Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel is 1-15 in the past 16 games against teams with winning records.

Pressure Point: Dolphins’ latest debacle more about incompetence than cold weather

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Unlike Thanksgiving leftovers, the Miami Dolphins’ 30-17 drubbing at Green Bay is as tough to swallow the day after as it was Thursday night before a national audience.

Because it was so predictable. And oh, so, familiar.

The longstanding narrative that the Dolphins can’t win in cold weather was reinforced. But it’s not so much about the temperature as it is about the time of year.

The Dolphins have been failing miserably under similar circumstances for years: in impactful games against top teams, on the road, late in the season, when typically it is cold.

Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t been able to shake the stigma of lack of big-game success. But even with the best quarterback they’ve ever had, the Dolphins couldn’t win these type of games.

Dan Marino was 8-17 against Jim Kelly and the Bills, including 0-3 in playoffs.

You’d think a serious football franchise would rise to the occasion, occasionally. But this high-stakes ineptitude has literally spanned decades, before the uniforms they wore Thursday night were considered throwbacks.

Dolphins manhandled by Packers

And it’s not always about being on the road in the cold. They lost the 2023 regular-season finale at home in ideal weather to the Bills with the AFC East title on the line. That earned them a trip to freezing Kansas City and another non-competitive first-round exit from the playoffs.

Sure, it was a tough assignment Thursday at frigid Lambeau Field off a short week. And it didn’t help that the first time the Dolphins got their hands on the ball they dropped it — muffed punt by Malik Washington that gifted the first touchdown a few plays later.

But this game was lost at the point of attack. The Packers simply mauled Miami.

The Dolphins couldn’t block and they couldn’t tackle. That will leave you on the wrong end of 30-17 every time.

The running game went nowhere — a mere 39 yards, average of 2.8 yards per carry — which has been a problem even in recent wins at home against bottom-feeding Raiders and Patriots. The backs had trouble just getting to the line of scrimmage.

Meanwhile, Dolphins defenders were getting carried by Packers running backs and receivers like sacks of mail, if they didn’t whiff on tackle attempts altogether.

Terrible tackling doomed Dolphins

The Dolphins had an ungodly 20 missed tackles. Twenty! That is unacceptable at any level of football.

Not sure how you blame that on the cold.

Nor the five sacks allowed, including on fourth-and-goal at the Green Bay 1 in the fourth quarter. They were also flagged for holding on that play, so it was doomed either way.

The Dolphins, playing to maintain slim playoff chances, showed no desperation or resolve. Their heads weren’t in the game either, evidenced by 10 penalties assessed for 75 yards.

The so-called second-half comeback bid was a mirage, the padded stat totals meaningless. Teams like the Dolphins don’t come back from 24-3 at halftime after being manhandled and embarrassed for 30 minutes on national TV by a top-tier opponent.

Dolphins’ playoff hopes all but dead

Likewise, spare us the flimsy mathematical possibilities that the 5-7 Dolphins could still make the playoffs if they win their final five games … and a cow jumps over the moon.

That would require winning two cold-weather games, albeit against the middling Jets and Browns. They also must play at Houston against the AFC South-leading Texans.

Here’s a glaring stat: the Dolphins are 0-4 this season against teams currently in playoff position and have been outscored by 58 points in those games.

That is a lot of 30-17 results, or thereabouts. But it’s nothing new. Last season the Dolphins were 1-6 against teams that went to the playoffs.

The Mike McDaniel era is simply continuing the serial incompetence that has spanned coaching staffs, front-office regimes and ownership since the last century.

Dolphins keep repeating mistakes

There was hope that the team profile would change when Bill Parcells was brought in to run the football operation after the 1-15 2007 season. Instead, Parcells gave us Tony Sparano, who was best known for punting and kicking field goals.

What they needed was Tony Soprano. Less of mister nice guy and more of a strong-armed approach.

That hasn’t changed. The final word on the latest frigid fiasco was linebacker Jordyn Brooks saying late Thursday, “I thought we were soft. Simple as that, I thought we were soft today. I don’t know if guys were too cold. … I don’t know what it was. I feel like the elements played a part in how we played as a group, and that was the result that we got.”

It is a result Dolfans know all too well. With no reason to expect improvement any time soon.

This franchise misses on too many draft picks, then has to overspend on free agents to try to make up for it. That keeps them tight on the salary cap and unable to invest in the depth of talent needed to succeed.

What you get is a 30-17 comeuppance, time and again.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

‘I’m sure that I’ll soak it in a little bit’: Ekman-Larsson, Lorentz, Stolarz Receive Stanley Cup Rings in Return to Florida

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Memories of Florida’s 2024 Stanley Cup win flooded back on Wednesday morning at the Baptist Health IcePlex with the return of three Cup champions. 

