This was a must-lose game. A win right there, and next thing you know we’re in the playoffs and picking at the bottom of the draft again. A loss was critical to improve our draft position. Sparano and his coaches had done their best all week to emphasize this, drumming into the players’ heads the need to come out flat, miss tackles, and above all give up turnovers at critical points in the game. In the end, though, it’s all about execution.

Early on, the players responded. They obviously came out with great focus on losing this game. The first half was one of the standout defensive performances of the season. Houston came in with one of the worst rushing attacks in the NFL, but they were no match for the gaping holes engineered by our defense. Houston scored on every offensive possession in the first half. On offense, Henne calmly and efficiently came through with critical incompletions on third down, topping it off with a much-needed interception in the second quarter. Ricky Williams was unable to keep his two-game fumbling streak alive (perhaps too much to ask for at his age), but still made sure to redirect the pass into the hands of the defender.

All in all, it was looking like a perfect half, but like too many times this season, there was a potentially-devastating momentum shift just before halftime, when Dan Carpenter made a 27-yard field goal (he later came through with a critical miss).

The second half has been the team’s achilles heel, and yesterday was no exception. The defense lost focus and failed to allow Houston any points in the second half. Meanwhile, the offense reeled off 20 consecutive points. The near-goat of the game? Who else but Ted Ginn, Jr.? His shocking, 62-yard touchdown reception almost cost us the loss. Luckily he was bailed out by the quick-thinking Lousaka Polite, one of the best blockers on the team, who wisely chose this moment to cut block the rookie Connor Barwin right in front of the refs.

Just when it seemed like we were about to completely blow it, our coaches came through and preserved the loss. Knowing that it would take two scores to win with 5 minutes to play, Sparano chose to punt rather than go for it on fourth down. Brilliant. That wasn’t enough to clinch it though—we still had our time outs. So Henning made sure to send a play in late, making Henne burn a crucial time out. You could see the deflation on the Houston sideline at these masterful coaching maneuvers.

A blowout would have been easier on the nerves, but hey, a loss is a loss.

funny...one of the more entertaining posts ive seen on here

Cudos for sense of humor ... so pathetic for the team to not be up for this game nor for the last 3 losses (BUF - ughh, TEN - at least they tried, HOU - Almost as Emabarassing as BUF).

What concerns me most is that NOW ... after its too late, for emabarassment sake they'll come out and play hard for what will only result in a worse draft pick if we win ... but they can't get up when it counts - Sad

That was definately funny.

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"When you suck long enough, you get a Hickey"

Ditto. I was angry and stewing at the beginning but rolling on the floor laughing by the end.

dont let mikeO read that. He will take it way to serious!

Thanks for the pick me up, after the horrific day yesterday. I guess you can't look at the glass half-full with this team.

It's just half-empty!

Again, it was beautiful!

This post needs to be blown up big, framed and hung in the Dolphins locker room during training camp.

You have cleverly put it into perspective.

humorous and effective.