PHINMANIACS.COM
Menu

A Christmas Miracle and a Fitz-Magical Face Mask - Miami Stuns Raiders 26-25

12/27/2020

0 Comments

 
By: Jason Sarney

The Miami Dolphins gave their fans a Christmas miracle...on the 26th of December. As the saying goes, especially with a Dolphins team prone to the wild and unimaginable, “better late than never.”

In a memorable moment within a franchise of unforgettable ones, the Dolphins created a memory that will live in Fins lore, forever. Ryan Fitzpatrick’s Hail Mary prayer, was answered by Mack Hollins, and was assisted by a Christmas gift of a face-mask penalty on the Raiders, adding 15-yards to Hollins’ reception, thus allowing Jason Sanders to do what he does best.

Split uprights when it matters most.

The Dolphins beat the Raiders 26-25, in a game than could have ended, twice. In a very controversial coaching move, Jon Gruden elected to not run a touchdown in while the game was near completion. As the Raiders mathematically knew they had to return the ball to Miami, it was a time and strategy snafu that allowed The Gunslinger, Ryan Fitzpatrick to create some magic.

The crafty veteran went 9/13 in relief for 182 passing yards, including the 52-yard no-look heave to set Sanders up to win it in the closing seconds.

Fitzpatrick found Hollins, who minutes prior, had a drop of a would-be go-ahead touchdown right at the goal line. Hollins, who certainly made up for it, emphatically told reports following the game regarding its last few moments, “I live for this sh*t.”

So do we Mack. So do we.

And for the Die-Hard Miami Dolphins fans who witnessed yet another Miracle on Saturday night, the craziness and joy are far from over at 10 wins, and one game to go in a regular season nobody thought would go this way.

The Dolphins victory puts them in control their own destiny mode for Week 17. Win, and in. They are also alive if certain teams lose on Sunday the 27th during the full slate of games, but to be able to say this, in a 2nd-year re-build, is simply another miracle.

The game against the Raiders is one where Brian Flores, must have, and should have, clinched Coach of the Year.

Here are some reasons why.

Not only did he make an extremely and potentially dividing call, benching rookie Tua Tagovailoa for Ryan Fitzpatrick in the 2nd half, he made some outstanding decisions.
Namely, a fake punt where Clayton Fejedelem took a direct snap 22 yards for the 1st down in the 2nd quarter, leading to a field goal by Jason Sanders.

Speaking of Sanders, who went 4/4 on his field goals and 2/2 on his PATs won the game on a 44-yarder following the Fitz-Face-Mask Miracle, yet another victory from his foot for Miami in his tenure, and has already solidified himself as a legend.

LEGEND.

Sanders is the AFC’s only place kicker with regular work to not miss a PAT all season. Wil Lutz of the NFC and New Orleans Saints is the NFLs only other who can claim this in 2020.

As we all saw last night, one point matters.
Picture
The Dolphins defense came up big when then needed to, holding Las Vegas to field goal attempts where touchdowns could have been what put the game out of reach for Miami. Additionally, in the 2nd quarter Andrew Van Ginkel and Nik Needham teamed up for a huge 3rd-down sack on Derek Carr to force a punt following the loss of yardage.

Defensive Player of the Year candidate, Xavien Howard, held rookie speedster play maker, Henry Ruggs to zero catches. Howard had a stellar endzone pass-break up on a 50-yard pass intended for Ruggs.

As a team, with the last second fumble recovery by Clayton Fejedelem on the final play of the game, the Dolphins extended their takeaway streak to 21 consecutive games, the longest active mark in the NFL, for the NFL's TOP team defense.

This is starting to look like a team of destiny, and truly starting to be the potential building and beginning of a Dynasty…with a team that is the league’s 3rd youngest overall roster and seemingly, heading for bonus football in tournament format.

The Dolphins now prepare for essentially a pre-playoff, play-off game with the rival Buffalo Bills next Sunday. A team they can face yet again, in a potential Wild Card match-up in January six or seven days later.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Latest Dolphins News

    Story Archives

    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014


    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • Miami Dolphins Articles
  • About Us
  • BetUS - PROMO CODE "PhinManiacs"
  • PROP BETS
  • MERCH!!!!!!!!!!
  • Home
  • Miami Dolphins Articles
  • About Us
  • BetUS - PROMO CODE "PhinManiacs"
  • PROP BETS
  • MERCH!!!!!!!!!!