Touchdown pass to Darren Waller helped the Dolphins to a big early lead at Carolina, but then they stopped throwing to him.

Pressure Point: Dolphins’ collapse at Carolina signals change inevitable

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The Miami Dolphins lost a lot when Tyreek Hill blew out his knee in week 4.

His absence is not the reason the Dolphins’ season is a lost cause five weeks in following a dispiriting 27-24 loss Sunday at Carolina.

Not with the timely arrival of another former All-Pro receiver, Darren Waller, providing a dynamic new weapon for Tua Tagovailoa (5 receptions for 78 yards and a touchdown). And with Jaylen Waddle doing his part to fill the void (6 catches for 110 yards including a 46-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter).

No, the absolute failure of this poorly constructed Dolphins team isn’t about having enough play makers on offense.

It’s about the must fundamental aspect of the game. If you can’t man up on at the line of scrimmage, you’re a pushover.

The Dolphins have been just that, bowled over and bludgeoned on both sides of the ball, week after week.

Dolphins out-muscled at line of scrimmage

Two stark numbers succinctly summarize how the Dolphins lost this battle of 1-3 teams after building a 17-0 lead:

Miami mustered only 19 yards rushing on 14 attempts.

Carolina rushed for 239 yards on 32 attempts.

It was a simple matter of brute force and the ability (and will) to block and tackle. Each category was no contest in favor of the Panthers.

Carolina achieved that despite missing starting running back Chuba Hubbard. That proved no impediment with backup Rico Dowdle running wild for 206 yards while averaging 9 yards a carry.

Dowdle went 53 yards untouched around the right side before Mincah Fitzpatrick made a touchdown-saving tackle on one third-quarter run.

There is no apparent solution to the inability to run the ball or stop the opponent from doing so.

No easy fixes for Dolphins’ shortcomings

These are the players that were chosen to fill this deeply flawed roster. It’s not a matter of watching the video and making adjustments. This group simply is not good enough.

The gap just to attain mediocrity is a wide chasm.

Consequently, the Collapse at Carolina has the look of a regime-ending defeat. It’s a matter of when, not if, heads will roll.

The remainder of the season will be more about what team owner Steve Ross decides to do than about how coaches and players adjust. Because drastic change is inevitable now.

While fans are chanting for firings, beginning with the coach and general manager, the state of the franchise is disheartening for everyone who still cares about it.

The latest so-called rebuilding effort, convened after the 2019 season, has produced nothing more than two one-and-done playoff appearances. This season is destined to be the second in a row without an extra game.

The drought without a postseason win since 2000 is no closer to ending. It will be a long climb from starting over again.

Dolphins squander early lead

Sunday’s loss was a prime example of how the Dolphins build up hopes, only to let their followers down. They took advantage of two turnovers by Panthers quarterback Bryce Young to build a 17-0 lead.

But after Waller caught a 4-yard pass from Tua in the back of the end zone early in the second quarter, the big tight end wasn’t targeted again the rest of the game.

Meanwhile, the Panthers realized they could run with ease through Anthony Weaver’s defense and the outcome appeared inevitable even while the Dolphins clung to the lead.

Tagovailoa, as he often does, won the stats game with 256 yards passing, three touchdowns and a 122.0 passer rating. But his day ended with a high throw off Waddle’s fingertips and a sack.

Ultimately, his accomplishments in the game — including the long TD heave to Waddle to reclaim the lead with less than five minutes remaining — had a hollow ring, much like his career.

Watching it unfold was like witnessing a crash in slow motion. With 12 games left to be played out, it remains to be seen how much of the audience bothers to keep watching.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for more than four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Alyssa Thomas missed two late free throws, and the Mercury let go of Game 1 of the Finals in Las Vegas

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The game rested in Alyssa Thomas’ hands as she stepped to the line down one with 24.6 seconds left, but she gagged both attempts. The Mercury lost 89-86 moments after blanking a poorly designed sideline out-of-bounds play.

 

Somewhere, Nick Anderson let out a sigh of relief at being replaced as a late-game choker. The blunder was the equivalent of a boxer having an opponent wounded in the corner, and then getting knocked out before finishing the job. 

