Don't Dwell on this Game, Miami

Monday, December 8, 2003
Robert Henderson
MDBW Staff Writer

Well, so much for a home playoff game, a 7-game winning streak going into the playoffs, and a win at New England. The one thing I didn't list amongst those is a December collapse. Miami can still finish this December 3-1, and make the playoffs (counting on a Denver loss or tie). The Dolphins lost to a very good Patriots team yesterday, and should not hang their heads on it. In order for them to finish this season strong, they cannot dwell on this loss.

Although they got shut out, the defense shut them out too. Yes, that field goal in the first half was bogus, it was definitely not good, and the other 9 New England points were scored by their defense. Miami's defense played just as well as New England's, but they did not score the points - which you cannot rely on your defense to do.

The offense, on the other hand, was absolutely abysmal. It looked like Brian Griese was playing. Fiedler had an awful game, fumbling twice and throwing two interceptions, it was just not his day.

Aside from the turnovers, Fiedler missed some clutch throws as well. Notably were an open Chris Chambers in the endzone, Chris Chambers down the left sideline (he overthrew the pass), and Chris Chambers on a third and short play in the left flat when he threw it over his head.

Can we, as fans, blame this on the cold? No! The Miami Dolphins are a professional football team and should be able to play in any type of weather conditions. New England beat Miami in the heat when the Dolphins are supposedly unbeatable. Good teams get it done when they have to. New England did, Miami didn't.

Hopefully, Miami will have a second chance in the playoffs to get it done, but its fate is not in its own hands now. The Broncos, if the season ended today, would be the 6th and final wildcard team after their (or should I say Clinton Portis's) explosive 45-27 win over the Chiefs yesterday. (On a side note: see what happens when the Chiefs play a real team?)

I have decided to put this loss behind me immediately, or it will ruin my week, as it usually does. If the Dolphins are going to beat the Eagles next week, they will have to do the same thing.

Miami has three games left, and two of them are at home (not to mention the only away game is in cold Buffalo). The toughest of these three games is their game coming up on Monday night against the Eagles. Philadelphia has had a substantial winning streak, like New England, and they are getting it done when they have to. However, they play in the NFC, and in my opinion, and most others', the elite NFC teams do not match up with the top AFC teams this season. Miami has them at home on a Monday night (when they always seem to play well), and should win that game.

Beating the Bills and Jets should be a breeze, but even that is not certain.

If Miami can put this heart-breaking loss to the Patriots behind them, and have the same amount of confidence that they had for those five quarters, they should win their last three games, and the Broncos game at Indianapolis is Indianapolis's second chance at helping the Dolphins out. Go Dolphins! Go Colts!

Robert Henderson can be reached by e-mailing webmaster@miamidolphinsbahamas.com. Or you can talk about this story and more on the MDBW Forums message board!