UPDATE: The Cleveland Browns defeated the Miami Dolphins 17-16 on a 14-yard TD pass from Colt McCoy to Mohamed Massaquoi with 0:43 left on the clock to drop the Dolphins to 0-3. The Browns improve to 2-1 and will host the Tennessee Titans next week.
GAME PREVIEW:
It may be true that there are only two games in the books, and it’s a long season. Make no mistake though; the Miami Dolphins are staring down the barrel of a make-or-break game.
“This game can set us up for getting on the winning track,” said quarterback Chad Henne in a press conference Wednesday.
Does a victory against the Cleveland Browns this Sunday set them on the path to redemption and a shot at the playoffs? Perhaps not. Neither does a loss here guarantee that Andrew Luck will be clad in teal and orange in 2012 though.
Still, it’s tough to rally back from a 0-3 start to the season—any season—but especially one in which Miami was ablaze with criticism before the first kickoff, and the stadium is already seeing dwindling attendance.
“Yeah it’s a bad way to start,” coach Tony Sparano said, though he does point out, “There’s a lot of time before you get to the other end of this thing. The world champions were 4-3 after seven weeks last year.”
He’s right, and week three’s road game against the Browns could be just the ticket to turning things around. Especially considering the logic-defying statistic regarding the Dolphins’ home record, versus away, since last season (they’re 1-9 at home since 2010, meanwhile, 6-2 on the road).
Let’s not forget that they jumped out to a hot start this season either. On the opening drive of the season, they marched downfield on the New England Patriots, exhibiting signs of a team in sync, and scoring on a QB sneak from 9 yards out. Yet, by the end of the Monday night opener, Tom Brady and company had routed them to the tune of over 600 total offensive yards, and a few new passing records. In short, the Dolphins D rolled over and the promising offense began to sputter, particularly in the red zone.
“Right now we’re probably, I’m going to say eighth worst,” Sparano said of the Dolphins’ red zone game. “In other words, 23 teams are better than we are down there.”
Neither situation improved in week two against the Houston Texans. Still, they flashed potential until late in the week one matchup, and week two saw rookie running back Daniel Thomas turn a corner, as he rumbled for 107 yards in the loss.
Week three has the potential for an auspicious matchup for the Dolphins. The Brown’s offense, aside from running back Peyton Hillis who is out this week with strep throat, is largely unproven. Second year quarterback Colt McCoy may be athletic, but there are kickers who’ve thrown for more yards this season, and his receiving corps is questionable at best. Which is lucky, since Miami’s secondary has actually been the low point of two woeful defensive efforts, and cornerback Vontae Davis (hamstring) is a question mark.
The Browns will be relying on Greg Little, though, who shows tons of promise, but is still a rookie receiver, as well as the underachieving Brian Robiskie, a far better return man than receiver in Josh Cribbs and the talented but oft-injured Mohamed Massaquoi. Who by the way, is once again listed as questionable for this week’s game, though he’ll suit up.
The Browns’ 1-1 start, though not impressive, is still deceptive. Their loss week one came from the lowly Cincinnati Bengals (though, admittedly, they’ve proven better than advertised). Last week’s W, on the other hand, came against Indy’s Colts, who’ve been left flailing in Peyton Manning’s absence.
“Football is not hard,” wide receiver Brandon Marshall said. “This is something that comes natural to us and that’s all we have to do is go out there and play.”
Maybe it’s that simple. Sometimes, a team just needs a spark. The Dolphins had better use the Browns as kindling then. Because things won’t get any easier with the high-powered San Diego Chargers next on the schedule, and the Jets, Giants, Redskins, and the suddenly intimidating Buffalo Bills waiting on the other end of a week 5 bye.
