The Falcons held the Saints to 23 points. The Bucs held them to 16. They scored 31 on the Cardinals. I think we have a better defense than any of those 3 teams. Especially in points allowed.

According to PFF we have the 2nd best pass rushing team in the NFL and the Saints are 8th. We have slacked off over weeks 2 and 3 in sacks and will need to pick it up this week to have any chance. The Saints have only allowed 38 points on defense this year while we have allowed 53.

That means we HAVE to score more than any other team has this year against the Saints. I think we are the best offense they have played to date and should be able to score 24 points. I also think our D can hold them under that amount if you look at what the Falcons and Bucs held them to...

Dolphins 24, Saints 17

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“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

Also...has anyone else notice that we finally have a face of the franchise. Last year it was "The Miami Dolphins come to town..." and maybe a picture of Cameron Wake if we were lucky but usually just the goofy old logo (lol). This year it's "Ryan Tannehill and the Miami Dolphins"...NICE.

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“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

Miami 27

Saints 24

All Right Miami!

GO DOLPHINS!!!!

eesti Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The Falcons held the Saints to 23 points. The Bucs
> held them to 16. They scored 31 on the Cardinals.
> I think we have a better defense than any of those
> 3 teams. Especially in points allowed.


That may well be a slanted stat.

I believe I saw that their red zone efficiency is something like 33% (our is around 88%).


That concerns me. Tells me that they are leaving a LOT of points on the field. That could be an unfixable issue, or more likely, its a very correctable issue and they are due to break out. With Brees at QB, I'm guessing its the later and hoping they don't straighten out their issues until next week!




>
> According to PFF we have the 2nd best pass rushing
> team in the NFL and the Saints are 8th. We have
> slacked off over weeks 2 and 3 in sacks and will
> need to pick it up this week to have any chance.
> The Saints have only allowed 38 points on defense
> this year while we have allowed 53.
>
> That means we HAVE to score more than any other
> team has this year against the Saints. I think we
> are the best offense they have played to date and
> should be able to score 24 points. I also think
> our D can hold them under that amount if you look
> at what the Falcons and Bucs held them to...
>
> Dolphins 24, Saints 17

I'm still not sold on my Fins.

Yeah, they knocked off two playoff teams from a year ago, but struggled in doing so. Sure, a win is a win, and I'll take it.

They have just made way too many mistakes on both sides of the ball. Offense is having problems on the OL, running game isn't where it should be (yet), WRs making too many critical drops, and RT holding the ball too long. And...Wallace has to get more involved, i.e., 2-3 bombs during the game (keep the NO D honest). On defense, they are still having problems tackling, Soliai will (probably) not play, Wake may play, but I highly doubt he will be effective, and our DBs are hurting. Grimes is the only sure thing back there. Our kicking game is the only constant.

I'm not saying NO is the powerhouse they were, but they are still good, and they have Peyton back at coach and Brees isn't going away anytime soon.

Miami can't afford any mistakes, i.e., dropped pass at critical juncture, fumbles, running game getting stuffed, OL not blocking, D line getting pushed around, no pressure on Brees, DBs out of position.

This is going to be a tough game for Miami, and should let everyone know what the Dolphins are all about.

Anything less than our A game, and I think we have a 75% chance of losing. Bring our A game, and I'm going to say we have better than 50/50.

Last year on the road against a 3-0 team with an elite QB, I would have said 10% chance.

captkoi Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm still not sold on my Fins.
>
> Yeah, they knocked off two playoff teams from a
> year ago, but struggled in doing so. Sure, a win
> is a win, and I'll take it.


I'm with you cap.

Clearly we are an improved team and we can now compete with the upper echelon teams in the league on any given night, but we still have to prove we belong in that group on a permanent basis.

I don't think we will win tonight, but I hope we play a respectable game and have a shot going into the 4th quarter.

.

THE Truth Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> eesti Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > The Falcons held the Saints to 23 points. The
> Bucs
> > held them to 16. They scored 31 on the
> Cardinals.
> > I think we have a better defense than any of
> those
> > 3 teams. Especially in points allowed.
>
>
> That may well be a slanted stat.
>
> I believe I saw that their red zone efficiency is
> something like 33% (our is around 88%).
>
>
> That concerns me. Tells me that they are
> leaving a LOT of points on the field. That could
> be an unfixable issue, or more likely, its a very
> correctable issue and they are due to break out.
> With Brees at QB, I'm guessing its the later and
> hoping they don't straighten out their issues
> until next week!

It's an issue alright. They have not been playing well and have struggles the same as we do. They are running the ball worse than Miami for one. I don't see them fixing that against us.

And by not playing well...I only mean that they are not the high flying Saints of years past and Brees has thrown 6 int's already and been sacked 10 times. They have actually been winning with defense.

They have also not had to play good teams. We know the Falcons are struggling. Then add TB and AZ....

.....................................................................................
“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

On the other thread about predictions at the time of the bye week, I rated this game a tossup and next week a lost to Baltimore. I still rate this a tossup but am more optimistic about next week after seeing Flacco absolutely suck yesterday.

ChyrenB Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> On the other thread about predictions at the time
> of the bye week, I rated this game a tossup and
> next week a lost to Baltimore. I still rate this
> a tossup but am more optimistic about next week
> after seeing Flacco absolutely suck yesterday.


I think with a bit of faith we end up at least 4-1 going into the bye.

Who would had thought.

This game is going to be about RT, he is going to have to put up some pts IMO.. Keep the offense with a consistent steady attack... If he can do that, I believe we win.... THe wildcards are, ST, and turnovers...

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All things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.
Nietzsche

Jeff Darlington ?@JeffDarlington 8m
I'm told Paul Soliai and Cameron Wake are both looking good for tonight. Specifically on Soliai, source says, "Paul is 100 percent a go."

Paul Soliai is 100% go. Wake is dressing and will try out what they are now saying is a hamstring right before game time!

Woohoo. Good news.

.....................................................................................
“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

Armando Salguero ?@ArmandoSalguero 2m
Paul Soliai is in his uniform pants so something will have to go WRONG for him not to play. He's a go in all probability.

James Walker ?@JamesWalkerNFL 3m
#Dolphins HC Joe Philbin was taking a very close look at DE Cameron Wake during warmups.




Armando Salguero ?@ArmandoSalguero 4m
It does not look like Cameron Wake is playing.

eesti Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> UPDATE: Afterward
> the men gathered with the player and, reading the
> body language, it didn't look good. I'd say
> Cameron Wake is not playing tonight.]
>


That sucks, we need all the guns we have in our holster to attack Brees....All I can hope is this will be Jordan's breakout performance..

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All things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.
Nietzsche

Andrew Abramson ?@AbramsonPBP 2m
RT @JeffDarlington: I'm told Wake, after concluding pregame workout, is now taped and dressed in the locker room as if he's playing tonight.

Jeff Darlington ?@JeffDarlington 31s
And Cameron Wake is inactive. Sorry, guys. I was a big tease for ya. He prepared as if he was playing -- all the way until he wasn't.

that sucks

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All things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.
Nietzsche

At least it sounds like we got Soliai back. That's huge...no pun intended

Guess nobody needs a play by play tonight since we are on PRIME TIME.

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“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

yup

I'm gonna have a friggin stroke.....Holy crap! I can't wait but i'm nervous as hell. Been a long time since we were actually good. This game will show if we are contenders or just on the cusp and needing a few more pieces in 2014.

.....................................................................................
“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

WOW, they all picked us to lose....

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All things are subject to interpretation whichever interpretation prevails at a given time is a function of power and not truth.
Nietzsche

nobody in espn picked the phins lol.