The Dolphins Go From the Penthouse; to Losing the House Money

By: Jason Sarney

As a Nation of football fans, us Miami Dolphin faithful have lived every side of the spectrum. Whether witnessing it, or admiring it, the 1972 team created an unfortunate bar, only to be followed up with yet another Super Bowl and only one loss in two championship seasons.
Following that unfair expectation for the 1980’s and Dan Marino, an almost immediate trip to the Super Bowl created yet another unfair bar for the rest of the decade, as well as the following 1990’s. Playoffs a near certainty, and pro-bowlers galore sent an orange and aqua shock wave down the spines of a nation of Gen-Xer’s and Millennials, especially with heroes such as Zach Thomas, Jason Taylor and Ricky Williams.

Following the blissfully agonizing post Shula-years which saw Jimmy Johnson and Dave Wannstedt come close, with no cigars, a certain expectation has always hovered over this team, like a young person also growing up in a penthouse and expecting a certain cut of steak, a certain car picking them up, and a certain strut in their step.

As a nation of loyal fans, sometimes there is a Trading Places like reversal to the norm, like the 1-15 year, or dealing with unfit coaches, misses at free agency, and omissions in who may be the right quarterback for this team.

Moments of success send us back into the penthouse, like if we were on the streets for months; yet finally reverting to the norm.

This is 2020.

While sitting at 0-2, the Dolphins needed a spark, and suddenly, not without controversy won 6 of 7 games heading into Sunday’s contest against the Denver Broncos, which was dubbed, “an easy win,” across the nation of Fin Fans.

The 5-game win streak, in the midst of game 26 of a massive over-haul, is the equivalent of getting back into the penthouse for a few hours. We rented too many movies, ate too many macadamia nuts, and didn’t even tip the chamber maid.

We must get humble, and have to realize that playing with house money, as Miami has been doing, may not always lead to profit every Sunday. Sometimes, before gains, there must be a loss. I say – better now than later.

Miami was not good on Sunday against the Broncos in a 20-13 loss where they didn’t sack Drew Lock once and allowed Tua Tagovailoa to get sacked six times. This, along with not finding a rhyme all game, led to Ryan Fitzpatrick taking the reigns again, only to tease the fans again in a near game tying drive just as we were about to get the robe into the suitcases.

(you never should do that)

The point is – we can not be spoiled. The foundation is laid for years of success so why throw all the money out of the window from a quick stay in the penthouse just to show off now?  We aren’t there yet. The offensive line still needs to improve, and the rushing defense was non-existent. Sure, Christian Wilkins was out due to being on the Covid-list, so there is that silver-lining of hope for a rebound against the New York Jets in New Jersey next Sunday.

Please follow Jason on Twitter at @OrangeAquman