Do you feel comfortable with this team?

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Dorfdad, Nov 27, 2023.

  1. Dorfdad

    Dorfdad Well-Known Member

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    So after 12 week or so here we are sitting with an 8-3 record and 2 solid games above the bills in the AFC East. however I’m still not comfortable with this team.

    Watching teams like KC / Eagles and even Buffalo I’m not sold on us being the AFC champions.

    Some here will take this as me being negative and a hater which I don’t consider to be truthful.

    I love the way certain things are playing out but I’m really feeling we’re becoming more and more 1 dimensional as the year goes on.

    I feel our defense isn’t good enough to win a championship currently. Do we make the playoffs this year? Yeah I think we do but not as a 1 seed.

    I think we host a wildcard game and I don’t want to play Buffalo. I’m worried now with Phillips being out, I’m worried our patchwork offensive line isn’t going to handle playoff caliber defenses. I’m worried if Hill is banged up and we focus on his 2000 yards we are neglecting other aspects of the offense that needs to improve. Worried we need a change of pace RB and ours seems to be injury prone year one!

    I think we’re the 4th best team right now and we don’t have long to tighten things up.

    playoffs matter I don’t care about this regular season winning outside the division title.

    are you all comfortable with the team as it is today going into the playoffs!
     
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  2. Finatik

    Finatik Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    Lots of games still to play. Anything can happen with injuries but over all there isn't much that can be done at this point.

    I saw something that said that the defense only gave up 1 TD this month. Even without him, I'm not that worried about them. In fact I think they just keep getting better and better.

    The offense has enough firepower to put points on the board. It isn't always clicking at times but both sides of the ball look like they are in good shape for a run.

    Note to everyone - with the title of this string if this starts to turn into a Chit Show I'm just going to lock it or delete it.
     
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  3. OwesOwn614

    OwesOwn614 Well-Known Member

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    Defense is fine. It's given up 14 or less in the past four games (not counting the fumble for 6 in Germany). Three teams all season have scored more than 21 points against us and Ramsey's return has brought new energy. Defense is the least of my concerns right now.

    I'm more concerned about the offense although I'm not worried about it. Tua's performance has definitely leveled off of late but thankfully, the running game seems to be making up for it. If Coach calls good games, the offense is good enough to drive against and score on anybody. And I'm confident he'll do that.

    To answer your question, OP: Yeah, I'm fine. No team is perfect and we're not going to be perfect either. But I think we're solid enough on both sides of the ball to be the better team against anybody as long as we're not giving the ball away or lining up on the wrong side of the line of scrimmage.
     
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  4. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    I feel very comfortable with this team since they've beaten every opponent we were supposed to beat. Some may say that we didn't win the "big games", but that's complete crap since we're tied for having the 2nd best record in the league. Every team loses, every year, and there were extenuating circumstances in playing the Chiefs in Germany or playing the Eagles/refs in Philly. The Bills were the only ones that truly whooped us and that was simply one game.

    I'm not making excuses here, mind you, because every team eventually loses. At least we stomped the inferior teams consistently, which is what ultimately gets you to the playoffs. Good teams win the games they're supposed to win.

    Let's get back to beating every team we're supposed to beat...that dial has changed in recent weeks with Ramsey's return and X getting healthier. Achane will turn that dial upwards a little bit as well. The Bills still worry me because it's a division game and they know us just as well as we know them- that will always be a battle. We won't be playing anyone else in Germany or Philly anytime soon either, so those worries are gone.

    We will beat Washington, the Jets, and the Titans. The Cowboys game will be competitive but we will beat them at home as well. Baltimore is a solid team putting together a great year (like us), and going to Baltimore is always scary...why are we playing there three times in a row? It will be competitive though and I think we win it. And if it plays out that way, going 5-0 down the stretch, then we may rest starters for Buffalo since that game won't matter.

    I am very comfortable right now because we're better than KC, we're better than Jax, and we're better than Baltimore. Heck, we're better than Philly on a neutral field. There's not a team in the league that terrifies me- you could say the 49ers, but our coach knows them inside and out. We'll win that game if we have to. My only worries are @Philly or @Baltimore, just because those are two very tough places to play. I think we have a real shot at winning at either city though.
     
  5. Striking

    Striking Junior Member

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    No team in the AFC is perfect. And all are beatable by this current team. We could finish out at 5-1, giving us a chance at #1. With X, Ramsey and Kohou, along with Holland and Jones, we might have the best secondary. That secondary will lead to more coverage sacks, possibly minimizing the loss of Phillips. Other injuries are concerning especially at OL but they keep on performing well with the next guy up. So right now I'm not worried and even without that #1, I can see us in the Superbowl.
     
  6. Rick 1966

    Rick 1966 Professional Hipshooter

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    Comfortable? I don't know. I think this is the best team we've had since 2008, maybe since 2000. I think it's going to win the division and win a home playoff game.
    Will I be satisfied with that? Probably, since it's progress.
    Am I comfortable with them as a SB team? No, I don't think they're at that level. People here will call me negative or some such idiotic crap for that, but that's my judgement. They're a playoff team but they need more experience to be a SB team.
     
