What's at stake next weekend

[dolphins4life]

Miami can earn it's first sweep of the Patriots since 2000.

The Chiefs lost, so Miami once again has a chance to play spoiler to the Patriots and hurt their playoff seedings.

Honestly, the 2019 victory over NE has literally been the only highlight since 2016 for Miami

[Dave Gray]

Nothing.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Absolutely nothing. It would be nice to end the year with a win and get the Eagles a worse draft pick but it wouldn't even matter if we won by 50 points with the season over because we just lose by 30 with the season on the line.

[masterfins]

I think Dolphin Pride is on the line next week.  To be able to bounce back from a tough loss and go out and play your division rival tough for 60 minutes means a lot.  It shows what kind of character this team and coaching staff is made of.  I'll be royally pee'd off if they decide to phone it in next week; I'll be upset if they lose but won't feel too bad if they fight the entire game.

[Phishfan]

Master is 100 percent correct. You have to start building a culture and not coming correct means things aren't close to turning around.

[EDGECRUSHER]

Master is 100 percent correct. You have to start building a culture and not coming correct means things aren't close to turning around.

It's definitely better to end with a win than a loss, but the time to show "Dolphin Pride" was on Sunday and we got blown out with everything on the line. So, I wouldn't put too much stock in us winning a game with virtually no stakes attached.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Almost nothing.  Unless the Jets win, the Dolphins can’t even play a spoiler role.  I would rest anyone banged up and would benefit from a week off.  Win or lose on Sunday, NE needs to win 3 road wins to go to LA.  5 seed vs 7 seed is meaningless.

[stinkfish]

At stake next week is for me to bust the balls of every Patsies fan that I know, work with, and even say hi to on a daily basis.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

At stake next week is for me to bust the balls of every Patsies fan that I know, work with, and even say hi to on a daily basis.

How?  Assuming the Dolphins win, my response would be “Congratulations on your win.  By the way who are the Dolphins playing this week?  Oh, that’s right they didn’t make the playoffs AGAIN.  When was the last time the fish made the playoffs”.

Buffalo fans can give some stinging trash talk.  A Miami fan strutting shit even with a week 18 win that wouldn’t even be much of a spoiler is really weak.

[stinkfish]

Bragging rights man. Especially when we're talking about a sweep? By a very inferior team? I know plenty of your ilk and it would really grind their gears.

[Dave Gray]

I think the only thing at stake, realistically, is optics.

By that, I mean that if we go out and just lie down and get demolished by the Pats, the front office probably has a really easy path to fire Flores if they want to.  They have a good argument and it won't be a bad look.

I think to fire a coach that won 8 out of 9 to end the year is a bad look.  And while I don't think it would be fair to criticize the organization, there is the fact that you're firing a black coach where plenty of white slapdicks have gotten another year.  They might just not want that heat.

But to lose two in a row and finish under .500 is a case you can spin to get rid of the guy.  ...especially if those last two games are uncompetitive.  And after how we haven't won big games in the past.

[CF DolFan]

I think the only thing at stake, realistically, is optics.

By that, I mean that if we go out and just lie down and get demolished by the Pats, the front office probably has a really easy path to fire Flores if they want to.  They have a good argument and it won't be a bad look.

I think to fire a coach that won 8 out of 9 to end the year is a bad look.  And while I don't think it would be fair to criticize the organization, there is the fact that you're firing a black coach where plenty of white slapdicks have gotten another year.  They might just not want that heat.

But to lose two in a row and finish under .500 is a case you can spin to get rid of the guy.  ...especially if those last two games are uncompetitive.  And after how we haven't won big games in the past.

I agree with you but I don't think Ross fires anyone this year. I could be wrong and he could be getting desperate as he ages but he typically gives out a lot of rope to allow people to hang themselves. In the football world anyway. I can only guess he is more direct in the construction world.

[Dave Gray]

^ I agree with you.

I just think that is the public turns on Flores, they might see an out and take it.  It's hard to sell season tickets when everyone hates your coach.

[EDGECRUSHER]

^ I agree with you.

I just think that is the public turns on Flores, they might see an out and take it.  It's hard to sell season tickets when everyone hates your coach.

You're both right. Fair or not, firing a black coach who ended the year winning 8 of 9 will look really bad, especially if the black GM goes with him. Us Miami fans know it was justified but it's going to be bad press, especially if he is replaced with Harbaugh.

Sadly, I also don't think he will be fired even if we lose by 40 on Sunday. Ross gives way too much rope to people and he gives it to the wrong people time and time again.

[DenverFinFan]

Beat the supreme evil and go 9-8. Make a statement that you aren’t just wasting our time. This goes for Tua and the coaching staff ( mostly the coaching staff ) go and prove something.

If we finish 9-8 with a sweep of the pats I’ll be as happy as can with this season.

It’s very disappointing regardless but if this happens I can live with it and think it warrants one more year with this project.