Another week of the NFL season can be crossed off as we enter the month of November in what seems to feel like a season that has been flying by. 

While some teams don’t want the season to go by, others are desperately praying to get it over with because things have not been going well at all. 

The Arizona Cardinals, Chicago Bears, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers and New England Patriots, just to name a few, are teams that fall under the category of wishing there was a skip button to the end of the season. 

The Cardinals hold the league’s longest losing streak after they lost their fifth game in a row against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday but after starting out their season 2-1, all of a sudden, the Packers have lost four-straight games and are 2-5. Green Bay’s quarterback, Jordan Love, has really struggled trying to fill Aaron Rodgers’ shoes as he completed just 24 of his 41 passes for 229 yards and an interception in the loss to the Vikings. 

The Bears and Giants are dealing with quarterback injuries and are forced to play their second and even third string quarterback which, most of the time, doesn’t end well. Chicago got blown against the Chargers 30-13 and the Giants lost a heartbreaker to the Jets in an extremely ugly game for both teams. 

Have the Titans found their quarterback of the future? Will Levis got his first career start on Sunday and it looked like he was playing against high schoolers. The rookie out of Kentucky threw for 238 yards and four touchdowns while allowing star receiver Deandre Hopkins to finally have his best game in a Titans uniform. Hopkins had four catches for 128 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-23 win against the Falcons. 

Minnesota’s injury woes continue as they lost quarterback Kirk Cousins for the rest of the season due to a torn achilles he suffered against the Packers. It is absolutely devastating for Minnesota because they looked like a team that finally found their groove after beating the 49ers last week and then going into Lambeau Field and making a statement. Cousins was also having a very good year throwing for 2,331 yards and 18 touchdowns. It will be interesting to see how this Vikings team will fare going forward. 

The San Francisco 49ers have completely fallen off the face of the Earth. What has happened to them? They started out the year 5-0 and have now lost three games in a row. Quarterback Brock Purdy all of a sudden looks like “Mr. Irrelevant” and that Niners defense that is often highly praised has completely disappeared. Don’t look now but the Seattle Seahawks are in the lead in the NFC West division and if San Francisco doesn’t get it together, their hopes for a division title can easily get out of reach. 

And now we can talk about the fastest team on the planet. The revamped ‘Greatest Show on Turf’. The 6-2 Miami Dolphins. 

The Dolphins hosted the Patriots on Sunday in what some feared to be a trap game for Miami as they would face the Chiefs in their next game in Germany. But, Miami looked locked in from the get go. 

Tua Tagovailoa continued to make his case for the MVP as he threw for 324 yards and three touchdowns. Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle each had over 100 receiving yards. Hill had eight catches for 112 yards and a touchdown while Waddle caught seven passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. 

But even with all the noise offensively, the story of the day was the return of All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. In his Dolphins debut, Ramsey recorded an interception and showed how much of an impact he can make on this defense for Miami. 

Oh, and Tagovailoa is 6-0 in his career against Bill Belichick. So yeah, there’s that. 

Below are my power rankings for Week 9.

32. Arizona Cardinals (1 – 7) 

Last Week: 31

Result: Lost vs. Ravens 31-24

31. Green Bay Packers (2 – 5)

Last Week: 30

Result: Lost vs. Vikings 24-10

30. Carolina Panthers (1 – 6)

Last Week: 32

Result: Won vs. Texans 15-13

29. Chicago Bears (2 – 6)

Last Week: 27

Result: Lost at Chargers 30-13

28. New York Giants (2 – 6)

Last Week: 25

Result: Lost vs. Jets 13-10

27. Washington Commanders (3 – 5)

Last Week: 26

Result: Lost vs. Eagles 38-31

26. New England Patriots (2 – 6)

Last Week: 24

Result: Lost at Dolphins 31-17

25. Indianapolis Colts (3 – 5)

            Last Week: 23

Result: Lost vs. Saints 38-27

24. Los Angeles Rams (3 – 5)

Last Week: 19

Result: Lost at Cowboys 43-20

23. Las Vegas Raiders (3 – 5)

Last Week: 21

Result: Lost at Lions 26-14

22. Houston Texans (3 – 4)

Last Week: 16

Result: Lost at Panthers 15-13

21. Tennessee Titans (3 – 4)

Last Week: 29

Result: Won vs. Falcons 28-23

20. Denver Broncos (3 – 5)

Last Week: 28

Result: Won vs. Chiefs 24-9

19. Atlanta Falcons (4 – 4)

Last Week: 17

Result: Lost at Titans 28-23

18. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3 – 4)

