Let me preface this by saying that the power rankings mean absolutely nothing in terms of football- they're popularity contests among journalists. Yet I still pay attention to them every year to see how much love/hate Miami is getting on the national stage. This week, we're all over the map between 10 and 20. NFL.com has us 16th, ESPN has us 17th, Sports Illustrated has us 11th, Yahoo has us 16th, and CBS has us 13th. I'm not sharing the comments since they all basically say, "Tua started his 1st game and a dominant defense carried him." The focus was almost 100% Tua though and what he didn't do, so they're still going negative instead of focusing on the things we're doing amazing. I'll update this weekly though just to help everyone get a pulse of opinions around the league, and in the future I'll share relevant commentary as well. Also, Football Outsiders has us at a 37.6% chance of making the playoffs, and that's up 19.8% from last week. It predicts our mean wins at 8.2 for the year.
That's fairly accurate IMO. We should be between 10 and 20, with 15-20 very realistic, given that we're right outside the last playoff spot. It's also accurate to say Tua started his 1st game and a dominant defense carried him. So no issues with this.
One more dominant game defensively and I'll believe the unit truly is that good. Having a top defense should put you in the top 15 or so alone, so if the offense gets going with Tua we could be scary.
I was just gonna create a post on this. ESPN has us at 17 with SF and LAR ahead of this. How can you blow out both teams and say they are ahead of Miami!?!? Just goes to show how subjective and stupid some of these rankings are.
They have their favorites and it shows, plus they don't want to appear wrong about their preseason assessments. It took a 4th straight loss for the Patriots to fall out of the top 20 which is par for the course even though there is a smoldering dumpster fire getting ready to ignite. I saw Cowherd had us at #10 in his whatever he calls his top 10 list, raving about our defense. Interestingly enough the Bills didn't even make his list. Peter King had us at 10 as well. Too me both of those are about 4 spots too high but when Tua starts putting it together, settles into a groove and the offense starts to click, I'd say they are just about right.
Yes, in some of the individual polls and lesser followed sites, I saw us as high as #8...I almost listed Peter King since that's where I got the #10 from.
completely agree. I just think it discredits anything they say when two teams rated ahead of us we beat 71-34. Either way, it’s like a popularity contest which doesn’t mean Jack s*** unless you go home with the prom queen. In this case, making the playoffs.
SF I can see because they were missing a lot of pieces and Jimmy obviously wasnt healthy at QB. The Rams though got destroyed.
Normally I’d agree but they’re ranking them ahead of us with all those pieces missing. Not to mention we curb stomped them which means something in the NFL. Either way, let our play speak for itself and it will take care of everything.
At the start of the season Peter King picked the Phins to win the division as did several others. I read an article in Yahoo sports that called Miami the best team in the AFC East. Josh Allen is faltering while we are on the upswing. It's all up to Tua and Chan Gailey.
I really hope the GM is telling the truth about Gase being the future of the franchise. Sheesh he is terrible.
In a way Gase IS the future because the jest will have the #1 pick and a new QB. After that, Gase's future will be selling hot dogs in the stands.
ESPN has us at 19, behind the New England Patriots at 18 who have lost 4 in a row. CBS and NBC has us at 17, behind the 49ers at 16 and the Rams at 10...both team got their asses handed to them by us SB Nation has us ranked at 17, again behind the 49ers at 13 and the Rams at 9 for the same reasons above. That's ok. I always like it when the Dolphins are disrespected. The more they're disrespected, the better the Dolphins play.
On some Jets forums I read to lick their salty tears of desperation there is an idea they are keeping Gase on to ensure the #1 pick
Updated ESPN rankings: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...10-1-32-poll-plus-new-expectations-every-team I still get a kick out of having 2 NFCW teams rated ahead of us that we beat head to head. Just keep winning.
I've avoided this thread because I think rankings are an utter waste of time. That said, I saw this and thought I'd share it here, Cowherd has us at 9 this week: Also, this was the PRE-SEASON QB ranking from Chris Simms: He'll be issuing a new version of this shortly. That image comes from this video where he discusses it here:
I completely agree that they mean nothing, but it's also fun to watch the national media "turn" on us once they realize we have something pretty special in the works. I started this more for the pulse of thoughts around the league than anything.
Cowherd? The same guy who last week got 1 of 5 picks right? And the 4 he got sooooo wrong, he was ADAMANT in his reasoning for picking them? Especially picking against us? His opinion means less than zero to me.
Anyone just happen to see the NFL power rankings on NFL.COM? They have the Dolphins ranked at 11...behind the Rams at 10 and the Cardinals at 9. Is it me or didn't we BEAT both of those teams?
Look at it this way. If we win the Super Bowl that means we'll have played 11 more games. Throw in one loss to KC along the way and we can climb those power rankings one ranking at a time until we're #1 at the end.
We are still trying to prove consistency. We are winning with a suspect receiving Corp and a suspect rb stable and a rookie qb coming off of a massive injury. I think they got it right. Even if we win the next 3 games does not prove we are a top 10 team. Beat the raiders patriots and bills yes we deserve a top ten bid. #11 may even be a little generous but they spend way more time analyzing this than I do.
