That question was answered forcefully when the Bills came to town. The defense stiffened the way we expected it to be, the running game featuring Achane was dazzling, and Tua was excellent even with two INTs. Of equal importance was the enhanced energy shown by the entire team despite a terribly flawed referee group; and we should also give credit where due, to the Florida sun. The Bills looked exhausted by the start of the fourth quarter.
Little did we expect that this excitement would be so short-lived.
Had I purchased a ticket to fly to Madrid for the first NFL game played in Spain, I would be questioning my decision-making abilities. The game was poorly played by both contestants, and boring. The two exciting moments were when the Dolphins inexplicably tried to run for a touchdown when a field goal would have put them in front of the Commodores towards the end of the game, and the other was when Dolphins defensive back Jack Jones intercepted Mariota to permit the Dolphins to kick a field goal and win the game. This should have been McDaniel’s last game had there been no interception.
Both Dolphins lines were sub-par, with the defensive line getting pushed around by the defensive line of the Commodores and the offensive line not being able to open running lanes up the middle. Luckily the Dolphins have Achane who at times made his own holes and was also able to run his patented sweeps to the outside.
What entertainment value there was to the game was destroyed by the refs calling too many penalties, several questionable, and the commentators yakking as though we were watching the pre- or post-game coverage of the event.
McDaniel may have saved his job with the ultimate victory, but he did nothing to polish his tarnishing image. Nor did his image improve when the Saints came marching in.
In the first half of that game, untimely penalties and blatantly poor play calls resulted in what might generously be called a sloppy start. Tua also did nothing for his future by throwing inaccurate balls and running sloppy plays. The lone bright spot was the defense, which played a solid half which unfortunately would not carry over into the second half. The Saints offense ran and passed well against it and the Dolphin offense appeared confused with questionable play selections and the appearance of being more fearful of losing than of driving for a win.
All in all, the Saints victory was a sloppy game on both sides, yet it ended on an exciting note with the onside kick and ultimate victory for the Fins. The remaining games in the regular season may well dictate whether McDaniel remains the Head Coach for another season.
Photo Courtesy Of The Miami Dolphins