 

Now one is left to wonder how much psychological damage this will inflict on Phoenix. And considering Thomas’ below-average accuracy in the regular season and playoffs at the welfare line, the Aces may want her there again late in Game 2.

 

 Kahleah Copper’s sweet-shooting first half, and Thomas’ work in that time getting to the cylinder became a footnote of history. Instead, Aj’a Wilson’s late six points, Dana Evans’ three enormous triples, and Jackie Young’s go-ahead freebies will be remembered for saving the night in Game 1 of the WNBA’s first best-of-seven Finals.

 

Copper was asked at her postgame interview if she needed to do anything to console Thomas, but she responded, “Nah. She good.”

 

But I don’t know if she was. She looked scared senseless, like an apparition had appeared with a dire warning. The first miss was so bad, it inspired zero confidence in thinking she’d make the second. Thomas did not attend the post-game press conference.

 

Of course, the series is far from over, and Phoenix is capable of winning on tour, as they did in New York and Minnesota during this postseason, yet the road to the Finals has revealed that the Aces are scarier than many imagined, including this scribe. 

 

Never forget how the Aces were dropped by Minnesota to 14-14, getting mowed down at home by 53. They were dead, then they won every game left (30-14), claimed the second seed and took out Seattle and Indiana. 

 

The Aces only made a third of their 3-point tries, and Young plus Wilson shot way below their averages. Some of that will continue because Phoenix is the bigger and more athletic team, but they can’t close another game shooting 33% in hostile territory and expect to go home with a stalemate. The Aces’ best players are too seasoned as back-to-back champions to make it anything short of a struggle until the end.

 

Satou Sabally needs to stay locked in because her outbursts, like the one that gave her a technical foul late, will make her a target.  But most importantly, Thomas owes the Mercury a game, and so does Copper for doing nada offensively in 10 fourth-quarter minutes.



Tua Tagovailoa has thrived in coach Mike McDaniel's offense with the Miami Dolphins.

The Key’s to a Miami Dolphins Victory in Carolina

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Coming off of their first win of the 2025 season and the loss of their biggest superstar, the Miami Dolphins will look to stay on track as they travel to Bank of America Stadium to take on the Carolina Panthers.

For the Dolphins it’s about making a statement and getting their season back on track and for the Panthers it’s about responding and finding some consistency following two interesting football games.

So here are three keys to victory for the Miami Dolphins.

  1. Run the Ball: I have repeated this key each and every week of the Miami Dolphins season. And now with Tyreek Hill out it is even more important. The Miami Dolphins most talented offensive weapon is their tailback (Devon Achane) and the offensive line has done much better in run blocking versus pass blocking. Running the ball will enable the Dolphins to follow their success from last week in the play action game and help alleviate this offensive line. The Dolphins are top 10 in yards per attempt, but bottom 5 in rushing yards per game. Establish the run, control the clock.
  2. Pressure Bryce Young: Bryce Young has yet to show that he can be a top quarterback in this league. He struggles under pressure, turns the ball over, and will be without his top back this week (Chuba Hubbard). For the Dolphins, the pass rush that everyone raved about in the offseason has been nonexistent. Last week the Patriots got 4 quarterback hits and one sack on Young in their 42-13 rout. On top of pressuring Bryce Young, it will be essential for the Dolphins to contain first round pick Tet McMillan, the only true game changer the Panthers have.
  3. Get Malik Washington Involved: Malik Washington can do it all, and without Tyreek Hill I expect him to benefit most. Washington has been seen on punt/kick return, in the receiving game, and in the rushing game, even lining up in the backfield. Washington is dynamic and throws a good wrinkle in there, making it hard to contain the Dolphins offense.

Some other keys:

  • Win the turnover battle. The Dolphins generated their first turnovers last week and look, they won the game.
  • Time to let McDaniel and Tua shine. Without Tyreek, the Dolphins offense loses the over-the-top explosiveness, but this offense is still talented and could benefit in a way without Tyreek.

Miami will look to their next man up without Tyreek Hill and should be able to handle an inferior opponent. That being said it’s the NFL, and on any given Sunday, anyone can come out on top.