 

With the Toronto Maple Leafs in town for their Wednesday night matchup against the Panthers, Anthony Stolarz, Steven Lorentz, and Oliver Ekman-Larsson reunited with their former teammates — while also receiving their Stanley Cup rings. 

 

The remaining Panthers all received their rings the night before the season began. Rather than mailing over rings to the players who are no longer on the team, the organization decided to wait until they could receive them in person. 

 

“It means a lot for all of us to get the chance to just hug everybody and say a few words,” Ekman-Larsson said. “It kind of went by quick — Game 7 — we partied for a week and then had to make a decision on what’s next. To get this chance to see and talk to everybody, that made it better in a lot of ways.”

 

On Wednesday, all the remaining members of the Panthers’ Cup team stayed back after their morning skate to welcome back their former teammates and present them with the rings. 

 

“We got to see everybody, coaches, staff and the guys,” Lorentz said. “Billy (Zito) gave us a little presentation, it was really nice. All the guys stuck around… the boys were all lined up and said hi to use three. It’s just a little thing but that goes a long way. It says a lot about their character.”

 

When the teams hit the ice for tonight’s game, it will be the first time any player from last season’s Cup team returns to Amerant Bank Arena in an opposing team’s jersey.

 

 It’ll also be the first time they played in Sunrise since Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.

 

“I said this morning I didn’t really think about it and then it just hits you,” Oliver Ekman-Larsson said when asked about returning to Florida. “I’m sure that I’ll soak it in a little bit and then when the puck drops, hopefully I’ll be dialled in.”

 

The Panthers are in the middle of a rough slump — losing its last four games and dropping six of the last seven.​​ The mood has been anything but joyous over the past two weeks in South Florida, however the return of a few former champions lightened the mood just a bit on Wednesday

 

“These guys roll in and you get all this flood of memories because all three of them had just huge impacts on what we did,” said Panthers head coach Paul Maurice. “You have these great memories that you don’t live in everyday and then you get this awesome reminder.” 

 

“You get these nice little reminders of a very special time in your life,” he added. 

 

Anthony Stolarz is projected to start in goal tonight for the Leafs against his former team and former goalie partner, Sergei Bobrovsky. 

 

“He was unbelievable for us, he was playing his heart out,” Panthers forward Carter Verhaeghe said of Stolarz. “He’s been awesome this year too (for Toronto). He definitely just needed a little bit of a chance and I guess he got that.” 

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: No Giannis, no problem for the Bucks getting a clutch time win versus the Heat in Miami

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The Heat failed to complete a 22-point comeback against the Milwaukee Bucks minus their All-Star freak, Giannis Antetokounmpo. His absence was no issue because Damian Lillard wasted coverages, and the rest of the Bucks converted 41% of their hoisted treys, as Erik Spoelstra was outcoached by Laurence Fishburne. 

 

First, Lillard led the stampede, draining four 3-pointers and a five-foot shot in the opening quarter. Through seven-and-a-half minutes, he had 17 points as the Heat had 13.

 

On the other side, close-range attempts were bricked, and the threes weren’t falling.

 

Within a few minutes into the second quarter, the Bucks ran up a 15-point lead. The Heat’s offense wasn’t the problem in this frame, as it took 15 free throws and made nine of 16 shots. The protections were lit up further by eight 3-pointers supplied by Lillard, Brook Lopez plus four other Bucks. 

 

At halftime, the Heat was down 51-65. The crew had 22 paint points, one on the break, two via second chances, eight off turnovers and 13 from the bench.

 

The Bucks had 10 paint points, nine on the break, none on extra tries, 12 off turnovers and 20 from the reserves. 

 

Out of intermission, the visitors raised the lead to 22 points within a few minutes into the period. Next, the Heat’s defense intensified by 20°, permitting the Bucks 33% of attempted treys in the third quarter. 

 

Jimmy Butler ate into the deficit with three fastbreak buckets and three freebies. And Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson connected on four 3-pointers in nine attempts to cut the score to 85-80 in favor of the visitors. 

 

In the fourth quarter, the defense was strict, too, allowing 27.3% of Milwaukee’s shots to drop. Lillard missed both his tries in eight minutes and Gary Trent Jr. was shut down as well. Yet, the guests added a cushion of five digits at the line.

 

On the other side, Terry Rozier erupted for 13 points with no misses on a drive-by and four deep jumpers.

 

But when the Heat was down 103-106 with a second left, Rozier took too long to fire after the inbound because he took a dribble.