I LOVE reading positive Dolphins articles in the national media. Slowly climbing in the rankings but somehow it still feels underrated. Tua looks great but still slightly packaged, like there is more than meets the eye. I cannot wait to see him in the playoffs.
PFT have us at....5! " 1. Steelers (last week No. 1; 9-0): Many would say the Chiefs are “the better team.” Hopefully, the Chiefs will get a chance to try to prove it in January. 2. Chiefs (No. 2; 8-1): The fact that the Chiefs already have lost to the Raiders once this year makes it far less likely it will happen again. 3. Saints (No. 3; 7-2): It won’t be easy to hold this spot without Drew Brees. 4. Packers (No. 8; 7-2): Imagine barely beating the Jaguars and still climbing into the top five. 5. Dolphins (No. 9; 6-3): They may be the best team in the AFC East. They eventually could be the best team in the AFC. 6. Cardinals (No. 11; 6-3): They may be the best team in the NFC West. They eventually could be the best team in the NFC. 7. Ravens (No. 4; 6-3): Forget about matching 14-2; currently, they need to be concerned about possibly missing the playoffs. 8. Bills (No. 6; 7-3): They need to set this one aside quickly, or one loss will become two. 9. Buccaneers (No. 10; 7-3): We’ll soon find out whether they’re finally ready for prime time. 10. Rams (No. 13; 6-3): The 2018 “it” team has been overlooked for most of the season. Not anymore. 11. Colts (No. 12; 6-3): The up-and-down Colts picked the perfect time to flip the switch. 12. Seahawks (No. 7; 6-3): Russ has burned a couple of perfectly good meals. 13. Titans (No. 5; 6-3): They actually were better when they were distracted by COVID issues. 14. Raiders (No. 14; 6-3): Ground and pound doesn’t really match the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas. 15. Browns (No. 15; 6-3): They should finish 10-6, like 2007. Will that keep them out of the playoffs, like 2007? 16. Vikings (No. 18; 4-5): With the running game not what it’s been, the defense and the passing game surprisingly stepped up. 17. Patriots (No. 23; 4-5): The Terminator isn’t dead until it’s been dismantled, melted down, and turned into a line of wristwatches. 18. Bears (No. 16, 5-5): Bill Walsh could be calling the plays for this offense and it wouldn’t matter. 19. Bengals (No. 19; 2-6-1): It was baptism by blast furnace for Joe Burrow. 20. Falcons (No. 20; 3-6): Suddenly, two of the next three games (against the Saints) aren’t as daunting. 21. Broncos (No. 21; 3-6): At what point does the scrutiny move from coach and quarterback to General Manager? 22. 49ers (No. 22; 4-6): Next year could be special. This year definitely won’t be. 23. Panthers (No. 24; 3-7): Next year could be above average. This year definitely won’t be. 24. Giants (No. 25; 3-6): This year could still be interesting. 25. Eagles (No. 17; 3-5-1): They had two weeks to get ready for the Giants and they did that? 26. Lions (No. 27; 4-5): Does winning the game make up for blowing the 24-point lead? 27. Washington (No. 26; 2-7): At least they have nice uniforms. 28. Texans (No. 28; 2-7): Be careful what you wish for, Jack Easterby. 29. Chargers (No. 29; 2-7): They have the best quarterback in L.A., but it doesn’t matter. 30. Cowboys (No. 30; 2-7): Andy Dalton returns. Will it matter? 31. Jaguars (No. 31; 1-8): They’re good for 1-8. They’re still 1-8. 32. Jets (No. 32; 0-9): Joe Flacco must really love football."
Why is everybody assuming that we're going to roll over for the Chiefs? Sure they're good but, so are we. We already crushed the other SB team, on the road and, we'll be playing the Chiefs AT HOME, with an attitude. We're the Darlings of the NFL.
Yeah I saw that. I think 5 is way too high at this point. But it is something to see someone put us that high. Of course ESPN has us at like 14 or something and that is absurdly low. Somewhere in the middle is about right. 9.
