Not too high, not too low: Brian Flores' consistency paying off
Despite only three victories, there is much to be celebrated over the first-year Dolphins coach's performance in Year 1 of an extensive rebuild.
Despite only three victories, there is much to be celebrated over the first-year Dolphins coach's performance in Year 1 of an extensive rebuild.
Dan Quinn and Jason Garrett could get fired, but they're not alone. Adam Gase? He's safe. Same with Matt Nagy ... for now.
Get the latest scoop from inside NFL locker rooms on who's in and who's out this weekend.
Dolphins claimed WR Mack Hollins off waivers from the Philadelphia Eagles. Hollins, a 2017 fourth-round pick, is a good special teams player but he didn't produced much as WR in Philadelphia. He gets another shot in Miami. Dolphins also waived/injured CB Ken Crawley and waived G Chris Reed. They also signed C Evan Brown off the Giants practice squad. Dolphins pilfering practice squads, waivers for talent as 2020 gets closer.
Dolphins K Jason Sanders wins AFC Special Teams Player of the Week for the second time this season. Figures the only NFL kicker in 40+ years to catch a TD pass deserves that honor.
Using criticism as motivation, the 2015 first-round wide receiver is realizing his potential, thanks in part to improved work habits.
These players, coaches and executives won't be playing out the string, as the final month of the season could make or break their futures.
Expect Patrick Laird and Myles Gaskin to carry load for Dolphins initially with Kalen Ballage out. De'Lance Turner may get a few opportunities, too. Those in the fantasy football playoffs, Laird could be worth a waiver claim in PPR leagues. He's shown promise as pass catching RB.
Dolphins have placed RB Kalen Ballage on IR with his leg injury. They claimed RB Zach Zenner from Cardinals to fill his spot. DB Montre Hartage was waived to make room for WR Trevor Davis, claimed from Oakland.
New Dolphins WR/returner Trevor Davis, claimed off waivers from Oakland, could be a candidate to fill some of the Jakeem Grant role in last month of a season. Davis is a speedy player who has been used in space as runner, receiver and returner. Another no-risk waiver claim for Miami.
Defensive back Eric Rowe has signed a three-year contract extension, the Dolphins announced Monday. A source tells ESPN's Adam Schefter that the deal is worth $18 million, with $7 million guaranteed.
Eric Rowe has done a great transitioning from CB to S in Dolphins scheme. He's been solid covering TEs, and seems to have a good chance of starting/continuing that role in 2020 with Dolphins. His 3-year, $18M deal with $7M guaranteed is nice payoff for guy who took 1-year deal in March.
(Sara Ziegler, sports editor): Week 13 had a little bit of everything: matchups between division leaders, out-of-nowhere upsets and yet another...
Dolphins thoughts following 37-31 win over Eagles + snap count observations — Patrick Laird flashing in pass game with 4 catches for 43 yards, likely becomes lead RB after Kalen Ballage injury. Myles Gaskin steps into bigger role, too. — Eric Rowe has been a gem find as TE eraser. Coaches transitioned him from CB to S. He's earned a contract extension. — Albert Wilson getting some burst back after injuries (63 total yards). Good sight. — This was LB Sam Eguaveon's best game yet (sack, 2 TFL).
Dolphins projected to have the No.4 (own), No.19 (via Pittsburgh) & No.24 (via Houston) picks in 2020 draft, per ESPN's FPI. They have a 69.7% chance of top-5 pick and 98.7% chance at top-10 pick per FPI. Upcoming Schedule is favorable: @NYJ, @NYG, CIN, NE. But there are decent odds that they have a shot at draft's QB2/QB3 (Justin Herbert/injured Tua Tagovailoa).
Miami earns its third victory behind a punter-to-kicker touchdown, Ryan Fitzpatrick's three touchdowns and DeVante Parker's career-high 159 yards.
It may get overshadowed due to DeVante Parker's monster day, but Mike Gesicki had 5 catches, 79 yards & TD. He's having a bounce-back season, too. Good for him. Dolphins OC Chad O'Shea deserves a lot credit for unlocking players who previously disappointed under the old regime.
According to ESPN's FPI, there was a ~2% chance the Dolphins, Bengals and Washington would all win today. They all won.
"It's a team of fighters. We compete... It's a room full of guys who are not going to back down from anyone. We're going to keep swinging." - Dolphins HC Brian Flores
Per FPI: The Giants now have a 20% chance to earn the No. 1 overall pick after the 1 p.m. games that included a Bengals win, a Redskins win, a Dolphins win and a Giants loss. The Bengals remain the favorite to earn the top pick at 66%.
Brian Flores says he told his team in the locker room that he was proud to be the head coach of this football team after 37-31 win over Eagles. Flores talked a lot about the improvement and growth throughout the season — that can't be overstated given how this team looked Week 1 compared to low.
DeVante Parker made two acrobatic touchdown receptions and kicker Jason Sanders also had a circus-like scoring catch to help the Miami Dolphins rally past the slumping Philadelphia Eagles 37-31 Sunday.
TEAM | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New England | 10 | 2 | 0 | .833 | 322 | 145 |
Buffalo | 9 | 3 | 0 | .750 | 257 | 188 |
New York | 4 | 8 | 0 | .333 | 204 | 280 |
Miami | 3 | 9 | 0 | .250 | 200 | 377 |
RD(PK) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
---|---|---|---|
1(13) | Christian Wilkins | DT | Clemson |
3(14) | Michael Deiter | OG | Wisconsin |
5(13) | Andrew Van Ginkel | OLB | Wisconsin |
6(29) | Isaiah Prince | OT | Ohio State |
7(19) | Chandler Cox | FB | Auburn |
7(20) | Myles Gaskin | RB | Washington |