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  7. tirty8

    tirty8 Well-Known Member

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    I am not comfortable just because the AFC is stacked. I think there is a very real shot that a team with a Super Bowl caliber roster might miss the playoffs altogether. I think teams like the Bills or Texans are both capable of beating any team on any given Sunday. I do not think both of these teams will make the playoffs.

    Nobody ever feels good playing KC. The Ravens are looking good on both sides of the ball. There is a ton of talent in Jacksonville.
     
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  8. KeyFin

    KeyFin Well-Known Member

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    A Super Bowl team is a playoff team that wins 2 or 3 games. You're expecting us to make the playoffs and win one game, so your just one win away from believing in us as a Super Bowl team. That doesn't feel like too much of a stretch this season.
     
  9. JJ_79

    JJ_79 Well-Known Member

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    If we’re staying relatively healthy, that is. I really like how our D is playing and as much as the JP injury sucks, it could‘ve hit us on worse positions. The O and Tua need to get the turnovers in order and we should be good to go come playoffs.
     
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  10. OwesOwn614

    OwesOwn614 Well-Known Member

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    I'm looking at the other top-tier teams and I'm sure every one of them has a fan base that has similar concerns to ours. Styles make fights and it may come down to who is scheduled to play whom and where those matchups take place. My confidence goes way up if we're playing at home.
     
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  11. MonstBlitz

    MonstBlitz Nobody's Fart Catcher

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    You've gotta define what comfortable means.

    Do I think this is the best team in the league and they're going to win the super bowl this year? Probably not.

    Do I think this team is showing drastic signs of improvement and finally crawling out of a 2 + decades streak of mediocrity? Yes!

    That makes me comfortable with this Dolphins team.

    They have one of best, if not the best head coach in the league, are heading in the right direction and have a puncher's chance right now of making noise in the playoffs. This team finally has a fun to watch offense. A defense that is getting better every week. A QB playing as good as any QB in the league right now who seems to be getting better every year. They are winning all the games that they should and competitive in the rest. What's not to be comfortable with?

    If you're defining what makes you comfortable as a fan as the team has to be the best in the league, that's fine but you're setting yourself up for a letdown. There are 31 other teams in this league trying to be the best and even with all the right pieces in place winning it all isn't easy. As a fan, realistically the best you can hope for is for your favorite team to have a chance. This team has a chance.
     
    Last edited: Nov 27, 2023
  12. Phin McCool

    Phin McCool Well-Known Member

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    This. I think we're a year away from being real contenders but I'm loving watching us week in, week out.
     
  13. djphinfan

    djphinfan Season Ticket Holder Club Member

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    does everyone know that since week 5 we are the #1 rated Defense in the NFL.

    elite against the run

    elite running games

    elite pass rushing

    elite passing game.

    Jason Sanders has found his grrove.

    all thats left to clean up is Tua turning the ball over to consistently.

    and finding a better way to execute our timing based offense when were in a hostile environments.
     
  14. Rick 1966

    Rick 1966 Professional Hipshooter

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    I must have missed it when that happened. Or no, he must have missed it.
     
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  15. bbqpitlover

    bbqpitlover Well-Known Member

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    I will say this, and please no attacking me, I am not comfortable with Tua as the QB. Yes he is having a good year, yes he is staying healthy, but his production has dropped off the last few games. Way too many turn-overs for my taste, but in all respect Tua helped get us where we are today and the defense is really starting to show up. I'm hoping and praying this is our year, I have been waiting way too long to celebrate a Superbowl victory. That's my two cents and that's all about what it is worth.
     
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  16. Dorfdad

    Dorfdad Well-Known Member

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    maybe that’s my concern we are a good team but not one with the killer instinct or that experience winning big games. That will come but I’m hoping it comes before other parts of our team start falling apart! We have a 2 year window IMHO before contracts kill us
     
  17. danmarino

    danmarino Tua is H1M! Club Member

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    Sanders is 9 of 10 at 49 yards and less

    He’s 2 of 3 at 50 +
     
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  18. mlb1399

    mlb1399 Well-Known Member

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    I think we’ve made major strides and have a chance to win a playoff game or two. I still think there’s a clear difference between us and 5-6 of the best teams in the NFL. I just keep wondering what McDaniel could do if he got a good TE in this offense.

    I’m also waiting to see if this defense is capable of playing at a top 10-15 level or if it’s just that we’ve played horrible offenses the last 2 games. It’s fun watching more defensive games or at least games where our defense helps our offense win games. That’s really the difference between contenders and pretenders.
     
  19. FinFaninBuffalo

    FinFaninBuffalo Well-Known Member

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    IMO, we are a healthy OL away from being the best team in the AFC.
     