ESPN- 13th. The Dolphins attempted a temporary fix at running back with Howard and Matt Breida instead of taking multiple chances to add a long-term running back in the 2020 draft. Taking Clyde Edwards-Helaire or D'Andre Swift late in Round 1 or Jonathan Taylor, J.K. Dobbins or Antonio Gibson in Round 2 with one of their five selections in those rounds seemed like a better move. Howard, inked to a two-year, $9.75 million deal in March and waived Monday, had 28 carries for 33 yards and was a healthy scratch for four games. The good news is Miami gets another crack at correcting this in the 2021 draft. -- Cameron Wolfe My comment- screw them for going 100% negative. Worst ranking placement I saw for the team this week of all major publications. Does the RB we cut in any way describe the team we are today? Does the criticism of the coach/front office not drafting a RB ring true for what this team is doing now? LOL, this is why I generally don't read the rankings from national "experts". NFL.com; Rank 11. We've reached the point where the Dolphins are getting a huge impact play on defense or special teams every week. Is that sustainable? Probably not! But hey, sports are weird sometimes, and the Dolphins -- along with a fanbase starving for relevancy -- should just enjoy this magic carpet ride as long as it lasts. Miami got a blocked punt to set up an early touchdown on Sunday, and Tua Tagovailoa delivered another efficient performance in a 29-21 win over the Chargers. The Dolphins have run their winning streak to five games -- 3-0 with Tua under center -- and are tied in the loss column with the Bills in the AFC East with seven games to play. Brian Flores is the leader in any Coach of the Year discussion, and I won't hear any other argument! My comment- Fair review, but slanted it as a mirage. I don't necessarily agree with that part but at least it's honest and on point. Good job NFL.com! SB Nation- #9, (no commentary) CBS- Ranked #9. This is a legitimate playoff team. They continue to improve and the defense is getting nasty. Brian Flores has this team playing hard. My comment- Unbiased and fair- I agree. NBC #11. Tua Tagovailoa looked across the sideline Sunday and had to be thanking his lucky stars he was drafted by Brian Flores and not Anthony Lynn. Tough break for Justin Herbert. T My comment- LMAO! Way to use our review to make things personal about another team, coach and victim quarterback! The Sporting News- #7. The Dolphins improved to 3-0 with Tua Tagovailoa but it's really about what they keep doing to improve defensively and with the running game at the same time their inspired rookie quarterback is out there leading. Put Brian Flores on the coach of the year short list. My comment- Fair review that doesn't blow too much smoke. Sports Illustrated- 12. Arrow’s point way up here—and Tua Tagovailoa’s growing before our eyes while showing all the instincts, feel and accuracy he did as an Alabama icon. My comment- Among the worst ranking of the week and this says nothing about why we've been winning....typical bad journalism. NY Post- #7. With Tagovailoa moving to 3-0 since seamlessly replacing veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Dolphins have won five straight games overall for their best record after nine games since 2001. Brian Flores’ team also already has exceeded last season’s win total (5-11), and Buffalo’s loss Sunday keeps Miami in play for its first AFC East title since 2008. Next: Sunday at Denver My comment- Another fluff statement that you can research in about 20 seconds; I'd bet the NY Post hasn't even seen one of our highlight reels. But they did show the love at #7. USA Today- #7. DE Emmanuel Ogbah has been quite the pick-up, posting a career-best eight sacks and first six-game sack streak for this franchise since Jason Taylor did it 17 years ago. My comment- Great stat, but doesn't speak much on the team. CBS Sports QB RANKING- Tua #17. The Dolphins have yet to need Tua to play hero for a full game, but boy has he looked comfortable. Miami has been rolling, and it's a good bet his pocket poise will be showcased even more as this club continues to pick up steam. My comment- Very fair analysis. They have Burrow at 16 and Herbert at 12. We'll see how that shakes out at the end of the year. Football Outsiders Playoff Odds- Predicted 9.9 mean wins 29.5% chance of winning division 36.9% chance of taking any wildcard slot 66.4% overall chance of making playoffs (+10.2% change from last week)
In my opinion, the Chiefs are a hair better than the Cardinals....and so are we. I've predicted that we lose to KC when figuring out overall wins/losses for the year to have the most possible unbiased guess; I predicted a loss at the Cardinals as well. Of course I hoped we'd beat Arizona and I think we have a good chance against KC- we all do. But if we look at the schedule and say, "Well, these last 7 games all seem like wins to me!" then we're not being realistic....someone will very likely beat us at some point. I just love that in 2020 we're at the point where we can even dream about winning the last seven games....after winning the previous five (or the previous 6 of 7). It's simply insane how far we've come so darn fast and I'm loving the ride! One important trend this season though if we look past our first three games (which in essence were our preseason games to get this team ready to play together)- In games we're heavily favored, it SHOULD be a blowout from the very start. In tossup games (less than 4 point spreads), we SHOULD win convincingly. In games we're underdogs, we SHOULD compete all the way up to the final drive.
We did but A) Its just a random ranking by talking heads. B) If we played those games ten times it would most likely be a 50/50 split. If you're analyzing both teams you probably have more faith in Murray at QB than a rookie in the case of the Cards. We ate the Rams alive but also they played us tough with their defense. I have more issue with them than Arizona.
I'm not really a Cowherd guy, but I like some of the things that he was pointing out - how we always play hard, how we have lots of different ways to score, how we really use special teams, etc. Those are hallmarks of good coaching and, although I hate the term, emblematic of the "Patriot Way". How many games did the Pats win because of big defensive plays? How often did they have a big special team advantage? I like where we are right now, but we need to take care of business against some of these inferior teams. We handled the Jags, Jests, Chargers and 49ers. Take care of business against the Broncos, Jests again and Bengals and that will have us in a very good spot. Would be great to take one each from NE and Buffalo.