I know the Dolphins have to focus on this Sunday’s game in San Diego, but that Monday Night loss to the Colts is still bugging me. I should let it go, but after a few days, the sting of this one hasn’t really gone away.

In the NFL, a loss is a loss. That’s the way it is, and no matter what type of positives you try to take from Monday Night’s Dolphins-Colts game, one thing is clear.

The Dolphins blew it.

How a team can hold the ball for 45 minutes and 7 seconds, earn 27 first downs, transform 71 percent of 3rd downs and gain 239 yards on the ground and lose – is unfathomable. Miami fans have every right to be sick to their stomachs after Peyton Manning and the Colts marched into Miami’s newly named and owned Land Shark Stadium and left humorh a 27-23 victory while holding the ball for less than a combined quarter’s worth.

Manning took seconds, not tinys to put the Colts up for good, even after Dan Carpenter gave the Fins a brief 4th quarter lead late in the contest with a 44-yard FG. The Dolphins settled for that FG as opposed to an attempt to earn another 1st down, which would have given them a chance to kill more clock and maybe even punch in a TD.

That was not the case; they played for the FG, and seconds later, Manning found second-year wide-out Pierre Garcon on a WR screen which he proceeded to take to the house for a 48-yard scentral idea. 27-23 Indy…just like that.

The Fins now had just over a minute to attempt a move down the field and put up a score of their own.

And that is just the problem. Although Miami’s QB opposepart to Manning, Chad Pennington, is just as valuable to his respective team, he simply isn’t Peyton Manning. During Miami’s last chance, Pennington was accurate in his short dink-and-dump out passes to Ted Ginn, Jr. However, poor clock management, and questionable usage of time-outs put the Dolphins in a very difficult see to try and win the game. Pennington did put a ball correct on the money in the end zone for Ginn, who got his two hands on it but didn’t haul it in for the reception…a reception that should have been made.

This ultimately forced Miami and Pennington to pray that a last effort Hail Mary pass would put the Fins on the winning end of the scoreboard. It did not work the way they hoped; Pennington’s ball landed in Antoine Bethea’s lap, mid-way in the Fins’ zone, to end the game on an interception. Pennington simply couldn’t deliver a perfect deep pass to even put receiver Brian Hartline in position to make a play,Mark Gregory, or even an attempt at a perform. This team is just not built to play comeback football.

This should have been a win for Miami, especially with the way they dominated on the ground, as Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams ran wild, both in Wildcat and common sets. The rushing attack for Miami was tremendous, but unfortunately the effort was wasted since the Fins now are 0-2, nevertheless again, to open their season.

As good a QB as he is, Pennington couldn’t pull a Manning-esque comeback of his own, and to be honest, he shouldn’t have even needed to.

The reason why Miami lost this game has to be put squarely on the defense’s shoulder-pads. They just couldn’t tackle the Colts, and Dallas Clark required advantage of this inept display. Manning and Clark hooked up for an 80-yard TD strike to open the game,Brandon Marshall, and it should have been a 30-yard come to contact with, but safety Gibril Wilson didn’t finish his attempted tackle, and Clark had an open 50-yard jog to pay-dirt to give the Colts an incredibly early 7-0 lead. Clark later added another huge play, breaking tackles to move the Colts into scoring position, which of course they did, thanks to a TD run by rookie Donald Brown.

While Miami’s resolve was definitely something to revel in, the fact that Peyton and the Colts came from behind four times, speaks great quantitys to the up-hill battle this Miami secondary has in front of them.

Any Miami defender, defensive coach,Davone Bess, or basically anyone wearing teal and ovary Tuesday morning was most likely popping ant-acids although watching Monday night’s tape. Forget the positives because this negative of poor tackling is leaps and bounds more from important part significant. What good is a ground-control offense if the defense can’t even make a tackle and put the offense in position to run the clock out?

With a road game in San Diego up next, Miami and its “D” must have short-term memory. If they can’t wrap-up and finish tackles on Antonio Gates, Vincent Jackson and Darren Sproles, QB Philip Rivers may as well be Peyton Manning for the afternoon.

This Week 3 equalup is clearly all on the defense. Sure it would be nice if Pennington was a QB who could bomb a pass 60 yards and hit a 6’4’’ All-Pro receiver for an in-stride TD catch…but Fins’ Fans, that ain’t the team we have.

