By Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson
After falling behind 14-0, the Dolphins soon realized that, even struggling NFL teams like the Panthers with talented but inexperienced Bryce Young at quarterback, a lack of focus can prove disastrous. Thankfully, the Dolphins, led by the intrepid Tua Tagovailoa and the electrifying Tyreek Hill, must have had an epiphany because the next 35 points were all scored by this prolific offensive machine, capable of lightning strikes for touchdowns before you can blink an eye. So it’s probably more prudent to get your refreshments before the game starts, at halftime or after the game. I guarantee some of you missed Tyreek’s 41 yard TD reception, after which he firmly snatched a phone from an attendant’s hand to personally video himself doing a celebratory back flip. His effort, though not completely successful, thrilled those nearby and complemented his consistency after 6 games. Sunday, his stat line included 6 receptions for 163 yards and 1 touchdown. Any doubts about Tua not being an elite quarterback should be put to rest . When given the protection, he is deadly accurate, reads defensive schemes quickly and throws the prettiest ball in the league. Tua threw for 262 yards, 3 touchdowns with a a passer rating of 126.0, excellent by today’s standard. Raheem Mostert scored 3 touchdowns, 2 on runs and 1 reception for a score. At 31 years old, he hasn’t slowed down much, reminding us of his Big 10 sprint championships in the 100 and 200 meters at Purdue. Salvon Ahmed, running back, scored the Dolphins final touchdown on a tenacious 8 yard run, making the final score 42-21. The Dolphins gained a total of 429 against the Panthers, solidifying their status as one of the top offensive teams in the NFL.
Miami’s next opponent is the Super Bowl runner up Philadelphia Eagles on the road Sunday night on NBC. This game will reveal if the Dolphins are as good as we believe them to be. The Eagles, upset by Dolphins division opponent and rival, the New York Jets, causes one to believe that the Eagles will be prepared to play, seeking to avoid two consecutive losses. There are also compelling elements in game based on the history between Eagles signal caller Jalen Hurts and Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, both of whom played for Alabama, replacing each other as the Tide’s starter after performance concerns or injury.
Both teams are dealing with injuries: the Eagles’ Lane Johnson and Darius Slay, while the Dolphins have placed 2 prominent players on IR – De’Von Achane and Terrod Armstead. However, I take comfort in knowing that offensively and defensively, the Miami Dolphins overcome and improve weekly.
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