The Miami Dolphins improved to 5-5 and very much alive in the AFC Playoff picture and dropped the Carolina Panthers to 4-6 with a gritty 24-17 victory. They did so despite losing their best player, Ronnie Brown, to a season ending foot surgery that is being surgically repaired as I write this sentence, traveling on the road for their second game in 4 days and after being decimated by injuries during the game including the loss of run stopping force Jason Ferguson and the offensive lineman moving around trying out more positions than Sting. The Dolphins were down to their 3rd center and nose tackle and at one point had to re-enter injured Jake Grove and Joe Berger to replace each other because utility lineman Nate Gardener who played three spots had to leave the game. Through it all the gritty Dolphins 2nd and 3rd teamers stepped up and played very well considering the circumstances.
What Tony Sparano’s club may lack in talent or experience they more than make up for with resiliency and pride. The Dolphins are extremely relentless and physical and that combined with no turnovers, only 5 penalties for 30 yards and great play calling by OC Dan Henning and the Dolphins become very difficult to contend with.
With 4 minutes left in the first half Carolina held a 3-0 lead and Elvis had a stronger pulse than the Dolphins offense that only managed 45 total yards after three possessions. On their 4th possession Miami mounted a huge 9-play 81-yard drive capped off by a 14-yard touchdown pass from Chad Henne to Ricky Williams, who also scored 2 rushing touchdowns on an impressive 22-119 night. The Dolphins defense followed by forcing a three and out capped with a huge Davone Bess 22 yard punt return placing Miami deep in Panthers territory at the 29-yard line. Williams then took a direct snap i.e. Wildcat and raced to the pylon for a 1 yard touchdown run 8 plays later vaulting the Dolphins to a 14-3 lead at the half.
After Miami opened the 2nd half with a pathetic three and out DeAngelo Williams took a 2nd down handoff and exploded down the sideline 50 yards to the Dolphins 31. Jonathan Stewart then burst up the middle for 7 more and just when it appeared Miami had no shot at stopping the Panthers they let Delhomme throw it and of course Nate Jones picked off his horrible throw 4 yards shy of the goal line. The Panthers struggled offensively until midway through the 4th quarter thanks to a vicious Dolphins pass rush led by recently benched Joey Porter and his 8 tackle, 2 sack effort not to mention the numerous quarterback pressures he racked up.
Delhomme hit Steve Smith on a 27-yard acrobatic touchdown with 7 minutes to go bringing Carolina within 3 points and causing every Dolfan on the planet to take a collective gulp before screaming “Not again!” On the Fins ensuing drive Bess, who had a spectacular game (6-63), including three difficult and clutch 3rd down receptions, crossed the Panthers zone and Henne found him. Williams took the next snap off tackle for a 46-yard touchdown with 3:55 remaining and the Dolphins defense held on for the victory.
Just saying…
- Joey Haynos dropped several key passes. That compiled with the missing person report filed weeks ago on Anthony Fasano makes me think that WR is not our only position of need.
- Just watching Steve Smith makes you wonder doesn’t it? Wow! Imagine a guy like that for Henne to play catch with.
- If Ricky Williams is 32 years old than weed is the fountain of youth.
- Dan Henning calls a good game.
- Vontae Davis getting in Steve Smith’s face made my heart flutter.
- If I ever go to battle I want to take Lusake Polite with me.
- Davone Bess is emerging to Chad Henne what Wes Welker is to Tom Brady.
- A healthy and motivated Joey Porter can still bring it.
- Ted Ginn looked more confident and although every pitch and catch is a bit of an adventure he took baby steps in the right direction… and that is leaps and bounds for the Miami Dolphins.
- oh, and I almost forgot….I’m a New York Jets fan this Sunday!
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