A heartbreaker, apparent victory dissolving into a 29-28 defeat on a TD run by Houston with :03 on the clock. I must say I thought it was a fair result, in that Houston
moved the ball pretty well on Miami's defense most of the day -- including on the one late series in which Miami desperately needed a stop.
Would have liked to have seen a little more of the Wildcat on offense, but the story today, for me, was that neither the Miami pass defense (despite two picks) or the run defense will have much fun looking at this game-film of their performance.
Comments welcome here on today's result. Look for our latest "Dolfan Satisfaction Meter" poll to be posted today at 4:45 p.m.
In-game chatter:
Stunning turn of events. Dolphins pass defense gives up two big, late plays and Matt Schaub scores on QB draw from the three with three seconds to play. Crushing.
Big sack by Joey Porter. He's having a Pro Bowl-caliber season.
Ronnie Brown 6-yard TD runs puts Dolphins back up 28-23 with around 1:45 left, taking advantage of that turnover. Up to the D now. A defense that hasn't had a great day.
What an enormous break for Miami! Pennington intercepted off deflection but Texans fumble it back and G Justin Smiley recovers. Now a 39-yard completion to Ronnie Brown puts Fish just outside Texans 10 and poised to regain the lead late.
Houston FG gives Texans lead back, after Renaldo Hill drops what should have been an interception -- a miss that could haunt Miami. About six minutes left.
Not a real wise red-flag challenge by Tony Sparano. Ball was clearly short of first down. Miami now down to one timeout left in a game where late timeouts could come in very handy.
Andre Johnson catch, Texans driving toward regaining lead -- but no! Johnson fumbles into end zone and Yeremiah Bell recovers! Third takeaway by Miami D. Huge.
Big, big scoring drive for Miami to retake the lead, finished by Ricky Williams' 5-yard run. Base offense, no Wildcat. Highlights: 33-yard pass to Greg Camarillo and 17 to David Martin. Chad Pennington now a nifty 12-for-15 passing.
Ex-Cane Andre Johnson beats Miami for a 12-yard scoring pass to give texans their first lead of day. Was set up by a 61-yard play to Johnson, thanks to missed tackles by Michael Lehan and Renaldo Hill. Johnson now seven catches for 130 yards. This is beginning to look like the Dolphin defense we haven't seen since the loss at Arizona.
Miami, 14-13, at the half. Wonder why, with two timeouts left, they let the clock run out rather than take a couple of more shots downfield. Anyway, a nervous lead to say the least. Other than those 53- and 80-yard plays to Patrick Cobb, Dolphins have been generally outplayed. Agreed or no?
Uh oh. A 71-yard punt return TD by Houston pulls home team within one point. Dolphins' offense doing fine, but defense and special teams have not impressed today.
Texans another short FG, after another nice QB pressure by Joey Porter. Nice half by Miami so far, but Houston moving the ball continues as an ominous sign.
Patrick Cobb with a second huge TD play, this 80 yards with a screen pass, for a 14-3 Miami lead. This from the base offense, not the Wildcat. You'd heard of Cobb Salad? It's Cobb Sunday!
Texans chip in a short FG to draw within 7-3. Betting Tony Sparano pretty concerned right now with how Houston is moving the ball on his defense.
WILDCAT POWER! Patrick Cobb all alone for 53-yard pass from Chad Pennington out of Wildcat formation, after ball is lateraled back to Pennington. The phenomenon is growing!
Another Dolphin pick, this by Andre Goodman. Matt Schaub booed off field. Houston showing ability to move ball on Miami prior to sabotage by their QB.
Big, acrobatic interception by LB Akin Ayodele forced by pressure from Joey Porter, but Dolphins quickly stall and punt. No Wildcat on first series.
Game on!
Are y'all ready for some football? Noticed that all the homer-writers in The Herald today (including me) picked a Miami win. I am not deployed to today's game so I'll be watching on TV while picking my nose just like you. Worked the Panthers' home opener last night. Any cross-pollinating out there? Any Panthers fans dialing into Dolphins today?
Original post:
The Dolphins, off consecutive mega-impressive wins over New England and San Diego, a 3-point underdog to a winless Houston? Hmm. It tells you the Texans are better than their record. It also suggests people still aren't sold on Miami.
I like the Dolphins in an upset. Houston is giving up the fourth-most points in the league, and I trust Chad Pennington more than I trust Matt Schaub. I also trust Tony Sparano and his staff to have this team prepared. That means mentally, and that means ready for what the opponent has.
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Oh man.........Greg has picked a Dolphins win. Not good. The anti-pick hasn't had one correct yet. Doesn't look good folks.
Posted by: OC Dolphin | October 12, 2008 at 12:14 PM
Two picks already. Amazing.
Posted by: Dave in VA | October 12, 2008 at 01:18 PM
I'm a little damp!
Posted by: Dave in VA | October 12, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Wildcat! Rooowwrrr!!!
Posted by: Noel | October 12, 2008 at 01:20 PM
Un f****ng believable!
Posted by: OC Dolphin | October 12, 2008 at 01:21 PM
maybe the Hurricanes should try the wildcat. Their base offense sure isn't working
Posted by: Noel | October 12, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Despite the two INTs, the D looks like crap so far.
Posted by: Dave in VA | October 12, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Can we come up with a Wildcat package for the defense? Like lining up the punter at nose tackle, or something?
