Why not us??

Why not us? Because our defense isn't good enough yet.

I think our defense is plenty good enough. Our only weak spot is at linebacker because we are starting two guys that are basically rookies. They will improve greatly around mid year like most rookies do. The secondary is leading the league in interceptions and the dline has been playing well. Just because were giving up yardage does not equate to them being a bad defense, total points is what matters and on that we are 6th best in the NFL.

"dolfan40 wrote:

After all those years of being medicore, it looks like we are finally getting to the pormise land. Tannehill will get even better as he comes back from injury and our defense looks good right now! I don't see why we can not be like the seahawks in their superbowl run, now is the time to start a Dynasty to show who we really are, a proud franchise and the only perfect season, it's fun to be only 24 years old to witness many years to come..i follow the team since 08 and this is the best team i witnessed.

Lets go from Germany

This team finally looks like it is turning a corner, but they have to beat New England in Foxborough this week. They have to do it NOW. It won't be an easy task because for different reasons this is a must win game for both teams. New England cant afford to go 1-3 with us at 4-0 and a tie breaker in the division.

"Rick 1966 wrote:

Why not us? Because our defense isn't good enough yet.

You have to be kidding, right? Our defense is the best in the league in the areas that matter the most- turnovers and points scored.

Slow your roll! Enjoy the 3-0 start but don’t get yourself excited for a potential collapse. When we’re 9-2 start getting excited

I think everyone is putting way too much importance on this upcoming game with the Pats. This board is going to be in full implosion mode if the Fins don't win.

"KeyFin wrote:

You have to be kidding, right? Our defense is the best in the league in the areas that matter the most- turnovers and points scored.

Those are of very dubious sustainability though, and will likely regress some. That's not to say we will become bad, but we are likely riding a bit higher now than we will end up.

The game is trending toward high powered, fast scoring passing offenses with lots of playmakers. We have that. If Tannehill can keep the ball secure, and our playmakers can continue to make plays and put up points, we can survive a defensive regression fairly well.

"KeyFin wrote:

You have to be kidding, right? Our defense is the best in the league in the areas that matter the most- turnovers and points scored.

We're three games in. Get back to me about 8 games in and we'll see if those numbers hold up. I don't think they will. IMHO our defense isn't good enough yet. We need a couple more players.

"Rick 1966 wrote:

We're three games in. Get back to me about 8 games in and we'll see if those numbers hold up. I don't think they will. IMHO our defense isn't good enough yet. We need a couple more players.

I think you're missing the obvious point- every team is 3 games in and so far, we've been better than 31 others. What will five more weeks prove? That we hadn't messed up enough to show our true colors? Or that they had a few bad games so the first 3 don't count? It makes no sense and it's a very negative way to look at things.

Today, our defense is excellent. Maybe that changes but it's silly to mentally penalize them for what hasn't happened yet.

"dolfan40 wrote:

After all those years of being medicore, it looks like we are finally getting to the pormise land. Tannehill will get even better as he comes back from injury and our defense looks good right now! I don't see why we can not be like the seahawks in their superbowl run, now is the time to start a Dynasty to show who we really are, a proud franchise and the only perfect season, it's fun to be only 24 years old to witness many years to come..i follow the team since 08 and this is the best team i witnessed.

Lets go from Germany

No reason not to win this game if the team starts off hot. I do not like they have been sluggish on offense and playing form behind isn't an option in this game. NE def has played poorly and they have no reason to get better. Hit brady cover gronk and the screen and things happen imo.

"jerry graham wrote:

No reason not to win this game if the team starts off hot. I do not like they have been sluggish on offense and playing form behind isn't an option in this game. NE def has played poorly and they have no reason to get better. Hit brady cover gronk and the screen and things happen imo.

New England looked SLOW as a team against the Lions. In theory, our offense is built to just wreck them - see the kind of gamplan the Eagles dialed up in the Super Bowl. Playmakers and speed just running wild.

Our defense is a question - specifically the passrush after losing our depth and with Wake maybe slow. If they can pressure Brady, and we blanket Gronk, we win that side of the game handily.

The Lions are NOT a good team. Stafford is basically establish Tannehill. We have similar but faster receivers, as good or better OL, and better RBs. This is the kind of game to unleash Drake, or get Ballage involved.

"KeyFin wrote:

I think you're missing the obvious point- every team is 3 games in and so far, we've been better than 31 others. What will five more weeks prove? That we hadn't messed up enough to show our true colors? Or that they had a few bad games so the first 3 don't count? It makes no sense and it's a very negative way to look at things.

Today, our defense is excellent. Maybe that changes but it's silly to mentally penalize them for what hasn't happened yet.

I saw a quote by some famous coach that said something to the effect "after 4 games some teams aren't as good as the appear and some teams aren't as bad as they appear". I think that is why you take 8 games to see. And that's why I'm not putting EVERYTHING on winning this weeks game. A division rival, on the road against a historically very good team at home makes for a very competitive situation.

"texanphinatic wrote:

New England looked SLOW as a team against the Lions. In theory, our offense is built to just wreck them - see the kind of gamplan the Eagles dialed up in the Super Bowl. Playmakers and speed just running wild.