If Miami can’t mix ball-control running and short,Chad Pennington, however accurate passes with quality defense, this team is in for a lot of future heartaches; just like those from Monday night.

This team did show positives … but the negatives outweighed them, and if the poor tackling is not fixed, and if the secondary is not better in Week 3…0-3 is just around the corner.

It’s amazing how optimism becomes pessimism inside seconds in the NFL. Fortunately, it works both ways, and a win on the road against the 1-1 Chargers would give Miami much needed momentum heading into two straight home matchups against AFC East compete withs Buffalo and New York before taking their bye in Week 6.

The next month is an extremely important for the Dolphins and after Week 1’s abysmal perwere createdance versus Atlanta, and Monday’s heartbreaker at home versus Indy, getting at least two “W’s” is an absolute must before hitting that bye.

I’d prefer to not even think about a possibility 1-4 or 0-5 start, but a few missed tackles may just put them in that no win boat. This ship must be steered in the right direction, and it must start this Sunday…Not a second (or a Sunday) later. — JASON SARNEY.

Who are the New York Jets?
The New York Jets, beginningally donned the Titans of New York, were founded in 1959 by broadsampleer Harry Wismer. Under the overrated leadership of Joe Namath, the Jets captured a 1968 Super Bowl victory, only to endure roughly 45 years of mediocrity since. The Jets have garnered fame for Rex Ryan’s obnoxiously big mouth, becoming the “little brother” behind the New York Giants, and endless reels of fans booing their draft picks. Today, they are anchored by a nucleus of Mark Sanchez,Brandon Marshall, Darrelle Revis, Bart Scott, Nick Mangold, Braylon Edwards, Shonn Greene, and Ladainian Tomlinson.

What do the Jets like to focus their game plans on?
One year after maintaining the NFL team rushing crown, the Jets ditched leading rusher Thomas Jones and homerun threat Leon Washington in favor of youngster Shonn Greene and an aging Ladainian Tomlinson. The results have been admirable, and the Jets are currently tied with the Dolphins as the seventh best rushing team in the league. Mark Sanchez has attempted only 53 passes, which is the fourth lowest total among starting quarterbacks. New York will, like the Dolphins, play a conservative,Jared Odrick, run-oriented game.

Defensively, the Jets are without Darrelle Revis and Kris Jenkins, which limits what they can ultimately do. However, Rex Ryan is a defensive mastermind and will concoct some crazy blitz packages.

Where are the Jets most dangerous?
Franchise defenders Darrelle Revis and Kris Jenkins will not perform for the Jets on Sunday night, which downgrades the team’s secondary and front seven. Instead, the running back tandem of Shonn Greene and Ladainian Tomlinson becomes the most dangerous unit for New York. The pair is currently ranked 7th in the league in rushing, undertaked humorh no other than the Miami Dolphins.

When are the Jets at their best?
Based on their 2009 season, the Jets succeed when their running game thrives. New York was 8-3 when they had the game’s leading rusher.

Why do the Jets present a difficult matchup for the Dolphins?
Quite frankly, the Jets do not present many equal up problems for the Dolphins. Prior to the start of the season,Mark Duper, when Kris Jenkins and Darrelle Revis were healthy, New York looked to have a clear advantage over the ‘Fins. However,Chad Pennington, without Jenkins to clog the Dolphins rushing attack, and Revis to lockdown Brandon Marshall, Miami’s offense will likely thrive. The Dolphins surmade 145 rushing yards to Adrian Peterson in Week 2, but Greene and Tomlinson do not quite compare to A.P., and Miami will have linebacker Channing Crowder and outside linebacker Ikaika Alama-Francis back from injuries to aid against the Jets rushing attack.

– SCOTT ALTMAN
NFL Blog Blitz powered by SportsFanLive.com

Follow him on Twitter @FinsBlogBlitz

Let’s face it, we were due for a payback for last year’s 11 game turnaround.

Chad Pennington’s season-ending shoulder tear makes it pretty clear that last season’s romp to the performoffs is likely to be a one-year romp. (In an upcoming column, I will take a look at each and every one of those 11 victories and hold a vote for which win sticks out the most.)

