Like real dolphins, the Miami players smile and throw themselves ‘nailed’ on the grid to celebrate. Their happiness is not in vain, as they have become the first team in NFL history to resurface with a seven-game winning streak after a seven-game losing streak. Now his sights are set on still making the playoffs.
The Dolphins’ most recent victim was the New Orleans Saints, who were beaten 20-3. The Miami team took advantage of the fact that their rival had 20 players on the covid-19 list (including their two main quarterbacks) and widely dominated the game of week 16, intercepting rookie quarterback Ian Book twice.
Until October 31, Miami only aspired to watch the playoffs on television. They had a 1-7 record and were sunk in the Eastern Division of the American Conference (AFC). But between November and December the winning streak began, which includes celebrations against teams such as Ravens, Panthers and Giants. The playoffs pass is in their hands, because with two more victories against Titans and Patriots they secure the ticket.
“This team has stayed together throughout the year. We faced a lot of adversity in the beginning and that revealed a lot. I’d say it revealed the character of our boys in our dressing room. It revealed that some people were with you and some people were undecided, ”said Miami head coach Brian Flores after the victory against the Saints that has reversed the record to 8-7.
“Our boys keep fighting, they stay united. They support each other, they work hard, they try hard. When they do those things, they put themselves in a position to get the results they are looking for, ”added the 40-year-old coach, who is just living his third season as head coach and all with Dolphins.
Flores was born in Brooklyn and her parents are Honduran. His coaching career was forged in Bill Belichick’s successful Patriots from 2008 to 2018, where he held positions as a special teams assistant to head coach for the linebackers, winning four Super Bowls with the New England institution.
“Put the team first. We do what is in the best interests of the team, whether it is passing from the coaches, from the players, a decision that is made in the game or from the point of view of the staff. You always want to do what’s best for the organization, ”Flores said in 2019 when asked about his most important learning about Belichick.
With that background, he arrived in Miami, where the task was not and is not easy. The Dolphins have only made the playoffs three times in the past 20 years, losing all three just in the wildcard round. The last time they won a division championship was in 1992 and their last Super Bowl appearance was in 1984, so the presence of someone with the Patriots’ winning school has bolstered the confidence of the fans.
Another key piece in the Dolphins’ awakening has been their quarterback, Tua Tagovailoa, who is living his second season as the team’s starter at age 23, after being drafted from the University of Alabama. Tua is fully trusted by Brian Flores and in the current season, with 11 games played, he has a 70.1% effectiveness in his passes.
In addition, he has already exceeded the number of touchdown passes he achieved last year, when he was left with 11 and now has 15; He also reduced his catches from 20 to 15 and increased his yards from 1,814 to 2,339 (through Week 16). His main attacking partners have been Jaylen Waddle with 941 receiving yards, Myles Gaskin with 590 rushing yards and Jason Sanders as the team’s leading scorer with 91 points.
Another equally important factor has been defense, as the Dolphins are leaders so far this season with 45 sacks from quarterback, driven by Jerome Baker, Xavien Howard, Christian Wilkins and Elandon Roberts, among others. With that solidity, Miami has managed to position seventh within the AFC, that is, with the last berth to the playoffs after, until October 31, their hopes of seeing the postseason were only on television.
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Reference-www.eleconomista.com.mx