 

The Heat lost 103-106, dropping them to 1-2 in Emirates Cup play and 7-8 for the regular season. The team had 46 paint points, 13 on the break, nine via second chances, 17 off turnovers and 33 from the bench. 

 

The Bucks had 18 paint points, nine in the open court, five on extra tries, 16 off turnovers and 31 from the reserves. 

 

Observations:

 

1. Despite Lillard’s first-half rampage, an opportunity to bolster the record was lost. Playing down to the level of competition is reminiscent of last year’s squad.

 

2. Butler had one of his better performances of the season. Yet, Herro and Adebayo didn’t do enough around him- the former missed too many deep shots, and the latter didn’t throw his weight around enough in the paint in Giannis’ absence, finishing with four free throw attempts.

 

3. The Heat were outrebounded by three, yet we were careful with the ball, only committing eight giveaways.

 

4. Lillard had 25 points at intermission and 37 at the conclusion. Eight of 10 field goals were 3-pointers. 

 

5. Spoelstra ran out of patience with the understudy, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and played him 12 minutes because he was a liability on both sides.

6. The Heat missed seven free throws- Butler bricked two. Robinson, Adebayo, Herro, Rozier, and Pelle Larson missed one. Ball players don’t look professional failing on free throws.

For more info on the Heat, subscribe to Off The Floor.

Dolphins Dominate New England: Key Takeaways from the 34-15 Victory

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The Miami Dolphins showcased a complete team effort Sunday, dismantling the New England Patriots 34-15 in front of a roaring home crowd. Here’s a closer look at the standout performances and pivotal moments that defined the game.

Tagovailoa’s Commanding Presence

Tua Tagovailoa was in full control, mixing precision passing with smart decisions. His ability to spread the ball to multiple targets kept the Patriots’ defense on its heels all game. From pinpoint throws to De’Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle to managing the tempo, Tagovailoa reminded everyone why he’s the heart of this offense. His stat line—29 completions on 40 attempts for 317 yards and 4 touchdowns—speaks volumes about his leadership under center.

Achane Shines as a Versatile Threat

The Dolphins’ ground game wasn’t anything to write home about, but De’Von Achane proved his value as a dual-threat weapon. His first touchdown catch was a highlight-worthy moment, showcasing agility and field vision. Later, he exploited a coverage breakdown to secure his second score.

Jaylen Waddle: A Season-Defining Performance

Jaylen Waddle put together his most electric outing of the season, slicing through New England’s secondary with ease. His ability to gain separation and turn short passes into big gains echoed the explosiveness Miami fans grew accustomed to last year. Tight end Jonnu Smith added to the offensive fireworks, bulldozing through defenders for a gritty touchdown.

Offensive Line Holds Strong

Miami’s offensive line gave Tagovailoa the clean pocket he needed to excel. While run blocking remains inconsistent, the protection in passing situations was stellar. With time to operate, Tagovailoa made the Patriots pay.

Defensive Line Dictates the Game

Miami’s defensive front took control early, forcing the Patriots to play catch-up. Zach Sieler led the charge, nearly recovering a fumble before redeeming himself with a strip-sack that set up a key scoring drive. The dominance up front ensured New England could never find its rhythm.

Linebackers Bring the Heat

Rookie Chop Robinson continues to impress, recording another sack and providing consistent pressure. Anthony Walker and Jordyn Brooks were all over the field, combining for key tackles and a fumble recovery. Even with Walker leaving the game due to injury, his replacement, Tyrel Dodson, stepped up with a highlight-reel interception late in the fourth quarter.

Secondary Silences New England

The Patriots’ passing attack was virtually nonexistent, thanks to Miami’s disciplined secondary. Jalen Ramsey added a sack to his résumé, while Storm Duck filled in admirably for Kendall Fuller. The Dolphins’ defensive backs made a quiet day feel like a masterclass in suffocating coverage.

Coaching Brilliance

Head coach Mike McDaniel orchestrated a balanced attack, blending explosive plays with methodical drives. He reintroduced the deep ball, reigniting the offense’s identity while keeping the Patriots guessing. On defense, Anthony Weaver’s unit looked prepared for every wrinkle New England threw their way.

A Team Hitting Its Stride

This was more than just another win for Miami; it was a statement. With three straight victories and the offense firing on all cylinders, the Dolphins are building momentum heading into a pivotal Thanksgiving showdown in Green Bay. For a team that has been criticized for its struggles in cold-weather games, Thursday offers the perfect chance to flip the narrative.

The Dolphins left Hard Rock Stadium looking like contenders. Now, they’ll need to prove it on a chilly night in Wisconsin.

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Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Jimmy Butler delivers the Heat a win in a late thriller versus the Mavericks

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The Heat won its second game in a row with its new starting lineup, putting down the Wild Horses, minus Luka Dončić.

