QBRyan Tannehill can be very good. He held on to th ball for too long at times and he was sacked five times, mainly because of poor blocking but he still managed to run a game winning awsome TD drive to lead the come from behind victory. Let's be honest, Miami had no buisness winnig this game. The Falcons were robbed by Tannehill who finished 24 of 35 for 236 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT on a deflection for a rating of over 94. He should get a B but the clutch play deserves a better grade. B+
RB The run blocking is still awful and it showed. Miller broke away for a 49 yard run but other than that he gained 13 yards on 7 carrie... Thomas wasn't better. The bigger problem was the awful pass blocking. Thomas gave up two sacks that could have ended in injuries to Tannehill. He almost got his QB killed. D+
WR Hartline, Gibson and especially Matthews ahd clutch receptions. Clay was excellent at times and dropped a crucial pass as well. backup TE Dion Sims caught his first career TD on a game winner with a one haded grab using his left hand. He almost gave me a heart attack. Wallcae was quiet and Miami didn't even try to go deep. I guess Atlanta closed the deep routes and by that opened things for Hartline (4 for 56 and a TD), Gibson (6 for 49) , Clay (4 for 40) and Matthews (4 for 42). B
OL They are just not playing very well, all of them as a unit. 5 sacks given up (2 were on Daniel Thomas) and countless hurries and hits. Tannehill din't have time to throw, not to mention long routes. The run blocking wasn't very good as well. As I said before the Dolphins had no business winning this game and that's a lot on the O-line. D
LB Let's be honest, the defnse played poorly. Who the hell is RB J. Rogers (18 for 86 yards) ? They made him look like the second coming of Barry Sanders. And Snelling ? (11 for 53) ? The Falcons had 97 yards rushing in the first half on their way to 146 yard day. And another TD gave up to a TE, This time a rookie... How in the hell can this team win ?? Well, they bent like Mary Lou Retton but they never broke giving up FGs instead of TDs and that was the difference. Misi was injured and left the game in the second half, Ellerbe was also injured. D+
DL Cam Wake was injured in the first half and did not return. Does anyone need more convincing that the Dolphins need Paul Soliai ? (how big is a NT when people like Randy Starks call you BIG as in BIG Paul ?). The Dolphins could not stop the run. It was embarassing. At one time the Falcons had a long drive with 8 or 9 straight rushes that all went for 6-20 yards each. Again the bend but not break philosophy but you can't live off that. Just an awful game for the front 7. Thank god for Tannehill and some very good catches by the WRs. No pressure as well. ZERO sacks of Matt Ryan. Z-E-R-O. D-
Secondary Patterson didn't play and it looks like Carroll always makes tackles after his guy catches the ball... Julio Jones jad 9 catches for 115 yards and Sneeling had 4 for 58 including a critical 34 yard catch and run. They, as the entire defense, played much better in the redzone. B-
Special teams This game was won on special teams. The Dolphins got back into the game (that looked lost at the time) with a Don Jones tackle that caused a fumble. A vicious hit, one of the best hits in years. Nobody had Jones making the 53 man roster and we were all surprised that he did. Well, he earned his spot on the roster with that game changing hit. He earned a place on the 53 even if he doesn't have another play all year because if not for that hit the Dolphins would have never won (stole) this game. God only knows how Denney came up with the ball (if I was a Falcons fan I'd be upset, let's put it that way). It seems Sturgis can kick FGs from the moon. Irleand not only went cheap with this draft pick but upgraded. Last year we had a problem at K and now he looks like a pro bowl player after 3 carrer games. How did he last all the way to round 5, really, how ? Who would have guessed it, a K well worth the pick.A
Coaching The Dolphins stole the game. Atlanta outplyed the Dolphins on offense and defense (We will always have the Jones special teams tackle to fall back on). I did not understand the play calling at times because they just could not protect Tannehill (or run the ball) so why didn't they try other things ? At the end they beleived in their offense and were agressive (I knew they would throw the 1 yard TD but was still surprised when they did...). A great win, but to be honest we were a bit lucky... B
