Jags Still Hold Playoff Spot & Tom Brady Is Playing Hurt

The Miami Dolphins knocked off the Jacksonville Jaguars today in their first head to head match-up down the stretch with playoff contenders. Next week it’s Tennessee, then Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub of Houston, before wrapping up their season with the Steelers. Still, after knocking the Jaguars down to 7-5, the Dolphins still find themselves behind the 8 ball looking up at the Jags who are still in the playoffs and the Ravens who are on the outside looking in. If of course the playoffs started today. Which the don’t. Oh, and just so you know…Tom Brady is playing hurt.

The reason the Jags would be in and Miami out after today is simple. When there are 3 teams tied from different divisions the tie-breaker is conference record. The Jags are one game better than Miami and a half game better than Baltimore. So basically it’s like this. The Jaguars will be out once either Baltimore gains that 1/2 game back or lose one game. If Baltimore loses, Miami immediately jumps into that last spot because of the H2H tiebreaker…unless Denver loses and drops down to make a 3 way tie and then of course it comes down to conference record again. For what’s it worth, the Phins are 5-4 in conference play and all 3 of their remaining games are conference games. So if they win out, they will still have the tie-breaker over Jacksonville because both teams would have the same conference record…assuming that the Jags win out as well.

The Jaguars were never really in today’s game until the 3rd quarter when the Dolphins decided to not put them away and instead turn the ball over to them 3 times. Ricky Williams had 3 fumbles today losing the 3rd with numbers 1 and 2 skipping out of bounds. Davone Bess coughed up the ball as well in the 3rd quarter and Chad Henne added an interception as well. Each TO allowed the Jaguars to stay in the game rather than find themselves playing from deep behind. The Phins had the chance to enter the lockerroom up by 14 but in keeping with tradition, the defense gave up a TD drive following Miami’s second score…a TD run by Chad Henne. Oh, and by the way, Tom Brady is playing hurt.

The Phins D has been giving up a lot of late 4th quarter scores this season and there really is no reason to hash it out here again. Last week vs. the Patriots, the defense kept the “Tom Brady is playing hurt” offense from scoring in the 4th quarter. With the team against the wall heading into Q4 today, the defensive unit stepped up again and kept the Jags out of the endzone securing the Phins victory and the teams first foray into above .500 territory this season.

Chad Henne was almost perfect in the first half and at one point had completed 17 consecutive passes tying a team record set by Chad Pennington last year. Henne was sharp and his pocket poise showcased how talented he really is. For a guy playing his first season as a starter, he already has fans forgetting that it was the other Chad who led the team to the playoffs for the first time in almost 10 years. While no one would ever compare him to Dan Marino, a few things are becoming clear. His presence in the pocket is very similar and the way he holds the ball and moves around and even his throwing motion is akin to the great one. Of course time will tell if he can be half of what Marino was. Of course, Henne’s release and quick throwing motion is also reminiscent. Oh and in case you didn’t know, Tom Brady is playing hurt.

The Phins will head back to Miami and ready themselves for a cold encounter in “Music City”. Snow was the early forecast for the Nashville area which could put the game on the legs of the running backs. The Phins will try and stop the league leading rusher…Chris Johnson.

So, in case I haven’t mentioned it, Tom Brady is playing hurt. I bring that up because apparently ESPN (Entertainment & Sports Patriots Network) and some of the other media types want you to know that. Earlier today while listening to more than a couple of post-game reports it was mentioned that the Patriots look out of step and the first thing that was said was that Tom Brady is banged up and playing hurt. Over and over again the excuse for Brady’s play is he is playing hurt. A few cited the loss to Miami last week as well saying that Brady’s injury is keeping the offense from gaining much rhythm. So I though I would let you know…in case you were wondering why the Patriots weren’t playing like they used to.