 

Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Jimmy Butler, Haywood Highsmith and Bam Adebayo had the Heat down 15-18 at the first substitution, nearly six minutes into the first quarter. Their biggest early mistakes were allowing consecutive interior breakdowns to Klay Thompson and Quentin Grimes for scores; then Derek Lively recovered two Dallas misses, hooking one back in and feeding Kyrie Irving at the arc with the other.

 

Yet, Highsmith defended Irving well, denying him at the rim and tracking his dribble from the perimeter to the paint to force another miss. On top of that, the Heat started deploying the zone at the end of the first quarter.

 

And Adebayo was the source of the offense, putting up nine points at long and short distances.

 

In frame two, Irving scored eight points, dribbling to his sweet spot for a jumper, making a second chance hook and nailing a trey.

 

But Herro and Butler feasted for the Heat. The former scored using the double screen to get free at close range and then blew by Irving for a layup. The latter produced at the line, in transition and on a baseline jumper.

 

Defensively, the Heat kept incorporating zone with man-to-man coverage.

 

At halftime, the hosts were up 56-51. The crew had 26 paint points, one on the break, two via second chances, 14 off turnovers and 18 from the bench.

 

The Mavericks had 30 interior points, none in the open court, nine on extra tries, five off turnovers and nine from the reserves.

 

Then Thompson gashed the hosts for seven points in the first few minutes of the third quarter. Naji Marshall and Lively combined for seven of eight baskets, too. Yet the Heat’s defense keyed in on Irving, preventing zero makes in three tries from deep.

 

For the Heat, Butler added eight points from the line and on drives into the lane. And Pelle Larson provided four baskets with no misses from deep and short range.

 

The Heat entered the fourth quarter ahead 89-84, but its small cushion quickly evaporated.

 

The protections failed to stop Irving from getting to the paint and splashing treys. Subsequently, P.J. Washington’s putback dunk extended Dallas’ lead to three points.

 

Next, Butler retook the advantage on a left-side reverse layup. But Irving snatched it back with a jumper over Butler.

 

Afterward, Herro took a dumb seven-foot shot, getting denied by Spencer Dinwiddie, and Larson had to foul Irving to send him to the line. Yet, Irving made one.

 

As Robinson checked in the ball on the sideline, Butler cut toward the basket, caught the rock and dunked through contact to tie.

 

In overtime, the Heat held the Mavericks to two of 10 field goals. Moves from Alec Burks, Adebayo and Butler sealed the win.

 

The Heat won 123-118. The team had 62 paint points, four on the break, 18 via second chances, 17 off turnovers and 45 from the bench.

 

Butler had 33 points on 11 of 17 attempts, with nine rebounds, six assists, one steal, two blocks and three turnovers.

 

Adebayo scored 20 points on 40% accuracy, with 11 rebounds, five assists and two turnovers.

 

Herro put up 18 digits on eight of 25 attempts, with 10 rebounds, five assists, one steal and one giveaway.

 

And Larson had 14 points, making six of eight shots, with five rebounds and one assist.

 

The Mavericks had 66 interior points, six in the open court, 24 on extra tries, 15 off turnovers and 37 from the reserves.

 

After the game, Butler affectionately said, “I hate to say it. Duncan made an incredible pass,” referring to the connection that forced overtime.

 

At the postgame presser, Spoelstra said, “It seemed like it was a foul,” regarding Butler’s basket to tie the game.

 

Observations:

1. Adebayo had a sharp first quarter but didn’t score again until early in the third frame. Three of his eight field goals were 3-pointers from the right corner and up top. Additionally, he had a season-high in 3-point attempts (6).

 

2. Highsmith disrupted Dallas’ actions but played only 19 minutes because he wasn’t feeling well. He was doing a fine job of defusing Irving.

 

3. Butler missed five free throws. Furthermore, it was his second straight game scoring at least 30 points. The last time he did that was in 2023-24, between Nov. 30 and Dec. 2.

 

4. Herro (10), Adebayo (11) and Kevin Love (11) had double-digit rebounds and Butler had nine. The Heat’s 57 rebounds is the second-best mark of the season.

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Tua Tagovailoa said the Dolphins are "excited to go to Green Bay and show everybody in prime time what we can do.”

Pressure Point: Dolphins back in playoff race, must now win ‘big-boy games’

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It was Feel Good Sunday for the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.

Perfect weather and a near-perfect performance (for three quarters) by the home team in a thorough pasting of the Patriots, their long-time nemesis.

The giddy 34-15 romp even had team owner Steve Ross doing the celebratory Waddle waddle after Tua Tagovailoa threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game in the third quarter to Jaylen Waddle.

