DOLPHINS WIN ANOTHER NAIL BITER

Miami escaped with a win in another close game beating Oakland 17-15.  Dan Carpenter’s field goal with 38 seconds lifted the Dolphins to there fourth consecutive win and set up a showdown with New England next Sunday at home.

The one thing that stands out again about Miami this week is there special teams play.  I keep saying this time and time again that they need to improve a ton in this area.  The same thing happened on Sunday as they gave up a 93 yard punt return which is why they are ranked second worst in the NFL, along with a couple of other big returns.  This has to change if the Dolphins hope to contend for a playoff spot.  Anytime you shorten the field for the opposing teams offense this is surely not a good thing.  Luckily for Miami when they have given up big returns the opposing teams offense has not been any good and they still managed to come out okay.  If this happens next week against a good Patriots offense, they won’t be in the game for long. 

On a positive note Miami continued to run the ball well with Ronnie Brown run for 101 yards and Ricky Williams adding 49 yards.  The wild cat offense still doing its job with Tedd Gin Jr. running for a 40 yards touchdown.  Ginn also made a key fourth down catch on the game winning drive.  Chad Pennington was his usual consistent self with a high completion percentage and did not make any game changing mistakes.

The Defense once again was solid and don’t get enough credit.  They step up when needed, sacked JaMarcus Russell five times and held the Raiders to 70 yards rushing.  They didn’t give up any touchdowns to the Raiders, always holding them to a field goal.  This alone is a huge key to winning games. 

Miami trails the New York Jets by one game still, so next weeks match up against the Patriots is a huge one.  You know New England will want to avenge the embarassment Maimi gave them in Foxboro 38-13.  The Pats will want to return that favour and put it to the Dolphins on there home turf .  This is one game I can’t wait to watch.

Chris

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