RE-CAP: Dolphins vs. Bills - October 4th, 2009

OK, as a fan, I'm not as likely to downplay the win as much as the mainstream media, but it needs to be said that we are still not as good as the final score of 38 - 10 indicates.  We were able to move the ball easily against a Buffalo defense missing four starters.  The Bills were trying to adjust their running game back to Marshawn Lynch, which prevented Fred Jackson from getting into a rhythm.  And the Bills were down to a backup LT who was third string before they traded Jason Peters.  Again, I'm not trying to take away from the win, but if we HADN'T won this game, then we would have been relegated back to the NCAA.

Now on to the positives.  The Dolphins OWNED time of possession, rushing yardage, first downs, and a brand new stat I've created called the 'rookie effect'.  The Bills rookie o-linemen gave up sacks, the rookie safety was unimpressive in his first start, and the rookie 1st rounder, Aaron Maybin got manhandled and had just one tackle despite playing most of the second half.  Meanwhile, the Dolphins got 3 sacks from virtual rookie Cam Wake, a pick 6 from Vontae Davis who also contributed 2 tackles a pass deflection, and a special teams tackle, 2 pass deflections from Sean Smith who combined with Davis and Will Allen to virtually shut down the Bills receivers (and most importantly, not give up any big plays) and finally Brian Hartline playing mistake free football and being the recipient of an absolutely gorgeous touchdown pass from Chad Henne, who is a virtual rookie as well.  Another virtual rookie, Donald Thomas might as well replace Vernon Carey as only one of them continues to look like an offensive lineman in the NFL.

Now, stripping away all the stats and the big plays and turnover differential that finally went OUR way, the more important aspect of this game is that we won.  I know that sounds obvious and over-simplified, but it really isn't.  Had we not won this game, even I would have written this team off completely, and I might have joined the mass-media darkside.  But the fact that we won provides a safety net to the fear of a 2007 repeat (I know technically we could still go 1-15, but in 2007 we were in fear of going 0-16.  At the very least, we're better off than Detroit in 2008), provides a much needed confidence boost than can stop any infectious depression in the locker room, and perhaps most importantly, puts us immediately back into the division race.  At 1-3 and with a divisional win, we are currently in third place, and only a win over the Jets and the Patriots away from the top of the division again.  After watching the Jets and the Patriots yesterday, I don't think it's inconceivable.  Hard work, yes, but inconceivable, no!

But for now, let's not worry about that.  For now let's take a moment to breathe again.  I don't know about the rest of you, but the second we ran out the clock last night, I exhaled as if I had been holding it in for weeks.  

So don't forget that despite the win coming versus a badly bruised Bills team, it IS a win, and it's an important win in so many ways.  Starting tomorrow we'll look forward to the Jets in what no doubt could be our toughest remaining opponent on our 'brutal' schedule.  I haven't run the numbers, but with 2008 powerhouses, Pittsburgh, Tennessee, and Carolina not looking too hot, and the Colts and Falcons behind us, I don't think we have the toughest schedule in the NFL anymore.  Especially if we continue to stick to our current game plan, and winning those key stat-lines - Time of Possession, turnover ratio, rushing yards, first downs, etc.