Most important, the Dolphins’ third consecutive win put Miami, now 5-6, one spot out of the final wild card in the AFC — 7-5 Denver holds it.

Enjoy the moment, Dolfans, like a second helping of Thanksgiving turkey. But beware of the tryptophan.

The Dolphins can’t afford to snooze Thursday night in a holiday prime-time matchup with the Packers in Green Bay.

Beating up on the weakling Raiders and Patriots back-to-back at home in the sunshine was entertaining and necessary to dig out of a deep early season hole.

The telling test will be how a Dolphins team that has gained some momentum can meet the bigger challenges of the stretch run.

Or as the CBS announcers put it: “You’ve got to win the big-boy games.”

Packers present big test for Dolphins

There will be two of those on the road in the next three weeks, at Green Bay and Dec. 15 at AFC South-leading Houston, sandwiched around a home game against the struggling Jets.

Miami then hosts the San Francisco 49ers, who remain in the big-boy category despite struggles of their own.

This is the point that so many Dolphins seasons have gone off the rails. Look no further than last season when they led the Buffalo Bills by three games in the AFC East with five to play and coughed it all up.

The downfall began with blowing a two-touchdown lead in the final three minutes against the Titans in a Monday night collapse. Season-ending losses to the Ravens and Bills pushed the Dolphins from hosting a playoff game to having to play the Chiefs in frigid Kansas City. The result was a predictable one-sided loss to extend the drought without a playoff win since the 2000 season.

“I think we’re heading in the right direction,” said Waddle. “We’ve got big games coming up the end of the year, so it’s important that we start playing our best ball heading into this last stretch of the season.”

Waddle played his best game of the season Sunday with eight receptions for 144 yards and the 29-yard touchdown from Tua.

Tua, offense thrives against Patriots

The offense has been increasingly efficient in Tagovailoa’s four games since returning from his latest concussion. In improving to 7-0 in his career against the Patriots, he completed 29 of 40 for 317 yards and a rating of 128.9.

He again made good use of tight end Jonnu Smith, who had nine catches for 87 yards and the first touchdown of the day. De’Von Achane caught the other two TDs on screens out of the backfield. Tyreek Hill had five receptions for 48 yards.

“The guys are feeling good,” Tagovailoa said. “Everything feels better when you win.”

In the past two games, Tua has thrown for 605 yards, seven touchdowns, no interceptions and a 128.5 passer rating.

Again, that is against two of the downtrodden teams in the league.

But as Tagovailoa pointed out, “Getting into rhythm of stacking wins up, I definitely think that is a big morale booster.”

The continued struggles to run the ball is concerning, though. They rushed for only 65 yards while averaging a mere 2.7 a carry against the Patriots.

Chop Robinson puts rush in Dolphins defense

Throwing likely will be more difficult at Lambeau Field, where the forecast for Thursday night calls for temperatures dropped to near 20 degrees. Little chance of snow, though, with winds moderate.

Could be worse. But there is a 100-percent chance of a hostile atmosphere. It is certain to be plenty loud.

“We’re still below the .500 threshold and it’s a long way to where we want to get to,” Tagovailoa said. “But this next one is going to be big for us and we’re excited to go to Green Bay and show everybody in prime time what we can do.”

They will be coming off another strong showing by the defense. Rookie Chop Robinson is becoming a force on the pass rush. He had 1 ½ sacks and three hits on quarterback Drake Maye.

The Dolphins sacked Maye four times, including a strip-sack by Zach Sieler that was recovered by Jordyn Brooks to set up Miami’s final touchdown.

The defense suffered a blow when linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. left with a hamstring injury in the first half. But newly acquired veteran Tyrel Dodson not only filled the void, he had a one-handed interception.

Dolphins aim for rare strong stretch run

Could it be that these Dolphins actually flip the script recent history and finish stronger than they started?

Insight on that question should come in about four days. Miami, trailing Denver by two games in the wild-card chase, can’t afford to fall farther behind.

“The Packers aren’t going to care about our three-game win streak. The Packers are going to try to make us seem like a team that can’t win in the cold and can’t beat a good team,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said.

That is an apt statement of the Dolphins’ profile for close to a quarter-century.

It is valid until they prove otherwise.

McDaniel went on to say, “Like life, it’s not about avoiding adversity. It’s about flourishing in it. You really can’t hide. You find out who believes in what we’re doing and who believes in each other.”

