Miami Dolphins (7-4): Gut Check Time - sixzero's Dynasty

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Miami Dolphins (7-4): Gut Check Time

Posted on November 25, 2010 at 07:41 PM.

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Miami Dolphins: Gut Check Time
November 26, 2010

The Dolphins don�t have much going for them these days.

They�re the epitome of mediocrity at 7-4. They�ve lost three games in a row for the 1st time in the franchises history. Their starting left tackle, the best in football, has a nagging shoulder injury. Their top receiver�s status is getting frustrated for being the only producing player in the offense aside from J. Davis (RB).

As if that were not enough, they are fighting for a playoff spot with teams that have superior advantages down the stretch. Two of those teams are the Buffalo Bills and the New England Patriots, who are both have two games up on Miami. Both teams also beat Miami, meaning they would hold any tie-breaker advantage. Essentially, the Fins are three games back.

The two teams are the division foes in the Bills and Patriots, who each have a share of the divisions best record at 7-4. Both have beat Miami in Miami. The Dolphins will travel to New England (week 14) in the heart of winter and must find a way to win one.

It�s clear a ton would have to happen for Miami to make the playoffs this year. There�s no question�barring some bizarre things happening over the season�s final two months� that they would have to win five of the six games remaining.

So you�re saying there�s a chance?

Yes, albeit a slim one, they can still make the playoffs.

The following needs to happen:

1. An identity on offense must be established. They say they�re a running team, yet last week the defense made more of an impact. Which is it? There�s no excuse it�s time to build some sort of consistency on offense.

2. Key players must get healthy, and fast. Jake Long is a tough SOB. But it�s clear he is not 100 percent. Brandon Marshall is banged up, and without him this offense goes from dull to nonexistent�although some might argue it already is. For Tom Brady, he is taking way to many hits at this point of his career.

3. Mental toughness. It�s easy for a team to sit back and say, �You know what? This isn�t our year. There are too many injuries�. However, the strong teams go the route of win at whatever cost. Injuries are a part of the game. Every team has them. It�s about other players stepping up when the opportunity presents itself.

4. Luck. You can say Miami controls their own destiny, but really they don�t. It�s unrealistic to expect this team to win out or even lose one. They are going to need some help. One team among the Bills, Patriots, Broncos, and Raiders is going to have to fall apart because it�s impossible for Miami to make it if those four teams are in the playoffs.

The Dolphins face the Raiders later in the season and both teams are coming off bad losses.

It�s time for this football team to step back, take a look in the mirror, and decide who they want to be. They can either shut down and accept mediocrity or step up and fight.

I�m betting on the latter.

Comments

# 1 D Unit @ Nov 26

Yo Six. I have to say that you R taking this league in another level. I hope that everyone in our league can try there best to invest some time in this sight. I personally, will be getting more involved with this site. As you may already see I have polished up my Arena and will continue to update it as the Madden Years progress. Now as per your season the AFC EAST is running so tight that that there is no room for Error. My belief is that who ever wins that division is going to be a strong contender for this Year Playoffs.