Dolphins Loss Chiefs

Longtime Dolphins Corner Xavien Howard Abruptly Retires

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While seeing Xavien Howard in a Colts jersey was a weird feeling, it didn’t last long. Howard had a rough start with the Colts and after four weeks he has abruptly retired. Howard made his announcement October first via his Instagram:

Image

Xavien Howard is arguably the best corner in Dolphin’s history, up there with franchise icons Patrick Surtain and Sam Madison. As a Dolphin Howard tallied:

  • Achievements: 5× Pro Bowl (2018, 2020-2022), First-team All-Pro (2020) 100 games
  • Stats: 29 interceptions, 4 touchdowns, 95 passes defended, 331 tackles

Over 100 games. Howard was a bright spot in the rough Dolphins years, forming a fierce duo with the likes of Byron Jones and Jalen Ramsey, holding down the Dolphin’s secondary. Howard was a playmaker, a ball hawk and should have been the defensive player of the year in his 2020 campaign where he recorded:

  •  10 interceptions (led NFL)  
  • 20 passes defended (led NFL)  
  • 1 forced fumble
  • 51 total tackles

Howard came third in the voting that year and led the Miami Dolphins to a top 10 defense.

Now Xavien Howard will get to spend more time with his kids and be a father. At 32 Howard has plenty ahead of him and will look forward to his next chapter in life.

After nearly a decade in the NFL, Howard believes he has “fulfilled his purpose” with football and it’s hard to argue against that. His 8 seasons in Miami contain some of the most dominant stretches from an NFL corner and make a strong case for the best tenure in Dolphin’s history.

A corner has yet to make the Miami Dolphins ring of honor, but it will be difficult not to make a case for Xavien Howard. Below are his best highlights. https://x.com/FinsPhanatics/status/1973516416528818230

Howard’s career might feel like it ended suddenly, but his place in Dolphin’s history is anything but fleeting. For nearly a decade, he was the heartbeat of Miami’s defense, the rare player who could tilt a game with one play. Few corners in the league could match his instincts and ability to bait quarterbacks into costly mistakes, and for Dolphins fans, his interceptions were often the lone sparks in otherwise lean years.

Whether or not he becomes the first cornerback in the team’s Ring of Honor, Howard has already secured something harder to earn–lasting respect from the fanbase and a spot in the conversation with the Dolphins’ all-time greats.

Why Cameron Wake Belongs in the Dolphins’ Ring of Honor

 

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Labor champion Napheesa Collier epically rips WNBA leadership

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Napheesa Collier threw a grenade in Cathy Engelbert’s lap, undercutting her in such epic fashion that it left her scrambling for a weak response that doesn’t deny the harshest claims.

 

Collier accused Engelbert of 1. saying Caitlin Clark, of all people, should be “grateful” to the WNBA for her riches. 2. Alleged she said the ladies should be submitting on their knees because of the media rights deal Engelbert got them. And 3. Said the commish said that players who complain about refereeing are losers.

 

If all of this is true, Engelbert is miserably cosplaying David Stern, and it should mortify league partners. Examine her statement below:

 

“I have the utmost respect for Napheesa Collier and for all the players in the WNBA.

Together we have all worked tirelessly to transform this league. My focus remains on ensuring a bright future for the players and the WNBA, including collaborating on how we continue to elevate the game. I am disheartened by how Napheesa characterized our conversations and league leadership, but even when our perspectives differ, my commitment to the players and to this work will not waver.”

 

Collier said she anticipates a fine but might get suspended like her coach, Cheryl Reeve, did for going hard at the league. But her being one of the founding members of Unrivaled, the women’s professional three-versus-three league, headquartered in Miami, is a bigger threat to the W by the day. 

 

Recent fines to coaches Becky Hammon (Aces) and Stephanie White (Fever) for saying Reeve wasn’t lying and supporting her call for a change of leadership “at the league level when it comes to officiating” have added more gasoline to the standoff coming up at the upcoming CBA meetings. Goodness willing someone wears a wire and it leaks. 

 

And aside from Clark not needing the WNBA because she became one of the biggest stars on the planet at Iowa, and could’ve gone to wherever if she wanted to and the league would be SOL, Engelbert should crack down on the poor officiating and physical play that’s going to get players hurt. 

