After 2 hard fought, gritty, somewhat sloppy road wins, we'll make our home opener next week against the Atlanta Falcons. Of the first 5 games everybody was so worried about, this one and New Orleans are my only real concerns. That said, I think we match up defensively with them fairly well. Their WRs are kinda gimped up, and Gonzales is getting old and not putting up the numbers he normally does. Their D gave up 24 to the Rams today, and I think we can beat that. Special teams seems to be about even, maybe a slight edge to our kicker (Neva Nurvis Sturgis!). Thigpen seems like he's improving and he may even be able to break one past the 50. Mike Wallace showed today he's not the 1-trick-pony that was so well publicized when we signed him. Many though Indy's DBs matched up well with our receivers, that didn't show. I believe Wallace will have another big effect next week against Atlanta. In a nail-biter, Miami comes through on a late GW drive to cinch the win 34-31. Any thoughts?
Ya I was just looking at that, and copied the following: ATLANTA -- Falcons running back Steven Jackson left Sunday's game against the Rams with a first-quarter thigh injury, the first of a long list of injuries for Atlanta. The Falcons also lost linebacker Sean Weatherspoon (foot), defensive end Kroy Biermann (right ankle), fullback Bradie Ewing (shoulder), defensive end Cliff Matthews (neck) and cornerback Asante Samuel (thigh) in the first half. Only Matthews returned in the first half. Ewing, who couldn't put weight on his right leg, left the field on a cart. Ewing, Biermann, Samuel and Jackson -- all starters -- did not return to the sideline for the second half. Jackson apparently was injured when he scored on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Matt Ryan in the first quarter. Jackson was escorted to the locker room during the ensuing kickoff. Rams safety Matt Daniels was carted off the field with his right ankle in a splint in the first quarter and did not return. Samuel missed last week's game at New Orleans with a thigh injury. He aggravated the injury in the first quarter. Rookie Robert Alford replaced Samuel at cornerback.
I think we match up better against the Falcons than the Colts. Ryan isn't as big of a running threat like Luck. Also, I would not underestimate Gonzales. We can hold them under 20 points if we can cover him and our pass rush gets to Ryan.
Jackson doesn't bother me if he was healthy going into this year, def lost a step last year. We need a very loud home crowd.
Will be there for the game. Been waiting a long time for this. Can't wait to see the new Uni's and the new attitude in MIAMI
I'm weary about it...Tony Gonzalez is going to have a big game, obviously (then we have Jimmy Graham a week later!). They are hurting coming into the game. Dolphins haven't started 3-0 since 2002. We'll see what happens. I won't be mad if we lose thanks to back-to-back AFC wins, but the Falcons are banged up. Still...Gonzalez, Julio Jones and Roddy White....yikes. I'll say Falcons-30, Dolphins-20 for now. Though I am more worried about going into the Superdome in Primetime than about this game...just hope we keep that one close. Even teams like the Pats have gotten smoked in the Superdome in Primetime.
I was way more worried about the Colts. This team has a lot players past their prime and a ton of injuries.
We can't. Hold him that is. We can probably put a dent in his production, but we can't stop him. If we keep him under 60 yards and out of the endzone I'm satisfied. I think that's a possibility.
Ya these two teams are my only concerns for the first half of the season. Not worried about Baltimore at all, we should be able to abuse Flacco. And the Patsies, well, I'll NEVER say I'm worried about them PoSs, no matter how good they are. This win today was on turf...which will certainly help a little for the N.O. game, but Brees is a surgeon (who would EVER pass an opportunity to sign that guy?). I can surely understand your outlook, but I don't think there's any way we only score 20 against Atlanta. The Rams even got 24. They let Brees get over 400 yards and only sacked him twice.
"There were plenty of flaws in the Falcons' performance -- hardly any running game, a lack of protection for Ryan, not much pressure on Rams quarterback Sam Bradford -- but they'll take it considering all the players who went down." http://espn.go.com/nfl/recap?gameId=330915001 Sounds like a solid matchup for the good guys.
I don't see how you all think we match up better with Atl than Indy. The receiving core for Atl is probably the best in the NFL.... And these are the teams that seem to always give the Dolphins trouble... Unfortunately I think we lose this one and the one again NO....
What don't you get about lack of protection for Ryan, lack of running game, and no pressure on the opposing QB?
What we CAN'T do is what the Rams did: pass the ball FIFTY FIVE freaking times in the game. We have got to have a better balance of the run and pass than that to win this game.
This will be a really tough game for us...hoping being home makes the difference. I look at the next three games, and think if we win 2 of 3, then playoffs are a real possibility. Even 1 of 3 we are still sitting alright. Ravens is a must win game.
Home opener should give us a huge boost out of the gate. Hopefully anyway. Key will be starting well.
Count me among those more confident vs ATL than Indy. Roddy White is a complete not factor due to his injury. Julio is great, but so is Grimes. Gonzalez is gonna be a problem, but even he's 37 and hasn't done much through 2 games (he has to regress sometime). Their OL hasn't protected Ryan 2 games in a row, and he's not mobile and much easier to bring down than Luck. On the other side of the ball, they have bad run D, no pass rush, and Asante Samuel will be gimpy/out. We should have an actual home field advantage coming off 2 road wins to start the season. I like our chances.
IMO ATL will be the toughest game they face to date. Winnable but a very tough match up. ATL is a better team than the Colts.
We do have another little advantage of playing a dome team used to playing on turf outside in the heat. Even though its 415 heat instead of 1pm heat. We should have an easier time taking down Ryan, Luck is like a truck.
Last year they certainly were...this year they barely beat the Rams, and only scored 17 in a 21-17 loss to the Saints (who are not known for their D, but they look to be improving). I believe they're more explosive than the Colts, but I don't think they're better. If they can't run, can't protect Ryan, and can't get to the other QB...I like our chances. Tanny should be able to light 'em up with good protection. Grimes knows their receivers too...should certainly help.
So starting 4-1 makes playoffs a possibility? Have you seen the rest of the schedule? The 4 game stretch, including today's is the hard part and 2 wins is more than enough for a possibility.
Fair enough. And by no means do I say we shred 'em...but I think we match up well to have a shot at a quality win.
agree for the most part except for the bad run D part for the falcons, they have given up 2.7 per rush in game 1 and 3.8 in week 2
yeah, I predicted we'd go 11 and 5... And I believe I had us starting 2 and 3 (not winning today's game either). Going to be a hot game for Atlanta in their black jerseys and helmets. Edit... it'll probably be cloudy and raining...
With our secondary playing like it is, im scared of no offense. With Tannehil playing like he is, im scared of no defense. With Sherman calling plays like he is, im scared of any down and really short.
If the falcons are healthy they should beat us. But if all those guys listed are out next week we have a damn good shot at winning. Who knows, maybe this is the year where all the breaks go our way