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

Five Dolphins X-Factors Down the Stretch

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The Miami Dolphins won their second game in a row in week 11, beating the Los Vegas Raiders at home in convincing fashion, 34-19. The Dolphins now sit at a 4-6 record with a seemingly manageable schedule the rest of the way, despite a more competitive than expected wild card race. As the Dolphins do attempt to gear up for this upcoming stretch run, they’ll need depth pieces to step up, injured players to make triumphant returns, young players to break out, and veterans to earn their keep. With that in mind, here are five crucial x-factors down the stretch who can singlehandedly change the course of the playoff race. 

 

Chop Robinson, EDGE 

The Dolphins first round pick is coming alive, folks. Over the last three weeks, Chop has been terrorizing opposing quarterbacks to the tune of two sacks, four quarterback hits, and 15 (!) total pressures, the rookie is finally getting home. That’s not to say he was bad before, his 18.1% pressure rate overall on the season ranks 8th in the NFL among defenders with at least 100 pass rush snaps. Over the last few weeks, however, he has started to finish, and that is exactly what the defense has needed. Prior to the last two weeks, in which the defense had strung together back to back outings of three sacks or more for the first time in 2024, the Dolphins as a team had only produced a meager ten sacks in their first eight games. This ranked them 31st in the NFL, ahead of only the Atlanta Falcons. With a stretch of games upcoming that includes the likes of C.J. Stroud, Jordan Love, and Brock Purdy, the Dolphins will need their rookie edge rusher to continue his midseason breakout if the defense is to be up for the challenge of earning a wild card spot. 

 

Kendall Lamm, OT 

With Austin Jackson having season ending knee surgery ahead of week ten’s Monday night matchup versus Los Angeles, Kendall Lamm was tapped to be the blindside protector for Tua Tagovailoa down the stretch for the remainder of the season. The result? Arguably the worst performance of the season for the Dolphins offensive line. The Rams defense was able to generate pressure on Tagovailoa with regularity to the tune of a pressure rate of 25.8%. In week 11, however, the tune was starkly different. Lamm matched up with the vaunted Maxx Crosby for much of the day, and while the Dolphins still were not able to generate much success in the running game, Crosby was only able to generate a pressure on three of his 37 pass rushing snaps, for a lowly pressure rate of 8.1%. Lamm is one of the better backup tackles the league has to offer, and the Dolphins will need him to play as such, especially with a schedule that sees Will Anderson IV, Myles Garrett and Nick Bosa the rest of the way. As important as Lamm is at the tackle spot, this next player is just as important inside, maybe even more. 

 

Isaiah Wynn, IOL 

The Miami Dolphins guard play in pass protection this year has been, in a word, bad. According to PFF (controversial, I know), the Dolphins guards have combined to generate a paltry 36 grade in pass blocking sets, that’s out of 100, by the way. Enter Isaiah Wynn, who was designated to return prior to the Dolphins week 11 matchup at home versus the Raiders, opening up his three week practice window. While he remains out versus the Patriots, it is likely that Dolphins fans will be seeing Wynn on the field sooner, rather than later. The benefits of this being two fold, firstly, he will bolster the interior pass blocking on a line that sorely needs a boost in that department. Secondly, ins tepping in at Left Guard, he opens the door for Robert Jones to jump to the right side, allowing him to go back to playing his better position, while also allowing for a true competition between him and Eichenberg at that spot, giving the Dolphins a quality backup along the inside in whoever loses said position battle. If Wynn is able to regain his form, an offensive line combination of Armstead-Wynn-Brewer-Jones/Eichenberg-Lamm may be the best group the Dolphins have trot out to date this season. 

 

Jevon Holland, S 

Jevon Holland wants to get paid this offseason. Jevon Holland, at this point, at least, has not done much to help his cause in the 2024 season, as he has struggled in coverage, to the tune of allowing a 117.3 passer rating in coverage to opposing offenses when being targeted this season, a career worst for the safety to date. Now, Holland has been hampered by injuries this season, but this is a defense that sorely needs him to be the playmaker who generated 9 turnovers across his first three seasons, as this is a Dolphins defense that, while being solid all season long, has occasionally struggled in creating those plays that can change the course of a game, if he is able to reclaim his former form, the defense could have yet another level to hit down the stretch, a pretty scary thought for opposing offenses considering that the defense has been a top 10 unit to this point. 