 

Anyone with eyes and critical thinking skills can tell the refs are some of the worst in pro sports, based on how long they take to review consequential possessions on a challenge or foul, or when they don’t have the nerve to throw someone out for excessive force. Engelbert thinks she’s gonna grow the league mimicking the ‘80s NBA model to the bone, but it’s a lousy idea aside from putting the stars on TV more. She already did the black-and-white comparisons with Clark, the white woman and Angel Reese, the black woman, but letting prison ball continue in the WNBA cheapens the game; don’t be surprised when a player tries to enact justice themselves. 

 

Never forget that Alyssa Thomas was not suspended for violently dropping Reese or that Diana Taurasi wasn’t either for taking out Cheyenne Parker-Tyus late in a game, both happening in 2024. DiJonai Carrington pulled rookie Sarah Ashlee Barker by her hair down this year, and she wasn’t suspended either. It means nothing when the league says, “All games are reviewed,” when they fail as oversight.

 

UCONN women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma lambasted the WNBA on Friday. Unfortunately for the league, they can’t sanction him for saying, “On a daily basis, I think the WNBA game is not conducive to like great basketball. You can spin it any way you want. There’s more viewers, there’s more that. That’s great, that doesn’t mean it’s a better game just because more people are watching…”

 

Fever switchblade Lexie Hull agreed with everything Collier said publicly. Clark missed an opportunity to use her status to pressure the league and gave a no comment, which ESPN’s Alexa Philippou first reported. 

 

Liberty guard Natasha Cloud tweeted that the players are behind Collier. 

 

Collier’s comments instantly became the biggest story in professional basketball. We are all about to find out if Engelbert is ready to deal with the heat that comes with it. 

 

 



The Miami Dolphins must quickly fill the void after losing Tyreek Hill to a serious knee injury.

Pressure Point: Dolphins must adjust quickly to reality without Tyreek Hill

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Granted, any win in the NFL is a hard day’s work.

The Miami Dolphins can feel accomplished that they are finally proud owners of one in 2025. It came with a steep price, though, losing their most impactful player in a 27-21 conquest of the winless New York Jets on Monday night.

The term for that is pyrrhic victory.

This one will be remembered only for the loss of five-time All Pro receiver Tyreek Hill to a devastating knee injury, certainly for the season, quite possibly forever.

Harsh reality sets in rapidly in a league whose initials could stand for Not For Long.

The 1-3 Dolphins can point to improvement over the past six quarters of play, including the second half at Buffalo. Whether that is a genuine turn for the better is inconclusive at best.

As for Monday, the difference was a recovered fumble at the goal line against a team whose performance was so inept its coach could be heard afterward by media members bellowing behind closed doors.

Rarely does an NFL team play as stupidly for 60 minutes as the Jets did Monday. They had 13 assessed penalties, three turnovers and committed a slew of mental errors.

Jets’ epic ineptitude aided Dolphins

Jets fans were calling for the head of Isaiah Williams, who fumbled away the second-half kickoff and called for a fair catch at his own 2 yard line in the final minute.

Jets running back Breece Hall summed up the evening well with “Teams shoot themselves in the foot, then we come back and shoot ourselves in the head.”

Quite frankly, the Dolphins also were beneficiaries of several questionable rulings by the officials.

What, then, was revealed about the Dolphins in holding off one of the league’s most dysfunctional teams?

Again, inconclusive.

One thing to say with conviction, I actually liked the Dolphins’ “Dark Water” rivalry uniforms. They looked badass, a quality this team has lacked.

The defense did answer coordinator Anthony Weaver’s demand for a more “violent” approach. They created turnovers for the first time this season. Cornerback Jack Jones punched the ball free just before Braelon Allen crossed the goal line on the Jets’ opening drive and Minkah Fitzpatrick recovered.

But prior to the fumble, Fitzpatrick accurately noted, “They were running the ball with ease.” The safety acknowledged, “When a team is running the ball like that, especially on the first drive of the game, it can be super deflating.”

Dolphins defense still getting run over

Although they got better after that, Miami’s defense still allowed 404 yards total offense, including 197 on the ground (7.1 yards per attempt).

There was a lot of violent head turning as Jets backs ran past.

The pass rush had trouble reaching and containing Justin Fields, who scampered away for a 43-yard touchdown.