            Last Week: 18

Result: Lost at Bills 24-18

17. New Orleans Saints (4 – 4)

Last Week: 22

Result: Won at Colts 38-27

16. Los Angeles Chargers (3 – 4)

Last Week: 20

Result: Won vs. Bears 30-13

15. Pittsburgh Steelers (4 – 3)

Last Week: 13

Result: Lost vs. Jaguars 20-10

14. Minnesota Vikings (4 – 4)

Last Week: 15

Result: Won at Packers 24-10

13. New York Jets (4 – 3)

Last Week: 14

Result: Won at Giants 13-10

12. Cleveland Browns (4 – 3)

Last Week: 9

Result: Lost at Seahawks 24-20

11. San Francisco 49ers (5 – 3)

Last Week: 5

Result: Lost vs. Bengals 31-17

10. Seattle Seahawks (5 – 2)

Last Week: 12

Result: Won vs. Browns 24-20

9. Buffalo Bills (5 – 3)

Last Week: 10

Result: Won vs. Buccaneers 24-18

8. Cincinnati Bengals (4 – 3)

Last Week: 11

Result: Won at 49ers 31-17

7. Dallas Cowboys (5 – 2)

Last Week: 8

Result: Won vs. Rams 43-20

6. Jacksonville Jaguars (6 – 2)

Last Week: 6

Result: Won at Steelers 20-10

5. Detroit Lions (6 – 2)

Last Week: 7

Result: Won vs. Raiders 26-14

4. Kansas City Chiefs (6 – 2)

Last Week: 2

Result: Lost at Broncos 24-9

3. Baltimore Ravens (6 – 2)

Last Week: 3

Result: Won at Cardinals 31-24

2. Miami Dolphins (6 – 2)

Last Week: 4

Result: Won vs. Patriots 31-17

1. Philadelphia Eagles (7 – 1)

Last Week: 1

Result: Won at Commanders 38-31

There are no more unbeaten teams after a wild Week 7 of the NFL season. I repeat: no more unbeaten teams. 

What does that mean? Well, the 1972 Miami Dolphins can pop the champagne as they celebrate another year of being the only team in NFL history to have a perfect season. 

Both the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles lost their first games this year on the road and their quarterbacks did not play well. 

Of course, the 49ers could easily still be undefeated if their kicker, Jake Moody, cashed in on a 41-yard game winning field goal, but that’s not how the story ended for San Francisco. It’s worth taking into account that offensive stars Christian McCaffrey and Deebo Samuel had to exit the game due to injury but Cleveland did what they could and kept attacking that stingy Niner defense.

The Eagles were hoping to start out 6-0 as they faced off against the Jets on the road in East Rutherford, but their offense looked lost. They couldn’t get anything going with the run game as running back D’Andre Swift had tallied just 18 yards on 10 attempts. Quarterback Jalen Hurts did not look comfortable as he threw three interceptions and was sacked five times even with the Jets missing their star cornerback Sauce Gardner. But it did not matter because Robert Saleh’s defense was up for the task and played lights out to hand Philly their first loss of the year. 

Flipping it over to the rest of the league, a couple of highly talented teams in the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs had some ugly wins on their home turf against subpar opponents. But at the end of the day, a win is a win in the stat sheet I guess. 

The Jacksonville Jaguars blew out the Indianapolis Colts 37-20 as Jacksonville’s defense forced four turnovers that included three picks against quarterback Gardner Minshew. 

Baltimore snuck out with a victory against the Titans in London while the Texans got a much-needed win at home against the Saints. 