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  20. Tuanon4Life

    Tuanon4Life Well-Known Member

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    Anything short of a Super Bowl will be a huge letdown. This is our year. Super Bowl or bust. Fins up!
     
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  21. Striking

    Striking Junior Member

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    That and a healthy Achane would put us as the team to beat. We're so close to being there.
     
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  22. Rick 1966

    Rick 1966 Professional Hipshooter

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    I don't agree with that. Just winning a playoff game would be a huge step up, considering we haven't done it in 23 years.
     
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  23. dolphin25

    dolphin25 Well-Known Member

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    I don't think he uses TE's as offensive weapons. The Rams offense is like ours and they have a great TE in Higbee, but they don't use him as a WR much. He is used as a blocking TE most of the time. Would love to have him on this team.
     
  24. Tuanon4Life

    Tuanon4Life Well-Known Member

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    Well we can disagree then. The way I see it this is the final product of a five year rebuild. Ramsey and Fangio was the final piece to put us over the top. I'm not going to settle for anything less than a Super Bowl THIS season. The Bills and Chiefs are both vulnerable. Miami and Tua in particular is healthy. Next year's success isn't guaranteed. Tua and Wilkins both need to get paid this off season. The window is small and we need to go all the way now. This is a team with the best offense in the entire league and a top five defense and relatively healthy on both sides of the ball. There's no reason we shouldn't be there in February.
     
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  25. Finatik

    Finatik Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    I agree with the usage and this offense prioritizing the blocking but having someone that is a high end blocker, can run good routes, find open spots AND has good hands would be great. Just those things.
     
  26. dolphin25

    dolphin25 Well-Known Member

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    Maybe the question should be "Do you think the Dolphins will win the Super Bowl this year?"

    I'm comfortable with the team. Do I think they will win SB? They could
     
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  27. dolphin25

    dolphin25 Well-Known Member

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    Agree it would be great, but just not convinced they would be used as a receiver. It has always puzzled me why the Rams have not used him more as a real weapon. Perhaps it is really on the QB and their decisions on who to throw to. It seems some QB's love the TE and some do not.
     
  28. OwesOwn614

    OwesOwn614 Well-Known Member

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    Saw this on espn.com in an article about where teams rank in the three phases of the game:
    6. Miami Dolphins (8-3)
    Week 12 ranking: 7[​IMG]

    Offense: 3
    Defense: 11
    Special teams: 25


    Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and Raheem Mostert, you'd expect the Dolphins' offensive ranking -- but their defensive ranking is a testament to how well they've played over the last month. Since the return of Jalen Ramsey in Week 8, Miami has forced nine turnovers and recorded 14 sacks, although the season-ending Achilles injury to Jaelan Phillips could impact the pass rush moving forward. Kicker Jason Sanders has been accurate within 49 yards but has struggled over the past three seasons from distance. Since 2021, Sanders has connected on just 6 of 16 kicks from 50 or more yards out; he has hit on consecutive such attempts over the past two weeks, however, so his struggles may be behind him. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques
     
  29. OwesOwn614

    OwesOwn614 Well-Known Member

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  30. ExplosionsInDaSky

    ExplosionsInDaSky Well-Known Member

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    It's been a great season so far, I think we'll make the playoffs, hopefully we stay healthy. If I'm being honest, I don't think this is our year, but... Anything can happen.
     
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  31. TheHighExhaulted

    TheHighExhaulted Well-Known Member

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    Tyreek certainly feels comfortable.
     
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  32. OwesOwn614

    OwesOwn614 Well-Known Member

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  33. Tuanon4Life

    Tuanon4Life Well-Known Member

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    Super Bowl is a very realistic goal this season. I've felt this since the day they traded for Ramsey
     
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  34. Dorfdad

    Dorfdad Well-Known Member

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    Tyrek is lying. This team isn’t better than KC was or currently is. Live the positivity but we just are not yet…
     
  35. Tuanon4Life

    Tuanon4Life Well-Known Member

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    Before the season started Tyreek predicted he would get to 2000 yards and added "oh yea we're winning a championship". I think he honestly believes the team is that good. He may end up being wrong but he's not lying.
     
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  36. Finatik

    Finatik Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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  37. Dorfdad

    Dorfdad Well-Known Member

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    When I say lying it's meant to be like wishful thinking. Im not saying he doesn't believe it but he's spouting what we all want to hear. Im glad he feels that way but no way is this team better at this time than those KC Super Bowl Teams.
     
  38. Finatik

    Finatik Season Ticket Holder Staff Member Club Member

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    But he played on them. Don't you think he would know better than say you or me?
     
  39. OwesOwn614

    OwesOwn614 Well-Known Member

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    People said he lied about Tua's accuracy too. Some if them laughed at him for saying it. Turns out, he was telling the truth.
     
    Last edited: Nov 28, 2023
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  40. OwesOwn614

    OwesOwn614 Well-Known Member

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    *Ahem!*
    BTW: Chiefs were 8-3 at this point but went on a 5-0 run to end the season.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2023
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