The Dolphins acquired a uncooked deal when the NFL moved up subsequent week’s recreation at Buffalo. Having the sport moved to Saturday evening definitely received’t assist Miami’s preparation or well being/restoration. It additionally doesn’t assist that the NFL moved this Sunday’s recreation towards the Chargers to an 8:20 p.m. kickoff.
But the identical factor might be stated each week in reference to Thursday Night Football. The present should go on. No excuses.
If the Dolphins (8-4) maintain enterprise, that means profitable their subsequent two video games, on the Los Angeles Chargers (6-6) and towards the Bills (9-3), they’re again in first place within the AFC East. Both the Dolphins and Bills would have 10-4 data, assuming the Bills defeat the New York Jets this week, however the Dolphins would have two victories over Buffalo.
Coach Mike McDaniel likes to say adversity is a chance.
Well, alternative is knocking. And alternative doesn’t have a Complaint Department.
The Dolphins, within the midst of a grueling three-game highway journey, are spending this week in Los Angeles after final week’s lackluster loss at San Francisco (as a result of it makes extra sense than coming again to South Florida between back-to-back video games in California).
By the way in which, the early forecast requires a excessive temperature of 34 levels in Buffalo with a low of 28 levels and a 24 p.c likelihood of rain. No snow, no ice. So, for now, it’ll be seasonal, not excessive.
Having the Buffalo recreation “flexed,” a time period that comes from the NFL’s coverage of “flexible” scheduling, to Saturday evening is the results of the Dolphins being profitable and widespread. Simply put, the eagerly anticipated Dolphins-Bills recreation is large. It’s why the NFL has versatile scheduling, so it might higher place late-season video games to prime time to fulfill followers’ pursuits. OK, it’s actually to fulfill the NFL’s monetary curiosity, however no matter.
People wish to see quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, speedster Tyreek Hill and McDaniel’s inventive offense.
The Dolphins are intriguing. Look on the shift to a Saturday evening recreation towards the Bills as the value of fame.
On a facet notice, Buffalo followers received’t wish to hear the scheduling complaints.
The Bills needed to play three video games in a 12-day span between Nov. 20 and Dec. 1, and not one of the video games have been at residence. The Bills received all three video games.
Buffalo’s Nov. 20 recreation towards Cleveland was moved to Detroit due to a snowstorm in western New York. Buffalo received, 31-23. Then the Bills went again to Detroit 4 days later, on Thanksgiving, and beat Detroit, 28-25. In the method, the Bills turned the primary staff to play two video games in 5 or fewer days on the highway in the identical stadium and win each video games.
The following week, which was final week, the Bills defeated New England, 24-10, on Thursday evening to enhance to 9-3 and take sole possession of first place within the AFC East.
The Dolphins want an analogous efficiency.
A victory Sunday towards the Chargers units the stage for a showdown at Buffalo.
A loss towards the Chargers units the stage for one thing simply in need of a must-win recreation at Buffalo. Lose three in a row and the season takes on a a lot totally different look. The identical might be stated for profitable two out of three.
You knew this tough three-game highway stretch towards the 49ers, Chargers and Bills can be a season-defining second for the Dolphins. That second has arrived, with an added sense of urgency and significance contemplating the Dolphins misplaced to the 49ers, 33-17.
But the scheduling considerations, that are legit, is akin to listening to a different staff’s harm woes, climate woes, journey woes or anything. No one cares. Worse, nobody remembers, or cares to recollect.
It’s a bottom-line business. Did you make the playoffs? It’s a sure or no query. Fans are extra involved about delving into the the explanation why, however nobody else cares.
And so it goes with the Dolphins. No one cares concerning the brief week heading into subsequent week’s recreation at Buffalo, the harm to beginning left deal with Terron Armstead, or anything.
The Dolphins’ season will finally boil right down to a sure or no query — Did you make the playoffs?
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Source: www.bostonherald.com