The Detroit Lions continue to win football games while Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys were able to fend off the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football.

The Miami Dolphins were in a little bit of trouble against the Carolina Panthers after finding themselves down 14-0, but there was no panic with the best offense in the league. 

Raheem Mostert had a huge day running for 115 yards and two touchdowns, Tyreek Hill had six catches for 163 yards and a touchdown and Tua Tagovailoa threw for 262 yards and three touchdowns. Miami ended up winning 42-21 and are 5-1 on the season, their best start in 20 years. 

Below are my Week 7 power rankings.

32. Carolina Panthers (0 – 6) 

Last Week: 32

Result: Lost at Dolphins 42-21

31. New England Patriots (1 – 5)

Last Week: 31

Result: Lost at Raiders 21-17

30. Arizona Cardinals (1 – 5)

Last Week: 29

Result: Lost at Rams 26-9 

29. Chicago Bears (1 – 5)

Last Week: 26

Result: Lost vs. Vikings 19-13

28. Denver Broncos (1 – 5)

Last Week: 30

Result: Lost at Chiefs 19-8

27. New York Giants (1 – 5)

Last Week: 28

Result: Lost at Bills 14-9

26. Tennessee Titans (2 – 4)

Last Week: 22

Result: Lost vs. Ravens 24-16

25. Green Bay Packers (2 – 3)

            Last Week: 25

Result: Bye Week

24. Minnesota Vikings (2 – 4)

Last Week: 24

Result: Won at Beats 19-13

23. Atlanta Falcons (3 – 3)

Last Week: 19

Result: Lost vs. Commanders 24-16

22. Indianapolis Colts (3 – 3)

Last Week: 13

Result: Lost at Jaguars 37-20

21. New Orleans Saints (3 – 3)

Last Week: 12

Result: Lost at Texans 20-13

20. Washington Commanders (3 – 3)

Last Week: 27

Result: Won at Falcons 24-16

19. Las Vegas Raiders (3 – 3)

Last Week: 18

Result: Won vs. Patriots 2-17

18. Los Angeles Rams (3 – 3)

            Last Week: 20

Result: Won vs. Cardinals 26-9

17. Houston Texans (3 – 3)

Last Week: 23

Result: Won vs. Saints 20-13

16. Pittsburgh Steelers (3 – 2)

Last Week: 16

Result: Bye Week

15. Los Angeles Chargers (2 – 3)

Last Week: 14

Result: Lost vs. Cowboys 20-17

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3 – 2)

Last Week: 11

Result: Lost vs. Lions 20-6

13. New York Jets (3 – 3)

Last Week: 21

Result: Won vs. Eagles 20-14

12. Seattle Seahawks (3 – 2)

Last Week: 8

Result: Lost at Bengals 17-13

11. Cincinnati Bengals (3 – 3)

Last Week: 15

Result: Won vs. Seahawks 17-13

10. Baltimore Ravens (4 – 2)

Last Week: 10

Result: Won at Titans 24-16

9. Cleveland Browns (3 – 2)

Last Week: 17

Result: Won vs. 49ers 19-17

8. Buffalo Bills (4 – 2)

Last Week: 6

Result: Won vs. Giants 14-9

7. Dallas Cowboys (4 – 2)

Last Week: 7

Result: Won at Chargers 20-17

6. Jacksonville Jaguars (4 – 2)

Last Week: 9

Result: Won vs. Colts 37-20

5. Philadelphia Eagles (5 – 1)

Last Week: 2

Result: Lost at Jets 20-14

4. Detroit Lions (5 – 1)

Last Week: 5

Result: Won at Buccaneers 20-6

3. San Francisco 49ers (5 – 1)

Last Week: 1

Result: Lost at Browns 19-17

2. Kansas City Chiefs (5 – 1)

Last Week: 4

Result: Won vs. Broncos 19-8

1. Miami Dolphins (5 – 1)

Last Week: 3

Result: Won vs. Panthers 42-21

The Disappointing Fangio Defense: 

