mania.
Posted by: oscar canosa | December 18, 2011 at 05:02 PM
Patriots give up 218 total yards in first quarter...167 on the ground
Posted by: SoiledBottom | December 18, 2011 at 05:02 PM
I cant understand why so much talk goes into a team that wins their first game of the season after going 0-13...its like such a big deal for some to talk about
When miami won against baltimore 2007, it was like a super bowl celebration....I mean cmon man, this is football, you dont get props for winning one game in a year...or shouldnt anyways!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | December 18, 2011 at 05:04 PM
Magahee heading to bronco's locker room
Posted by: SoiledBottom | December 18, 2011 at 05:05 PM
Jebows 16 Beli-Bradys 7! LOL
Posted by: Yesterday's Gone | December 18, 2011 at 05:07 PM
That 1972 Dolphins unbeaten record will never be broken simply because of the parity of the Teams nowadays.
Posted by: oscar canosa | December 18, 2011 at 05:07 PM
NyG.. I totally understand where your coming from but for me personally so many of these high draft picks turn out to be busts year after year anyway so I personally always want the fins to win especially these division games, the draft is just a big crap shoot and nothing is a sure thing, I'd rather enjoy the wins any Sunday but to each his own
Posted by: Get real | December 18, 2011 at 05:10 PM
The patriots defense blows. Pittsburgh or baltimore will run all over them. If we finish 6-10 or 7-9 that should b good enuf to grab rgIII or a big time safety in the first round.
How about switching to a 4-3 defense? We don't have the personnel to properly execute a 3-4.
Ps phillys putting a hurting on the jets now 21-0!
Posted by: buckeyephinfan | December 18, 2011 at 05:12 PM
The League has been eternally pissed at Shula for going undefeated in 1972.No wonder they later forced the departure of Csonka, Kiick, and Warfield.
Posted by: oscar canosa | December 18, 2011 at 05:13 PM
NYG
But what are you advocating? For the team to organize to intentionally lose is fraud, illegal, and would paint a black mark forever on the organization and have an adverse affect on every member on the team. It's not even feasible they would attempt to organize any such thing.
Posted by: DevilsAdvocate | December 18, 2011 at 05:00 PM
DA,
As I said in part pasted below from my 4:53pm post..
Sometimes losing is for the better and in no way am I saying that players threw a game as that is the same as rigging. My point is I am not happy for the win today as it hurts our future.
As such i am not advocating as you asked if I was.
WE have zero control which you and i and everyone else knows over the way players play or how a coach calls and coaches. The ONLY direct effect on the game (sometimes) is being the 12th man and screaming our heads off.
My point was only that people are happy as hell with the win win today but happy for ___?
Posted by: NY "G" | December 18, 2011 at 05:14 PM
Devil getting his due..Patriots about to score
Posted by: SoiledBottom | December 18, 2011 at 05:15 PM
Matt Moore has earned another chance to play in miami next year.....but preferably as a backup...
Reggie Bush has been a pleasent surprise and most likely will be back next year....
Would love to see reggie wayne in aqua next year.....just a wish!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | December 18, 2011 at 05:16 PM
"Devil getting his due..Patriots about to score"
No offense meant to blog regular DevilsAdvocate
Posted by: SoiledBottom | December 18, 2011 at 05:16 PM
NYG
Apologies, I read your post too fast (because it was soooo long) and missed that detail.
Posted by: DevilsAdvocate | December 18, 2011 at 05:18 PM
Jets getting smoked by phily.....
Week 17 meeting looking more meaningless by the minute...just sayin!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | December 18, 2011 at 05:19 PM
This is good - we won
This is bad - we won and continue to fall farther in the draft.
This is good - Bowles coached like an NFL coach, no rah rah just coach
This is bad - we play NE and Jets next.
This is good- Bowles keeps the job by sweeping NE and the Jets !! Heh its Christmas every Fin fan needs a present
Posted by: Drew | December 18, 2011 at 05:20 PM
Drew,
ill bite a possible win against the jets but i dont see anyway or how we beat NE next week in foxboro against their no huddle offense....Regardless of their outcome against denver!!!
Posted by: superPHIN | December 18, 2011 at 05:22 PM
Got to have some faith its the only way to make it thru this cruddy season ya know.
Posted by: Drew | December 18, 2011 at 05:24 PM