The Miami defense needs more examples like linebacker Jordyn Brooks (18 tackles). Cornerback, a position of concern, has actually been passable with Jones and Rasul Douglas.

But whether the Dolphins can beat anyone better than the Jets with this defense is: inconclusive.

That their grip on this one remained uncomfortable until the end is concerning. But there are positives to cite.

In the immediate aftermath of Hill’s departure on a cart, joking and waving, the Dolphins responded with back to back touchdown drives. They uncovered an intriguing new offensive force in the Dolphins debut of massive tight end Darren Waller, a target so expansive that Tua Tagovailoa will be hard pressed to overthrow him.

“I mean I can’t remember the last time I’ve thrown the ball to dang near the goal post and somebody catches it like that,” Tua said of Waller’s jaw-dropping grab at the back of the end zone for the first of two touchdown catches. “So, that’s the kind of guy that we have in Darren Waller.”

Tight end Waller has immediate impact for Dolphins

So, Waller becomes exhibit No. 1 of how the Dolphins will cope with the loss of Hill, who has missed only one game in his four seasons with Miami. He is their leading receiver this season and even claimed that distinction for this game (six catches for 67 yards) despite his early departure.

Througouth his tenure, the Dolphins have gone best when Hill is going well.

Even with the void Hill’s injury leaves, there is reason to be encouraged by the potential of McDaniel’s offense. It looked more like the 2023 version than we’ve seen since then with the combination of pre-snap motion, deception and speed bringing positive results. It was evident they had 11 days to prepare.

For the first time this season Tagovailoa didn’t have a turnover or a sack. I liked getting him out of the pocket, where he’s been vulnerable if his first read isn’t open, and having him throw on the run.

Best of all was the balance with 31 rushes (123 yards) and 25 passes. The makeshift offensive line did a good job of opening lanes for De’von Achane, including Cole Strange getting his first start at right guard.

But is that a reflection of general improvement or status quo by facing the Jets, who have lost 10 in a row at Hard Rock Stadium? Again, inconclusive.

Jaylen Waddle must lead Dolphins receivers

What matters now is how they go forward without Hill. Is Jaylen Waddle ready to step into the featured receiver role? He has moments of brilliance, but now he must emerge as the go-to guy.
Malik Washington will have the chance to play a bigger part and there should be opportunity to finally  take the wraps off talented Tahj Washington.

There is speculation about using running backs Achane and Ollie Gordon II together, with Achane lining up as a receiver. But Achane is too valuable as the featured runner for that to me more than a variation.

How will this Dolphins team respond to the post-Tyreek reality? The weeks ahead will reveal a lot more than Monday’s win over the self-destructible Jets.

A good starting point would be to throw to Darren Waller as often as possible.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for more than four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

The Edge of Collapse: Dolphins Seek First Win Against Rival Jets

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The Miami Dolphins are 0-3 and come home to face their division rival New York Jets (0-3). A rivalry long rooted in history, at one of its darkest points. Both teams come into the game at a crossroads, the Jets in a transition year, with a new coach and quarterback, while the Dolphins continuity is seeing its chapter come to a close. For this Dolphins chapter, a win is necessary, go to 0-4 while being 0-3 in the division — change is imminent — win and maybe they can right this ship.

So here are the keys to a Miami Dolphins victory.

  1.  Establish the run. The Miami Dolphins rushing attack has actually been among the NFL’s best and with a young, struggling offensive line, the run can help build that unit, and also alleviate some pressure on passing downs. Miami is averaging 5.2 yards per carry which is good for third in the NFL. The Jets are allowing 4.1 yards per attempt and 133 yards a game. Ollie Gordon and Devon Achane must have a big role in tonight’s matchup, allowing Miami to keep their struggling defense on the sideline.
  2. Contain Justin Fields. The Jets offense has been heavily reliant on the run, whether it’s been Tyrod Taylor, Justin Field, Breece Hall, or Braelon Allen. The Jets are only averaging 144.7 passing yards while running for 127 per game. Their best offensive performance came in week one against the Steelers when the Jets ran for 182 yards, with 48 of those coming from Fields (12 carries). The Dolphins defense must hold their gaps, and I would expect them to try more of Willie Gay this week to combat Field’s elusiveness.
  3. Win the turnover battle. I have said this every week, but not it has become a glaring issue and cause of loss. The Miami Dolphins have yet to force a turnover and currently hold a second worst -5 turnover differential. This formula just doesn’t in football games. The Jets are also not very good in this category, so as coach Weaver said “”At some point it comes down to changing the math through violence… I need you to do more than your job, I need you to whip that guy’s a– in front of you.” The Dolphins defense needs to come out fast and ferocious this week and get Hard Rock Stadium involved.