In what has been a challenging start to the season for the Miami Dolphins, the performance of their defense, led by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, has been a major letdown. After four weeks of play, the Dolphins’ defense finds itself at the bottom of the league, ranking worst in success rate, second-worst in passing success, and third-worst in rush EPA and success. To make matters worse, they sit at the 21st spot in passing EPA and a dismal 26th in EPA/play. Against the Buffalo Bills, this defense allowed quarterback Josh Allen to have a field day without applying sufficient pressure, unveiling effective blitz packages, or really making him feel uncomfortable in the slightest. The decision to leave second-year UDFA Kader Kohou on an island against All-Pro WR Stefon Diggs backfired spectacularly, as Diggs racked up three touchdowns and 120 receiving yards, with two of those touchdowns coming in the first half. The absence of halftime adjustments compounded the defensive woes, underlining the urgent need for significant improvements in Miami’s defensive game plan.

Abandoning the Run Game: 

While it’s understandable that the Dolphins leaned heavily on their passing game, given the early deficit, Coach McDaniel conceded that he should have stuck with the run game more. Rookie De’Von Achane, a bright spot, found the end zone twice and displayed promise. However, the Bills’ defensive strategy of employing cover two effectively limited deep passing opportunities for Miami’s wide receivers. Opponents are increasingly adapting to Miami’s high-flying offense by focusing on preventing deep passes. This necessitates a strategic adjustment in the Dolphins’ game plan to counter these defensive tactics.

Concerns on the Offensive Line

After three nearly flawless weeks, the Dolphins’ offensive line encountered a considerable setback, surrendering a total of four sacks to the Bills. This marked a significant departure from the mere one sack allowed in the first three weeks of the season. The absence of center Connor Williams forced the Dolphins to thrust Liam Eichenberg into the center position, where he faced a challenging day. Eichenberg’s struggles not only affected the offensive line but also contributed to LT Terron Armstead’s injury. An unfortunate collision with Armstead’s knee forced him to exit the game prematurely. Tua Tagovailoa found himself under constant pressure, and it was evident that he was rattled. Miami must urgently address this concern at the center position to ensure the protection of Tagovailoa’s health.

Injuries Taking Their Toll

The Dolphins were dealt a harsh blow with the loss of Terron Armstead, expected to be sidelined for weeks, is a significant setback. The unavailability of LB Jaelan Phillips and C Connor Williams due to injuries further exacerbated issues, impacting both the pass-rushing and pass-protection aspects of Miami’s game plan. These injuries disrupted Miami’s strategy and undoubtedly contributed to their struggles on the field.

A Shot at Redemption

Defeats may sting, but they also provide the opportunity for redemption. In the grand finale of the regular season, the Dolphins will host the Bills—a team they have a peculiar knack for defeating at home, even if Buffalo’s backyard proves elusive. Could it be for the division title? After all, a win in Miami is worth two in Buffalo, isn’t it? If the Dolphins aspire to dethrone the Bills and crown themselves AFC East champions, there’s a captivating journey ahead and a lot of work to be done.

The Miami Dolphins opened their 2023 campaign with an electrifying victory, outlasting the Los Angeles Chargers 36-34 in a thrilling showdown. Here are five key takeaways from this Week 1 clash:

1. Tua Tagovailoa Returns in Style

After an arduous nine-month wait since his last meaningful game due to a season-ending concussion in December 2022, Tua Tagovailoa made an impressive comeback. Showing no signs of rust, Tagovailoa’s performance was nothing short of spectacular. He completed 28 of 45 passes for a staggering 466 yards. Notably, a crucial 47-yard connection with Tyreek Hill on a pivotal third-and-10 in the late stages of the game set the stage for a game-deciding four-yard touchdown pass to Hill. Tagovailoa’s resilience and skill were on full display.

2. Vic Fangio’s Timely Defensive Adjustments

The Dolphins’ defense faced a stern test throughout the game, struggling to contain the Chargers’ offensive prowess. However, it was Vic Fangio’s late-game adjustments that turned the tide. Fangio’s strategic blitzes on consecutive plays disrupted the Chargers’ offense, leading to a Justin Herbert intentional grounding and a key sack by Zach Sieler. Justin Bethel and Jaelan Phillips combined for a pivotal game-ending sack. While not without its challenges, Fangio’s timely defensive tactics ultimately delivered the stops required for victory.