 

Jaylen Wright, RB 

The Dolphins offense is currently in the midst of somewhat of a changing of the guard. While Wright only has had five carries each over the last two games, and has struggled to get any traction with any of those carries, though one can argue one Alec Ingold could remedy these struggles, this was significant in what it is symbolic of and the trend that the offense is moving towards. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has used his running back stable almost like a pitching staff to this point, with De’Von Achane operating as the starter and a combination of Jaylen Wright and Raheem Mostert operating as the “closers”, backs who are more capable of providing the physical punishing runs in the fourth quarter to wear down defenses as the game winds down. This role will seemingly become much more important down the stretch as the Dolphins go on the road in tough conditions three times in their remaining eight games (at Green Bay, at Cleveland, at New York). This is exactly where Jaylen Wright fits in, Wright leads all Dolphins running backs with at least 40 carries in yards after contact per carry at 3.6. For context, Derrick Henry averages 3.8 yards after contact per carry. Obviously, this is not to say the 5’10”, 215 pound Wright will continue to run like the 6’2”, 240 pound Henry, but his tough running style will be critical to the Dolphins run game as they play these cold weather games on the road in November/December/January. 

With the Dolphins likely needing to win at least six of their remaining seven to keep pace in the AFC, each of these players (and more, of course) will be crucial to the playoff push. In the immediate, though, each of these players will be crucial on a week to week basis, starting with the upcoming week 12 home matchup with Drake Maye and the Patriots.

 

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Jordan Poyer’s Struggles Are a Test of Patience for the Dolphins

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Jordan Poyer’s first season in Miami has been anything but smooth sailing. The former All-Pro safety, once celebrated for his playmaking and leadership in Buffalo, now finds himself at the center of criticism amid a challenging 2024 campaign. A lack of impactful stats, mounting mistakes, and declining coverage metrics paint a bleak picture. Yet, the Dolphins remain steadfast in their support, emphasizing his intangible contributions. This raises a compelling question: How long should Miami’s patience last?

At 33, Poyer is no stranger to scrutiny. His journey from being an overlooked prospect to an NFL standout has been built on resilience and growth. But his performance this season—highlighted by a roughing penalty that cost the Dolphins a divisional game and a blown coverage on rookie Brock Bowers—has sparked frustration. These errors stand out in a defense ranked 15th in points allowed, a unit striving to match the firepower of Miami’s elite offense.

Statistically, Poyer’s decline is stark. Opposing quarterbacks have a 144.5 passer rating when targeting him, and his 55.7 PFF grade is the lowest of his career. He’s gone 34 consecutive starts without an interception, an almost unthinkable drought for a player once known for his ball-hawking abilities. Fans’ calls for Marcus Maye, who has performed admirably in limited action, to replace Poyer in the starting lineup are not without merit.

However, head coach Mike McDaniel and defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver insist that Poyer’s value transcends what the box score reveals. They cite his veteran presence, ability to align teammates, and football IQ as reasons for keeping him on the field. “He has graduate-level honors in the cerebral part of the game,” Weaver noted, emphasizing the nuance of Poyer’s contributions.

Still, the NFL is a results-driven league. While leadership and intangibles are vital, they cannot compensate indefinitely for repeated lapses in execution. Poyer’s miscues have cost Miami crucial moments in winnable games, and the team’s willingness to bench other veterans suggests his position is not invulnerable.

If Poyer is to justify the Dolphins’ loyalty, he must adapt quickly. The margin for error shrinks as the postseason looms, and Miami cannot afford to let sentimentality cloud personnel decisions. Marcus Maye is waiting in the wings, and if Poyer’s struggles persist, the Dolphins may have no choice but to make a change.

Poyer’s story is one of perseverance, and his track record suggests he’s capable of bouncing back. But in a season defined by championship aspirations, the Dolphins must weigh his legacy against their immediate need for consistency. The time to prove his worth is now, or the next man up may soon take center stage.

Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Strahinja Jokić’s assault case continues

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Strahinja Jokić, the older brother of the Denver Nuggets center, will continue his court case on Jan. 6 with a plea and setting hearing for a third-degree assault charge that stemmed from a savage punch against a fan at Ball Arena during a game versus the Los Angeles Lakers in April. The battering left the victim with a concussion, bruising and lacerations. 

 

A witness captured video of the incident. S. Jokić is 6-foot-9 and weighs 287 pounds. The person he struck appears to be of normal size.

 

S. Jokić came alone for his court date on Tuesday, save for his attorney, Abraham Hutt. Originally, a plea and setting hearing was scheduled, but Hutt requested and was granted extra time to negotiate with the City Attorney’s office.

 

On Aug. 21, S. Jokić’s fingerprints and photograph were taken for the case. Additionally, a protection order was enacted that day, barring him from contact with the victim, per court documents.

 

S. Jokić previously was in legal trouble in Denver in 2019. Then, he was charged with assault in the second- degree for strangling Maria Jokić, and accused of false imprisonment plus obstructing a telephone or telegraph service. He later accepted a guilty plea for obstructing a phone service and trespassing in a deferred prosecution arrangement, eliminating the charges. The trespassing charge was removed in 2022. 