For the Dolphins this really is their season, 0-4 everything spirals, sell the assets and get ready for the next build. Win. And maybe there is a reason to believe.

Austin Dobbins – Sports Illustrated

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Off the Floor

Miami’s Crossroads: Mike McDaniel and the Fight to Save a Season

The Fish Are Still Fighting? How The Miami Marlins Can Make the MLB Playoffs

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Photo Credits- (1) Miami Marlins – Search / X

If I would have told you before the MLB season that with 6 games left to play the Miami Marlins could still make the playoffs, you would have called my delusional. Well, I’m here to say that I would have been right.

Yet here we are. The Miami Marlins have exceeded all expectations this year under first-year manager Clayton McCullough. Currently sitting at 76-80, they are alive for a winning season and even a playoff spot, having far outperformed their preseason projection of roughly 60 wins.

This season has been full of surprises, from trade speculation surrounding their aces to questions about lineup consistency and McCullough’s leadership. Despite all of that, the Marlins have life. Here is how they could pull off this improbable run.

The Marlins currently hold the tiebreaker over both the Giants and the Reds, who are both ahead of them. Their next three games against the Phillies are absolutely crucial to their slim playoff hopes and could possibly set up a huge weekend finale against the New York Mets at LoanDepot Park. Here is what would need to happen for the Marlins to clinch a spot:

  • Miami must go 5-1 or better in their final six games

  • New York Mets must go 1-5 or worse

  • Cincinnati Reds must go 1-5 or worse

  • Arizona Diamondbacks must go 1-5 or worse

  • St. Louis Cardinals must go 4-2 or worse

  • San Francisco Giants must go 4-2 or worse

Yes, the odds are long. Yes, it may feel impossible. But that is the beauty of baseball. The Marlins are a young, hungry team, and this season has already been nothing short of miraculous. They have proven they can compete with anyone, even amid skepticism and low expectations.

Looking ahead, the future is bright. The free agent market is full of stars, Miami has talent at the major league level and throughout the minor leagues, and this team has shown it has fight. The 2025 season may not end with a playoff berth, but it has laid the groundwork for optimism and excitement heading into next year.

One thing is certain: the fish are still fighting, and they have a huge offseason ahead of them.

Miami’s Crossroads: Mike McDaniel and the Fight to Save a Season

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The Miami Dolphins are now 0-3 in “franchise” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s 6th NFL season, and the fourth season under head coach Mike McDaniel. 0-3 is not the place any organization wants to be and currently puts the Miami Dolphins in the same boat as the Jets, Saints, Texans, Titans, and Giants. The only team similar to Miami here is the Houston Texans, who hope that they found their guy in C.J. Stroud.

For the Dolphins, this rebuild has failed. The draft capital, the opportunity, the triumphs, and the tragedies have all led to the same story, the “Same Old Dolphins,” the team that holds the second longest playoff win drought of the four major U.S. sports.

Now, for many, this season is a wash, an opportunity for the Dolphins to hit the reset button once again. But for those in the building, it is the last chance to prove their worth and change the narrative surrounding themselves and the Miami Dolphins. Which brings us to the New York Jets and Monday Night Football, where the Miami Dolphins go, depends on that game’s result.

