Game Thread: Miami Dolphins Week 3 Game Thread vs Oakland Raiders

[Paolo305613]

Much like I said at the end of last weeks game - good win but STILL so much to correct for this team.

Ball security needs to be worked on.

Pass blocking needs to drastically improve

Sticking with the run especially at the start of the second half by Gase - as well, he needs to mix in the other RBs - not just getting Albert Wilson some carries -- the rest of our actual RBs need to get in the mix as well.

We need to get our TEs involved earlier and often

The defense needs to continue working on tackling - they need to work on being able to get stops without depending on turnovers

Accuracy on special teams

 

[FanofPelicans]

A few observations from game two:

This is a team that is playing well together. They appear to be well coached.
It is good to see Tannehill using his mobility to make plays at the right time but most importantly against the right coverages.
Alonso reminded everyone why the coaches believe in him so much. He made a lot of plays & plays physical.
Quinn is a complete DE. He has a reputation of being a pass rusher but he plays the run well too.
McDonald outsmarted the rookie QB & got the INT.
Drake & Gore both played very well. Gore sealed the victory on the 3rd and 19 play. He made a great catch & got the needed yardage.
Overall the Fins Oline played well. Larsen really stepped up with Sitton out.
The Fins DTs are showing that it isn't all about Suh. They can make plays too. The coaches are rotating them well & its's paying off.
The Fins secondary is playing excellent.
The Fins defense is one of the best in the AFC so far.
Amendola plays with toughness. He took a big hit & held on to the ball.
Wilson is probably a coaches delight because he is so versatile.
Grant & Derby also made plays.
THill is spreading the ball around well. The Fins are less predictable this year and he is throwing for a high percentage. The offense is well balanced & that's a good thing going forward.

 

[FanofPelicans]

The previous post was meant for the thread for the Jets game.

The Fins vs Raiders:
The Raiders have been a better passing team than a running team. The Fins are playing both well but will need to be ready for Cooper & Cook. Those two guys are who Carr looks for the most.
On defense so far the Raiders have done a better job against the pass than stopping the run. Both Drake & Gore could have good days vs their defense.

 

[Paolo305613]

Its going to be good to see Fitzpatrick in this position - but also our secondary might be a little more vulnerable today -- not the best of news considering the inconsistency of our front and LBs with regards to rushing the passer and tackling.

The Fins will need an efficient, mistake free day offensively to keep the pressure off the D

 

[FlyerFinFan]

Its going to be good to see Fitzpatrick in this position - but also our secondary might be a little more vulnerable today -- not the best of news considering the inconsistency of our front and LBs with regards to rushing the passer and tackling.

The Fins will need an efficient, mistake free day offensively to keep the pressure off the D

Should be ok but why not leave McCain on the outside since he's been playing there. Let Mctyer go to nickel. Otherwise they're screwing with the whole D.

I think that the O is due. Oakland missing some DT's too so run the ball...everything else will open up.

 

[Paolo305613]

Inactives:QB Luke Falk, QB David Fales, WR Tanner McEvoy, S Reshad Jones, CB Codrea Tankersley, RB Kalen Ballage, T Zach Sterup

 

[Paolo305613]

Should be ok but why not leave McCain on the outside since he's been playing there. Let Mctyer go to nickel. Otherwise they're screwing with the whole D.

I think that the O is due. Oakland missing some DT's too so run the ball...everything else will open up.

I don't mind the changes - they are by necessity(injury) so its not like it will be permanent(at least not yet). Plus, IMO, this defense can play a lot better than it has -- a few changes to see how they do shouldn't be a bad thing.

Like I said before, if the offense can be efficient, it will help take the pressure off the defense to do more than they can handle.

 

[Paolo305613]

Fins win toss but elect to differ

 

[Paolo305613]

Fins bring the pain on defense on the first play - immediately after on the second play, revert to themselves and give up a big pass play

 

[Paolo305613]

And that drive ended exactly as I expected. You win the toss - you know you are down your best guy on defense but you elect to differ against a team hungry to get going. They got going.

Now, Fins offense must get a quick and efficient response.

AND at SOME POINT the Fins must learn how to tackle and stop giving up big plays.

 

[Paolo305613]

Fins start the game with that weak ass behind the LOS pass that goes nowhere and sets back the offense the rest of the drive. Empty first drive on offense.

Lets see if the defense learned how to tackle after 1 drive

 

[Paolo305613]

Fins secondary gives up another big play - of course, no pressure brought by the front.

Fins are in for quite a reality check today if they don't correct some basic mistakes

 

[Paolo305613]

Much needed goaline stuff by Fins D - but they still have way too many things to fix on defense.

Hopefully some better play calling from Adam Gase this drive -- gotta have some control of the clock before they try the tempo stuff.

 

[Paolo305613]

Tannehill got the Fins out of that hole with his legs but obviously not enough offense yet to continue that drive. A nice catch from Parker but he should've been quicker turning up field rather than go east and west.

A terrible punt gives the Raiders unnecessarily good field position to start the next drive.

 

[Paolo305613]

A gift by Carr and the Raiders offense as they try to throw a bomb on the first play of that drive - INT by Xavien Howard - who is playing like a pro-bowler already.

Needed that take away as there were probably not many other ways the Dolphins could've stopped the Raiders. The Raiders know they have a good matchup there so they will go big plays often today with that weak defense the Fins show

 

[Paolo305613]

Another drive killed by penalties for Fins - 1-2nd and long - this is when they should go for some shots as they need the yards but instead go for the short crap -- thats how you stay on 3rd and long and get no where.

Fins have come into this game thinking they can sleep walk their way to a victory

 

[Paolo305613]

William Hayes hurt after getting a nice pass rush/sack on the Raiders QB -- a good stop that should lead to good field position for the Fins - seems like, at least on that drive, the Fins corrected some things defensively. But if you look at the middle and back end of the defense , you can still see some holes that need to be addressed ASAP

 

[Paolo305613]

Weak run play calls from the Fins are obviously resulting in nothing. Gore is your inside runner - Drake and the rest of the guys can run on the perimeter - but if when you call your runs you don't run the right plays with the right guys -- you are sure to get bad to no results as the Fins have today.

They need to try some stuff on the perimeter with their runs

 

[Paolo305613]

Then Tannehill throws a bomb to Stills for a game-tying TD. You can only hope that gets the offense going.

As for the defense, you just hope for the best and prepare for the complete opposite

 

[Paolo305613]

Cameron Wake with a sack to make the 2nd consecutive big stop by the Dolphins D - but of course it results in a penalty and an ejection for Akeem Spence for some unnecessary extra circular stuff at the end- 1st down Raiders

This is my issue with the Fins D -- a lot of guys of decent character and emotion but they tend to use it in ways that are often negative for the team. This defense needs to worry about playing a little better before they try to bring that wannabe tough guy attitude to the field. They need to go back to trying to play with more discipline before anything else.