Mateo’s Hoop Diary: Jimmy Butler returns as the Heat pull off an 18-point comeback versus the 76ers

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Jimmy Butler made up for lost time in a dominating effort, and the Heat’s defense locked up the 76ers in the second half, en route to victory. On top of that the hosts started a new lineup: Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Butler, Haywood Highsmith and Bam Adebayo.

 

Butler carried the offense in the first quarter with a pick-and-pop jumper in the middle, a post-attack, a backdoor lob, and two fastbreak scores. But the squad missed 10 3-pointers, and some were makeable looks.

 

For the 76ers, Paul George kept maneuvering to his spots, hitting multiple jumpers at middle and close range, plus plowing to the hole for a layup and setting up Joel Embiid, beating Butler and Adebayo’s trap to the baseline. 

 

The closing of the first quarter was brutal for the hosts, too. Multiple turnovers set up quick baskets and trips to the line plus the team soiled itself covering the arc.

 

Subsequently, McCain started the second quarter scoring at close range against Adebayo in the drop, hitting a jumper in front of Herro in mid-range and spinning past Pelle Larson for a scoop layup. Two other quick baskets by Kelly Oubre in the open court piled on. 

 

At one moment, the 76ers had a 17-digit lead. Then five points from Dru Smith, six free throws from Butler and actions by Highsmith and Alec Burks ate into it. 

 

At halftime, the Heat was down 53-56. The team had 26 paint points, 10 on the break, 13 via second chances, seven off turnovers and 21 from the bench. Aside from Butler, the team was shooting 37% from the field. 

 

The 76ers had 30 interior marks, 11 in the open court, none on extra tries, 15 off turnovers and 13 from the bench. 

 

Next, Herro, Butler and Robinson emerged from intermission, connecting on four triples in nearly five minutes. After 76ers coach Nick Nurse called a stoppage, Robinson and Herro hit two trays, and the latter added two shots on the break plus a layup on a pick-and-roll set.

 

Defensively, the Healtes held the 76ers to five of 17 field goals in the third frame. 

 

Butler went to the locker room during the period and didn’t return until nearly midway into the fourth quarter.

 

The fourth quarter started with the Heat ahead 88-72.

 

Despite the Heat converting seven of 21 ventures, The crew kept beating the 76ers on the dribble and the guests’ weak side rotations were weak, too. 

 

On defense, the squad promptly bothered 3-point shots and held the 76ers to 15.5% below league-average efficiency in the restricted area.

 

The Heat won 106-89. The team had 44 paint points, 23 on the break, 18 via second chances, 14 off turnovers and 31 from the bench. 

 

Butler had 30 points on eight of 12 attempts, with 10 rebounds, five assists and one steal.

 

Herro dropped 18 points on 40% accuracy, with five rebounds, five assists and three turnovers. 

 

Robinson put up 13 points on five of 14 tries, with two rebounds, three assists, one steal and two turnovers. 

 

And Adebayo had five points on two of eight shots, with 13 boards, three assists, two steals, one block and three giveaways.

 

The 76ers totaled 48 interior marks, 20 in the open court, zero on extra tries, 17 off turnovers and 28 from the bench. 

 

McCain had 20 digits on 50% shooting, with four rebounds, four assists, two steals and two turnovers. 

 

George logged 18 marks on five of 13 attempts, with six rebounds, five helpings, three steals and three turnovers.

 

Caleb Martin provided 12 points on 41.7% shooting, with five rebounds, two steals and a block. 

 

And Embiid registered 11 points on five of 11 tries, with eight boards, five assists, one block and two turnovers. 

 

At the postgame presser, coach Erik Spoelstra said the new starting lineup understands the core tenets and that keeping Butler “physically youthful” is the priority.

 

Observations:

 

1. McCain was taken by the 76ers one pick after the Heat chose Kel’el Ware. The former is a polished, confident offensive player and likely this year‘s top rookie. This doesn’t mean choosing Ware was a bad pick, but he’s barely in the rotation now. 

 

2. The Heat made nine of 11 baskets in the paint in the first half. They made nine of 20 attempts in the last two quarters. 

 

3. Butler had his top showing of the season. Seven of his eight baskets came in the paint; the other one in the corner. They were logged against Embiid, Martin and Guerschon Yabusele.

 

On top of that, he was pressuring the backline at a high level and was rewarded with 13 free-throw attempts, making all. 

 

4. Burke’s second-quarter boost was badly needed. All three of his field goals- the corner jumper behind Smith’s pin down, the scoop layup, and the step-back two-pointer over Martin- helped dig the Heat out of a hole. 

 

5. Dru Smith was accurate and had three steals- one was a strip and two were in the passing lanes. 

 

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