Posted by: OC Dolphin | October 12, 2008 at 01:41 PM
We have issues in all parts of Texas in bball and football
Posted by: jc | October 12, 2008 at 01:44 PM
Hey we are up so why is the tone so down? Lets be positive.
Posted by: JC | October 12, 2008 at 01:46 PM
Now I'm pretty damn moist.
Posted by: Dave in VA | October 12, 2008 at 01:47 PM
See positive...the offense now has confidents since running out the clock last week...the defense may not have the depth we need to be fresh ..stay positive
Posted by: JC | October 12, 2008 at 01:47 PM
What's up Dave in VA from Jay in MD..where is Jimbo?
Posted by: JC | October 12, 2008 at 01:48 PM
When did we become such an explosive offense?
Posted by: get jiggy with it | October 12, 2008 at 01:48 PM
Lets not forget all NFL players are the best from college..so confidence and coaching go a long way
Posted by: JC | October 12, 2008 at 01:51 PM
I hear you JC, but this special teams unit makes me cringe before every kick-off.
Posted by: Dave in VA | October 12, 2008 at 01:52 PM
JC, where in MD?
Posted by: Dave in VA | October 12, 2008 at 01:56 PM
I'll trade seven points for three every time.
Posted by: OC Dolphin | October 12, 2008 at 01:56 PM
anne arundel county by fort meade and u
Posted by: JC | October 12, 2008 at 02:02 PM
That's why I cringe with the special teams on the field.
Posted by: Dave in VA | October 12, 2008 at 02:04 PM
That sucked!
Posted by: OC Dolphin | October 12, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Our not so special team strike again.
Posted by: Noel | October 12, 2008 at 02:05 PM
tough to beat a team that is this talented who is 0-4...plus, Miami is learning to win..they had a lot of media coverage this week so they need to overcome the ego and get humble and work
Posted by: JC | October 12, 2008 at 02:06 PM
"We can't wait to play the Dolphins"--All NFL kickoff and punt reurners
Posted by: Noel | October 12, 2008 at 02:09 PM
Dave where do you watch the games?
Posted by: JC | October 12, 2008 at 02:10 PM
JC, I watch at home, Sunday Ticket. I live between Fredericksburg and the 301 bridge into Maryland.
Save for the two picks and big pass plays to Cobbs, the Dolphins are getting beat. Hopefully a hearty dose of Soprano's nuts in the locker will bring out a different sense of urgency and a higher give-a-shit factor from the Phins. I'd hate to see them lose to an 0-4 team, though the Texans are a hell of a lot better than their record.
Posted by: Dave in VA | October 12, 2008 at 02:25 PM
Spot on Dave.
Posted by: OC Dolphin | October 12, 2008 at 02:31 PM
You've got to know that Kubiac is telling his team that the only reason they are down 1 is due to trick plays.
Posted by: OC Dolphin | October 12, 2008 at 02:33 PM
That was stupid not going for it with 1" - Have the damn Texans even been penalized once?
Posted by: OC Dolphin | October 12, 2008 at 02:44 PM
Finally, just a straight-up, old fashioned football TD drive.
Posted by: Dave in VA | October 12, 2008 at 02:51 PM
Is RB hurt?
Posted by: get jiggy with it | October 12, 2008 at 02:51 PM
Don't know where Camarillo came from (before his OT TD catch against the Ravens last year I'd never heard of him), but he seems almost Welker-esque, doesn't he?
Posted by: Dave in VA | October 12, 2008 at 02:55 PM
Come on, Defense!
Posted by: Noel | October 12, 2008 at 02:56 PM
Still looking for the refs to call their first drive ending holding call against the Texans.......any call.
Posted by: OC Dolphin | October 12, 2008 at 02:59 PM
They're a lucky team for the first time in recent memory, I'll say that.
Posted by: Dave in VA | October 12, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Dodged a bullet there. Woo!
Posted by: OC Dolphin | October 12, 2008 at 03:05 PM
Have the Texans gone three-and-out today?
Posted by: Dave in VA | October 12, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Don't really want this game to come down to a field goal - by the Texans! Our luck is not so good getting these guys off of the field on third downs.
Posted by: Rick | October 12, 2008 at 03:13 PM
Wow they just did. I like the way that worked.
Has Ricky busted a 75 yard TD run yet today?
Posted by: Dave in VA | October 12, 2008 at 03:18 PM
We need long drive like the one that ended last weeks game - and finish it with a touchdown!
Posted by: Rick | October 12, 2008 at 03:18 PM
How about a middle screen?
Posted by: Rick | October 12, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Anybody here ready to call for the NFL to fire Hoculi and his crew?
Posted by: Rick | October 12, 2008 at 03:27 PM
They just wasted their second time-out. This is going to come back to bite them in the ass.
Posted by: Dave in VA | October 12, 2008 at 03:27 PM
What happened to the D that stuffed the Pats and Bolts? I guess we just can't change time zones.
Posted by: Rick | October 12, 2008 at 03:35 PM
There should be a stat for what Hill just did.
Posted by: Dave in VA | October 12, 2008 at 03:37 PM
this game shows just how far the Chargers and Patriots have fallen.
Posted by: Noel | October 12, 2008 at 03:38 PM
Hello Ginn, where are you?
Posted by: Noel | October 12, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Sometimes you just got to be lucky!
Posted by: Rick | October 12, 2008 at 03:44 PM
6 would look good here!
Posted by: Rick | October 12, 2008 at 03:48 PM
I'll take luck over a loss Rick...
Posted by: Dave in VA | October 12, 2008 at 03:48 PM