3. Overcoming Costly Turnovers

Overcoming adversity is a hallmark of a resilient team, and the Dolphins demonstrated just that. Despite turning the ball over twice within the 5-yard line, they refused to be discouraged. The first blunder occurred early in the game when Tagovailoa and Connor Williams mishandled a center-quarterback exchange. Later, an ill-advised pass by Tagovailoa resulted in an interception by J.C. Jackson. The Dolphins’ potent offense on Sunday proved capable of surmounting these setbacks.

4. J.C. Jackson’s Unforgettable Play

In a rare sequence, a drive that commenced with a touchback and less than 10 seconds left in a half concluded with a successful field goal. This remarkable turn of events was made possible by a crucial play from J.C. Jackson, who drew a penalty by interfering with Erik Ezukanma. Jason Sanders capitalized on the extra play, nailing a 41-yard field goal. However, Jackson’s challenging day continued as Tyreek Hill burned him on a 35-yard touchdown pass later in the third quarter.

5. Concerns in Dolphins’ Run Defense

The Dolphins’ defense faced challenges in stopping the run, with several alarming moments during the game. Notable among these was Austin Ekeler’s 55-yard dash through a gaping hole created by a Chargers’ offensive line that appeared five yards wide. Furthermore, the Chargers executed an 11-play, 75-yard touchdown drive without completing a single pass. Allowing 243 yards on 40 rushing attempts, including three touchdowns, raised concerns, especially considering that the Chargers’ rushing offense ranked 30th in yards per carry and yards per game in 2022. Improvement in run defense is imperative to ease the burden on Tagovailoa in the competitive AFC East.

Offensive Line’s Redemption

One of the most significant points of redemption in this game was the performance of the Miami Dolphins’ offensive line. Often criticized in recent times, the offensive line stepped up admirably. Despite uncertainties leading up to the season opener, the unit collectively delivered an outstanding performance. Players like Austin Jackson, Liam Eichenberg, and Kendall Lamm assumed key roles, filling in for injured teammates. Most notably, the offensive line succeeded in protecting Tua Tagovailoa, offering him the necessary time for his quick releases. Impressively, the offensive line kept formidable Chargers’ defensive ends Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack at bay, not conceding a single sack. While not without its initial challenges, such as Connor Williams’ snapping issues, the offensive line’s overall performance showcased significant improvement. These developments bode well for the Dolphins as they look to establish a more formidable presence upfront.

The Miami Dolphins’ Week 1 victory not only highlighted their offensive firepower and resilience but also illuminated areas for potential defensive improvement. With Tua Tagovailoa back in the mix and an evolving offensive line, the Dolphins are poised for a promising season as they navigate the competitive landscape ahead.

The Dolphins will take the field tonight in Jacksonville, in what will be their final preseason matchup. According to HC Mike McDaniel, he expects to play starters for anywhere between “more than a series, and less than a half”. It’s also expected that the Jaguars will play their top unit for most of the first half. 

While the impact of the starting units isn’t much more than a dress-rehearsal for the regular season, there are still important things to keep an eye on. NFL teams must trim their rosters to 53 by Tuesday’s deadline, so this will serve as a last-chance effort for bubble players, and camp positional battles to potentially find resolution. 

Most of the Dolphins roster looks pretty set in stone, but these are the things I’ll be keeping my eye on at the 7pm kickoff: 

Will the Dolphins keep a fourth running back? If so, then who? 

Barring a Jonathan Taylor trade, current running backs Raheem Mostert, Jeff Wilson Jr, and Devon Achane, look to be locks for the final 53. The other three backs, Salvon Ahmed, Myles Gaskin, and Chris Brooks have all contributed strong preseason performances, so if McDaniel decides to keep a fourth it won’t be an easy decision. 