Our defense is a question - specifically the passrush after losing our depth and with Wake maybe slow. If they can pressure Brady, and we blanket Gronk, we win that side of the game handily.

The Lions are NOT a good team. Stafford is basically establish Tannehill. We have similar but faster receivers, as good or better OL, and better RBs. This is the kind of game to unleash Drake, or get Ballage involved.

I agree on most of that but I think since Drake had such a big game last time against them NE will be looking to shut down the running game. Whether they can depends on how well our o line opens holes.

"Finatik wrote:

I saw a quote by some famous coach that said something to the effect "after 4 games some teams aren't as good as the appear and some teams aren't as bad as they appear". I think that is why you take 8 games to see. And that's why I'm not putting EVERYTHING on winning this weeks game. A division rival, on the road against a historically very good team at home makes for a very competitive situation.

Take everything out of it with the exception that it is an all important divisional game and if we win we are up a full 3 games and effectively 4 because of tie breakers and that is why this game is so darn big for both teams at only week 4.

You have to feel like ya did 2 yrs ago about this team. They have found a way to make big plays. The def actually takes the ball away. I like that allot. Yes its still early, but remember this team won 6 games last yr with a crap qb and malcontents. We are half way there already. Losing Sitton hurt allot but they are adjusting to that. Micah, Baker, And Mcmillian were drafted to stop this offense right here. Howard is playing out his mind. This all being said the offense has to set the tone in this game. Their defense isn't good and if they cant exploit that could be a long game.

On a related note, I just saw that EVERY "Expert" on ESPN picked the Pats this week. Every single one.
These clowns just don't learn.

Ya gotta win up there to get respect. That should be the message. This team has to play 60 mins and step on em. Do that and wait and see what espn says. They will turn on the pats like rabid dogs.

"Finatik wrote:

I saw a quote by some famous coach that said something to the effect "after 4 games some teams aren't as good as the appear and some teams aren't as bad as they appear". I think that is why you take 8 games to see. And that's why I'm not putting EVERYTHING on winning this weeks game. A division rival, on the road against a historically very good team at home makes for a very competitive situation.

I agree with you and the other posts- Howard and Jones will obviously not bat down every pass this season and create multiple turnovers per game. It would be great but that's just not reality- our worst defensive game has yet to come. Using your same quote though, it also says that we haven't seen the best from our offense either.

So far, the D has absolutely carried us this year. I don't think that will be the case in all 16 games though.

Or we could be as good as the record indicates. This week goes a long way to more street cred if we win. If we lose it will be "same old Dolphins" even if that isn't necessarily true.

"KeyFin wrote:

I think you're missing the obvious point- every team is 3 games in and so far, we've been better than 31 others. What will five more weeks prove? That we hadn't messed up enough to show our true colors? Or that they had a few bad games so the first 3 don't count? It makes no sense and it's a very negative way to look at things.

Today, our defense is excellent. Maybe that changes but it's silly to mentally penalize them for what hasn't happened yet.

No one is penalizing them, just analyzing them. If you disagree, feel free, but you're not going to argue me into changing what I see.

"Dorfdad wrote:

Slow your roll! Enjoy the 3-0 start but don’t get yourself excited for a potential collapse. When we’re 9-2 start getting excited

this is what i been saying, who cares about stats and stuff wait until the ride bucks you off then start saying when how why and where enjoy the 3-0 and being 2 games ahead of everyone in the afc east. Start complaining if we go 3-3 but at 3-0 nothing to complain about we have not won anything in 30 years ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"KeyFin wrote:

I think you're missing the obvious point- every team is 3 games in and so far, we've been better than 31 others. What will five more weeks prove? That we hadn't messed up enough to show our true colors? Or that they had a few bad games so the first 3 don't count? It makes no sense and it's a very negative way to look at things.

Today, our defense is excellent. Maybe that changes but it's silly to mentally penalize them for what hasn't happened yet.

A++++

"bigballa2102 wrote:

this is what i been saying, who cares about stats and stuff wait until the ride bucks you off then start saying when how why and where enjoy the 3-0 and being 2 games ahead of everyone in the afc east. Start complaining if we go 3-3 but at 3-0 nothing to complain about we have not won anything in 30 years ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I look at it this way- the Pats in NE "is supposed to be" the toughest game of the season on our schedule. Yes, Cinci and the Bears are no slouches. Green Bay is always dangerous. The Jets and Bills are always a slug-fest. But this one game is the one we always circle on our calendars as the one that is almost impossible to win. So if we do win this week, hopefully the narrative changes that we still have a ton to prove or that it's just been blind luck so far.

"Tin Indian wrote:

On a related note, I just saw that EVERY "Expert" on ESPN picked the Pats this week. Every single one.
These clowns just don't learn.

It’s hard to vote against history. a very talented well coached team up against the ropes at home versus a divisional rival and with a history of not losing 3 games in a row in over 15 years. Hard to ignore the facts.

Can we win sure? But the odds are not in our favor. I’d take a closer look at Vegas line than any reporter IMHO if I was guessing a win / loss.