Week 17: Miami Dolphins (8-7) @ New England Patriots (7-8)

[TheKillerNacho]

After four straight losses and Tua Tagovailoa's status in doubt, I'm kinda done with this dumb game for the moment. Maybe I'll turn on the game, but I'm pretty sure we're going to complete our embarrassing collapse and fail to make the playoffs either way. Might as well be to the luckiest team in the last two decades.

My prediction

Miami 20
New England 21

[Swampbilly]

Tua has been garbage in cold weather.  Add to that Bellicheat really is a great Defensive Coach, and I'm not feeling optimistic about this one.

[TheKillerNacho]

10 minutes ago, Swampbilly said:

Tua has been garbage in cold weather.

Tua is in concussion protocol again, so it's probably Bridgewater, which is even worse.

That said, Tua wasn't garbage versus Buffalo fwiw.

[Phinsesq]

I reserved judgment with the last game wondering if the 2 of the ints were Mostert and a Wr running the wrong routes. But that doesn't appear to be the case Tua just had a terrible game talk about night and day between the halves. That Greenbay game was gut wrenching, of the 4 losses that was the most painful. Miami gave that game away. NE and the Jets are beatable though.  I didn't expect playoffs at the beginning of the season I do now.  

On the bright side this is year one in a new system and Miami still controls their play off hopes.  

[TheKillerNacho]

3 hours ago, Phinsesq said:

NE and the Jets are beatable though.

With Tua, I'd say maybe. With Teddy, I don't think so.

[hrubes20]

2 hours ago, TheKillerNacho said:

With Tua, I'd say maybe. With Teddy, I don't think so.

I agree.  Mac Jones is horrific too though, which means it isn't an automatic loss with Teddy 2 Gloves starting.  I voted tie.  

[TheKillerNacho]

34 minutes ago, hrubes20 said:

I agree.  Mac Jones is horrific too though, which means it isn't an automatic loss with Teddy 2 Gloves starting.  I voted tie.  

Mac Jones is indeed horrific, but their defense is far better than ours at this point and will be playing at home.

[Phinsesq]

19 hours ago, TheKillerNacho said:

With Tua, I'd say maybe. With Teddy, I don't think so.

I like Teddy over Mac with the weapons we have. Of course a lot depends on the weather in NE. These division rivalry games you never can tell though. 

[Dolphinmeister]

Teddy is a .500 QB so maybe he can get a win this week or next but at this point is a playoff game on the road with a broke team really worth it.

[hrubes20]

29 minutes ago, Dolphinmeister said:

Teddy is a .500 QB so maybe he can get a win this week or next but at this point is a playoff game on the road with a broke team really worth it.

It would be nice for the team to at least get some playoff experience, but yeah, if Tua is shut down this team doesn't have a prayer.

[Swampbilly]

On 12/27/2022 at 9:24 AM, TheKillerNacho said:

Tua is in concussion protocol again, so it's probably Bridgewater, which is even worse.

That said, Tua wasn't garbage versus Buffalo fwiw.

Very true…..He was good vs Buffalo, maybe even better than good.  
 

In fairness I would like to change my statement to; Tua has been inconsistent in cold weather.

[Swampbilly]

On 12/27/2022 at 9:24 AM, TheKillerNacho said:

Tua is in concussion protocol again, so it's probably Bridgewater, which is even worse.

That said, Tua wasn't garbage versus Buffalo fwiw.

The late game INT’s vs Green Bay don’t appear to be as senseless now.

[TheKillerNacho]

5 hours ago, hrubes20 said:

It would be nice for the team to at least get some playoff experience, but yeah, if Tua is shut down this team doesn't have a prayer.

I'd wager good money that Tua returns (for the better or worse, for him) next week, especially if we lose this game. If not next week, he'll definitely return for the playoffs if we make them despite not having him.

[TheKillerNacho]

No surprise, but Tua has now officially been ruled out. I expect this game to be a defensive struggle, honestly. Both of these teams are backpedaling hard, but someone has to win (probably).

[TheKillerNacho]

Also it'll be 54 degrees in Foxborough this game, so won't be in cold weather, at least.