Gaskin, now in his fifth season with the Dolphins, is the longest tenured runner on the roster. The former seventh-round pick is the most polished runner of the three, and his scrappy nature is a big part of why he’s lasted in Miami this long. 

Ahmed’s skill set may be a bit redundant with rookie third-round pick Devon Achane on the roster, but after Achane suffered a shoulder injury last week, Ahmed could be safe to make the initial roster. 

Undrafted rookie Chris Brooks is the most intriguing of the group. At 6 ‘1”, 223 lbs Brooks is the biggest and most powerful runner on the team, and has run with force and vision in the previous exhibitions. It will be interesting to see how many snaps he gets against the Jaguars, as he still appears to be a long shot behind the incumbents. Even if he doesn’t survive final-cuts, he will likely be a player that Miami looks to add to their practice squad. 

Tight ends Durham Smythe and Tyler Kroft look to be safe, but which tight end will step up to claim the third spot?

The answer to this could very well come down to which player the team feels could be a contributor on special teams. Eric Saubert got some h-back, and special teams reps last week against the Texans, but has largely been unimpressive throughout campo and the exhibition season. Rookie sixth-round pick Elijah Higgins brings some upside to the team with his receiving ability, and had some good run-blocking reps between the first two games. He is raw, having recently transitioned from his college position at wide receiver, he may be someone they look to stash on the practice squad. 

Tanner Conner may be the name to watch. After a standout performance in camp last year as an undrafted rookie, Conner made the team, but failed to see much playing time behind Mike Gesicki and Smythe. He has missed nearly all of training camp while on the physically-unable-to-perform (PUP) list, but was activated this past week. He doesn’t have much time to make an impression, so today’s game could be pivotal if Conner hopes to extend his stay on Miami’s active roster. 

Current undrafted rookie Julian Hill has flashed throughout the offseason, and could have an outside chance, particularly if Miami decides to keep four tight ends. 

Where is Robbie Chosen? 

Chosen was an exciting addition this off-season, and flashed his speed in OTA’s, but he’s had a surprisingly quiet training camp. It no longer feels like he’s a lock to make the roster, especially when River Cracraft can play on special teams. If McDaniel chooses to only keep five receivers, Chosen may be on the outside looking in, with Braxton Berrios, Cedrick Wilson, and Erik Ezukanma securely on the roster. 

With Robert Jones hurt, and Lester Cotten missing time, has Isaiah Wynn locked up the left guard spot, and how many snaps does Liam Eichenberg see in his return to action? 

It’ll be interesting to see if Eichenberg receives any snaps with the first-team. He was clearly losing the left guard battle before being sidelined with an injury. I don’t know that there’s much he can do to be the opening day starter, but a strong performance could be the kick-starter his confidence needs after a rough training camp. Right now it looks like Wynn has claimed the starting job, but it’s important he continues to play strong after an impressive camp by Lester Cotton. 

The Dolphins have a slew of defensive backs that could all make their case for the final 53, but Miami can’t keep everyone. Xavien Howard, Kader Kohou, Jevon Holland, Cam Smith, Eli Apple, DeShon Elliott, and Brandon Jones are all locks to make the team. Noah Igbinoghene is likely to make the team, as he’s on the final year of his rookie deal. After them, there’s a lot of intriguing young players, like Trill Williams, Verone McKinley, Noah Igbinoghene, Keidron Smith, and Bryce Thompson, that could all do themselves a huge favor with a strong performance tonight in Jacksonville. 

Special teams standout Elijah Campbell has probably locked up a spot, but another core special teams player may be in doubt. After missing a chunk of time with an injury, Keion Crossen returned to practice this week, but with the depth in the secondary, he may be on the outside looking in. 

Can any of the young players earn their spot with a solid showing on special teams? 

Undrafted rookies like linebackers Mitchell Agude, Garrett Nelson, and Aubrey Miller Jr, all have a real chance to make the team if they can prove to be of value on special teams. All three have flashed in different parts of the offseason, but Nelson and Agude have really turned it up in the exhibition games. It wouldn’t be a shock if one of them earns one of the final spots on Miami’s 53.