A day into a new year.
In fact, if they win next week they’re in.
But still, that fact alone feels like a triumph in this bizarrely dysfunctional season.
These games aren’t enjoyed; they’re stomached.
One that doesn’t involve a crazy lateral or red zone fumble.
But once again, their vital signs showed improvement.
They woke from the coma.
Which I guess is all we could reasonably hope for.
Without them, the field was aStratego boardwhere every piece Miami moved had more points.
But still the Patriots were able to contain them as well as they ever had.
Going almost exclusively with three, though sometimes four, safeties in their base nickel.
His second interception return to go with a scoop and score fumble recovery.
The ball came out before the pressure got there.
It was just a beautiful display of timing, reaction, and quick hands on his part.
So I’ll not post the replay here.
Just mark the centerfielder error as E-8 in your scorebook and move on.
–I mentioned them playing a few downs with four safeties, which is technically true.
But a lot of that involved Peppers being on the field, but pressed into a hybrid S/CB role.
Kind of a shorter version of 2014 Brandon Browner.
And he acquitted himself well for a guy who struggled for playing time for much of the year.
But he played a season high 45 in this one.
And would’ve gotten credit for forcing Mostert’s fumble, if the rules made any sense.
So for 2023 can we just give them one collective name?
Like we did withHanson?
With Ju’Whaun Bentley behind them, quarterbacking.
In terms of presnap recognition, anticipation, and physicality.
And for the entire front, no one had a better day than Barmore.
Along with Wise, he helped create Davis’s sack near the end of the half.
Registered FOUR QB hits.
With the game tied about halfway through the 2nd quarter, Miami put together a drive.
On 2nd & 8, Bentley and Anfernee Jennings were on the outside.
And something that’s becoming a pattern here.
And there was no blocking to be found in the return game.
Ah yes, Matt Patricia.
Matty P the OC.
Focused primarily on swing passes and screens, then eventually opening it up to deep throws.
Few if any better than the one where Tyquan Thornton got past Eric Rowe.
But this was brilliantly drawn up by Patricia, and executed to perfection.
With plenty of help from Mac as his sous chef.
Like the bubble screen he short hopped to Henry with no defender within five yards of him.
A 3rd & long that turns into a dumpoff to Henry in traffic for six yards and a punt.
To be fair, by the end this game represented some improvement over what we’ve seen.
But that’s just relative to how bad it’s been.
Like a kid improving his grade with some C-’s.
Which I’ll get to in a second.
And even then he barely saw the field until the 3rd quarter.
And gets pulled after committing a false start.
It’s worse than just making no sense.
It’s an outrage.
Bourne may have been late showing up to a workout or something in camp like rumors suggested.
But I missed the reports about him committing war crimes.
Maybe Jones would target him once a month or so.
–Disclaimer: Neither I nor anyone at Barstool Sports Inc. endorses war crimes.
We signed the Geneva Convention and we adhere to all its principles.
We welcome any investigation of how we treat our POWs by the Swiss protecting powers.
–OK, now back to saying good things about OC Patricia.
This was a great design.
On the goal line, no less, which we haven’t seen more than a handful of times.
Ian Eagle and Charles Davis sounded like they were anchoring a news show on North Korean TV.
“Tell that toDeVante Parker.
Save the shameless shilling forSo Help Me Toddpromos.
There’s a big difference between mostly dead andalldead.
Mostly dead is slightly alive.”
- Miracle Max,The Princess Bride
–So enjoy the win.
I complain because this particular team has been frustratingly exhausting.
Instead, they’re fighting for their life.
But the important thing should be they still have a life.