Dolphins Remaining Schedule

Week 4 — vs. Jets (MNF), 7:15 PM
Week 5 — at Panthers, 1:00 PM
Week 6 — vs. Chargers, 1:00 PM
Week 7 — at Browns, 1:00 PM
Week 8 — at Falcons, 1:00 PM
Week 9 — vs. Ravens (TNF), 8:15 PM
Week 10 — vs. Bills, 1:00 PM
Week 11 — vs. Commanders (Madrid), 9:30 AM
Week 13 — vs. Saints, 1:00 PM
Week 14 — at Jets, 1:00 PM
Week 15 — at Steelers (MNF), 8:15 PM
Week 16 — vs. Bengals (SNF), 8:20 PM
Week 17 — vs. Buccaneers, 1:00 PM
Week 18 — at Patriots, 1:00 PM

With a Loss to the Jets

If the Dolphins lose to the Jets, they will be 0-4 before facing an inferior opponent in the Panthers. But at 0-4, would that even matter? Only one team has ever made the playoffs after going 0-4. The 1992 Chargers went 11-1 over their final 12 games. San Diego won in the Wild Card round, 17-0 over the Chiefs, but ended up losing in a 31-0 blowout against the Dolphins in the Divisional Round. If the Dolphins move to 0-4 with the Chargers, Ravens, Bills, Commanders, Steelers, Bengals, and Bucs on deck, chalk the season up and move on to the next. At that point, you explore selling high on assets. Tyreek Hill could bring back serious draft capital from a contender, and others could be on the table as well.

0-4 would bring serious conversations about firing McDaniel. Tua would still likely get the nod.

With a Win to the Jets

In all honesty, a win does nothing except get the Dolphins back on track. A win Monday is expected, but helps the team believe again, and with the Panthers on deck there would be real optimism in turning their season around. With the talent of this team and their backs against the wall, there is no reason that they should not be 4-4 by Week 9 against Baltimore and getting healthy on the offensive line. For the fans, opinions will not change, and they have no reason to until the Dolphins prove their worth against the NFL’s best. Beating bad teams means nothing.

For the Dolphins

At some point, Tua Tagovailoa has to find himself again. The flashes that once made him the unquestioned franchise quarterback have faded into inconsistency, and the Dolphins cannot afford to wait forever. This roster still has enough talent to compete, but Miami needs to lean into what is working. Their rushing attack is averaging 5.2 yards per carry, fourth-best in the league, and it has been the one reliable spark in an otherwise disappointing start.

The Dolphins can either keep trying to force the passing game to define them, or they can embrace balance, protect their quarterback, and play to their strengths. Monday night against the Jets is more than a test of will. It is a moment of truth for Tua, for Mike McDaniel, and for a franchise desperate to escape the shadow of the Same Old Dolphins.

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: “We gotta keep the main thing the main thing,”: The Fever took first blood against the Aces

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Kelsey Mitchell and Aliyah Boston upstaged A’ja Wilson’s MVP coronation, seizing Game 1 in Las Vegas for the Indiana Fever. The visitors were huge underdogs for the series because the Aces had won 18 out of 19 games since Aug. 3, but none of that mattered. Odyssey Sims said both teams were 0-0 at the last practice before the opener, and if anyone wasn’t sure they mean business, pay attention now.

 

The Fever don’t need Caitlin and the injured Clarkettes to win this series. The Aces are picking poison between Mitchell and Boston, and each one is a lethal dose. Mitchell bends coverages with speed, and Boston does with unmatchable power, but the former was the offensive star of Game 1, carving schemes through the middle for layups and floaters and spraying four 3-pointers. 

 

Boston took over another way: guarding Wilson and locking her up tighter than a medieval dungeon. It was the most dominant six-point game many will probably ever see. It also exposed how ill-equipped the Aces are when Wilson isn’t on a scoring binge.

 

Holding the first four-time MVP to an off-night for a consecutive game won’t be easy, but Boston’s close-range detonation is a huge threat that wasn’t relied on in Game 1. The Aces won’t be able to contain her and Mitchell simultaneously.. 

 

Natasha Howard’s four-for-four start, plus Sims’ third-quarter outburst, were the polish on the gold bricks. Players like them tend to get loose when the defense is keying in on two potent weapons. 

 

Aces coach Becky Hammon cited a lower level of urgency for her club and said they aren’t capable “when they play like that.”

 

Fever coach Stephanie White said, “We can’t trip on anything that’s behind us. We can’t look too far forward and too far in front of us because that’s when you start to lose your focus. We try and we’ve talked about it since day one. We gotta keep the main thing the main thing…”

 

 Game 2 is on Tuesday in Las Vegas and Game 3 is on Friday in Indiana. Game 4 & 5 if necessary would be in Indiana on Sunday and in Las Vegas on Sept. 30.