Well. What. Do. You. Know.
I witnessed an NFL game in which the Miami Dolphins actually had a come back win this season. It came at the exact right time.
“Faith in the game,” is the motto of WORLDWIDEWEST.
It was a tale of two divides to a football game. One, the Dolphins offense looked like the worst in the NFL. The second, the Dolphins offense looked like they had a new identity especially with a running game I have been pleading to get involved all season.
Jay Cutler threw for two touchdowns, Cody Parkey kicked two insurance field goals to lead the Dolphins from a 17-point deficit and win over the Atlanta Falcons 20-17. It was not pretty going into the game. It was not pretty to start the game the bottom line is the Dolphins are 3-2.
“We don’t care about what nobody say. It is about what we say,” Defensive end Cameron Wake stated. “What we say goes. We got a win coming back to Miami.”
Amen number 91. Four straight games with a sack for Wake.
Dolphins were down 17-0 in the first two quarters of the game. However, The Dolphins defense that gives this Miami team particularly the offense it’s lifeline shut out the dangerous Atlanta Falcons offense led by quarterback Matt Ryan in the final two quarters of the game. Dolphins’ offense scored 20 unanswered points.
“These guys are different hats man,” Head coach Adam Gase stated. “They have something in them. No matter what the score is. They will battle.”
I wish I was in the locker room at the half to hear Gase speak in that locker room.
It does not get better than beating the NFC champions in Atlanta.
Cutler, who struggled in his first four games, completed 19 of 33 for 151 yards, including touchdown passes to Jarvis Landry and Kenny Stills. The Jay Train finally left the station this season. Jay Ajayi had a big game on the ground, rushing for 130 yards on 26 carries.
“A lot of the stuff we were doing was self-inflicted. That was some of the stories in the other games,” Ajayi stated. “ This week was about us keeping our emotions in check and staying together.”
I emphasize 26 carries for Ajayi. The opening drive for the Dolphins in the second half was a long one where Ajayi received five touches. And it increased in the drives after. Don’t want to say I told you in past columns, however. The running game changed the entire complexion of the game.
At halftime, I was ready for Matt Moore to start the second half. Realistically, Jay Cutler is slightly the better quarterback. Miami is in the mix because they have a running game and one of the top defenses in the NFL. Cutler was intercepted twice however he has been improving in an offense that came in as one of the worst.
“We can’t be satisfied with this game,” Cutler stated. “We have to take a look at it and fix our mistakes. And we have to move on. This is a one-week business.
Cutler showed fire and heart in this game. Gase stood by his starting quarterback. This was the first time in Cutler’s 144 game career that he had a comeback win with a deficit as large as 17 points.
Miami defense came in ranked 8th in total defense. They bent in the first half but did not break. In the Falcons last drive to tie the game with a field goal to tie or win with a touchdown Cordrea Tankersley got a hand on a pass intended for Austin Hooper and Reshed Jones swooped in to make the game-clinching interception with 39 seconds remaining in his hometown. Miami’s defense is one of two teams (Buffalo Bills) not to allow more than 20 points in a game this season.
Their defensive line including their backups is deep for this team. Moreover becoming one of the best in the NFL. They were able to sack Ryan twice and have several tackles for losses.
Dolphins put one of the biggest controversies behind them with this win.
Kenny Stills, Michael Thomas, and Julius Thomas stayed in the tunnel as the National anthem played. Miami returns home to face the New York Jets for the second time this season. The AFC East rivals met in Week 2, with the Jets winning 20-6.
