Miami Dolphins Third Quarter of the Season Review
By Austin Ramos
![MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 02: Xavien Howard #25 of the Miami Dolphins looks on during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 02: Xavien Howard #25 of the Miami Dolphins looks on during the third quarter against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on December 2, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fphinphanatic-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F12-2F1067744624-850x560-23b112d25f55112511154259cd55f3a396894215db0987e96879a55f347af721.jpg)
The Miami Dolphins were 4-4 following their loss to the Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football. Marking the midpoint for their season.
Their next four game or quarter of the season they would play against the New York Jets in Miami, at the Green Bay Packers, at the Indianapolis Colts, BYE, then close it off with the Buffalo Bills in Miami.
In the span of these 4 games the Dolphins faced two AFC East opponents, one NFC opponent and 1 other AFC opponent. The Dolphins went 2-0 agents Divisional rivals the Jets and Bills, 0-1 against their NFC opponent the Green Bay Packers and 0-1 against AFC opponent Indianapolis Colts.
Week 9 – New York Jets VS. Miami Dolphins 6-13
The Miami Dolphins had a highly defensive game against the New York Jets where they were able to force rookie quarterback Sam Darnold to throw 4 interceptions to 4 different defenders. The first one went to Kiko Alonso, then the pick-6 by rookie linebacker Jerome Baker making his first NFL interception a touchdown, followed by TJ McDonald and Walt Aikens to get interceptions to close out the game in a Miami Dolphins victory.
Week 10 – Miami Dolphins VS. Green Bay Packers 12-31
Following the win to the New York Jets the Miami Dolphins faced the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Quite simply the offense just could not find their way into the end zone. while the offense was not doing well picking up crucial third downs and getting in the end zone the defense was decent to say the least in the first half. That was until they allowed Aaron Jones to run all over them for 145 yards and 2 touchdowns. There was also another Aaron, Aaron Rodgers to be exact who threw for 199 yards and 2 touchdowns that ultimately blew the Dolphins chances of winning this football game.
BYE
Word is starts to get out that Ryan Tannehill may be able to come back and play the following week against the Colts.
Week 11 – Miami Dolphins VS. Indianapolis Colts 24-27
Ryan Tannehill makes his first start since dealing with the capsule injury in his shoulder from the week 5 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. The Dolphins offense started to look a whole lot better with Ryan Tannehill under center, as it should be since the offense was built around him to benefit him the most. With the Dolphins leading 24-14 with 13 minutes left in the 4th quarter it would be assumed that they could maintain that lead and leave with a victory. As you can tell that did not happen and the Colts who had been on a 4 game winning streak prior to this game came back on the back of Andrew Luck and his offensive line and score 13 points in the final 8 minutes of the game. None the less cornerback Xavien Howard flashed some greatness showing why he is one of the best cornerbacks in the league with 2 interceptions on back to back Colts offensive plays before half time.
Week 12 – Buffalo Bills VS. Miami Dolphins 17-21
Now at 5-6 the Miami Dolphins desperately need a win against the Buffalo Bills and their rookie quarterback Josh Allen. Who admitted before the draft that Ryan Tannehill is one of his favorite quarterbacks in the NFL. That being said Josh Allen threw for 231 yards and 2 touchdowns and ran for 135 accounting for 366 yards of total offense from him alone. Yet, that was not enough for the Bills to beat the Dolphins especially when Xavien Howard has another 2 interception game for the second game in a row and the third time in the season he has done this.
The Miami Dolphins are now 6-6 and currently sit in 7th place in the AFC play off race right out of the final wildcard spot behind the Baltimore Ravens
Miami Dolphins Third Quarter 2018 Season Review
Here I go into more of my thoughts of the games and what the Miami Dolphins will face down the line.
They will close off the last 4 games of the season against the New England Patriots in Miami, at the Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars in Miami, and finish the season at the Buffalo Bills.
The Miami Dolphins can very well close off the season at 10-6 but 9-7 is a more realistic closing with 2 mainly tough games against the Patriots and Vikings.