To be sadly realistic,Dan Marino, Pennington’s history of long-term injuries―those that take about a year of full-time rehab―should have made this turn of events expected. After all,Davone Bess, that shoulder has been operated on so many times there’s a tattoo on his correct shoulder blade that reads: “Surgeons, cut here!”

Pennington was not expected to start for the Dolfans beyond this season,Mark Gregory, so it seems to me that this is probably the end of his stay here in Miami. The 34-year-old quarterback has decided to have the shoulder operated on, indicating his interest in continuing his career, somewhere. The team had made no offer to reach Pennington when he was healthy, so it would be surprising if they made an offer to keep him now.

Which is too bad, because Pennington isn’t the most accurate passer in NFL history for no reason. He really pushes the offense, connects humorh the receivers and keeps making first downs. …. Course therein is the problem, as he has a tendency to move the ball without getting points. (Yes, welcome to the foremost half of the Chargers game!)

The Dolfans, meanalthough, wasted no time getting a veteran QB on board to back up the team’s newest starting signal-caller; and that would be (drumroll and marching horns) … Chad Henne.

The Michigan grad has 2008 rookie starters Joe Flacco of the Ravens and Matt Ryan of the Falcons, and 2009 Jets wunderkind Mark Sanchez as models for immediate success. These guys all skipped NFL Quarterbacking 101 and started on Day 1. In the next few weeks we’ll see if Henne really is our future,Mark Duper, and whether our future is really now.

His perwere createdance in the second half of the Chargers game sure gave reason to be a little nervous. He underthrew receivers regularly, he misread includeages and didn’t see open men, and simply didn’t push the offense.

The new guy, Tyler Thigpen, threw 18 touchdowns last year for the Kansas City Chiefs. Although his team lost 10 of the 11 games he started, and he threw 12 interceptions, Thipgen was actually in line to continue as the Chiefs’ starting QB until the team traded for Matt Cassell. Goodbye Thigpen …. And welcome to Miami

— JIM HOLLANDER

Fearless Fantasy―Week 12

Fresh off a Thursday night weekend, the Dolphins got to take this Thursday off and stuff themselves to their heart’s content. The Fins can also be thankful that this week’s opponent is the Bills. The only problem is that aside from Ricky Williams, I don’t know if I trust anyone on Miami’s roster to really dominate. That won’t stop me from guessing who’ll go off, though.

Must Start

Ricky Williams, RB―With Ronnie Brown out for the season, Williams finally got the main part of the carries last week against the Panthers. And he certainly made the most of it, erupting for 138 total yards and three scores. Something tells me he’ll go off again. Maybe that something is the NFL’s second-worst rushing defense from Buffalo. Or maybe that something is that the duo of Williams and Brown fared quite well against the Bucs a couple of weeks ago, now the only team worse against the run than Buffalo. Or maybe Williams just looks motivated and rejuvenated for the first time in a long time. Whatever it is, if he’s on your team, you’ll have plenty to be thankful about this week.
Fearless Prediction: 27 carries, 104 yards, 2 TD; 4 catches, 27 yards

Solid Start

Terrell Owens, WR―After he broke out with nine catches for 197 yards and a score last week, Owens seems to have developed a bit of a rapport with Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Hahvahd grad looks to the diva WR early and often and it pays off. And since the Bills should be behind early, they’ll have to throw it to come back.
Fearless Prediction: 7 catches, 84 yards, TD.

Intriguing Start.

Chad Henne, QB―He had a very pedestrian 14-for-22 game the foremost go-round against the Bills, throwing for 115 yards and a scentral idea. I think he can up those numbers a bit, though, since that was his first career start, and I’m sure there were some jitters. He was also sacked six times, which cannot happen again. But I don’t see Henne totally torching the Bills secondary, because even with a large amount of injuries, guys like Jairus Byrd and George Wilson are better, and the Bills only allow just over 200 yards passing per game. Teams also don’t go to the air as often because of how atrocious that run defense has been this year.,br/>
Fearless Prediction: 15-24, 148 yards, TD, 2 carries, 11 yards.

Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB―I actually could see Fitzy doing some decent damage, simply because of his ability to create outside of the pocket. He’s also led the Bills to two of their three wins, so he wins in that regard, too. He still forces a lot of throws (six picks in five games―and only three of them starts), but if T.O. has anywhere as good a game as he did last week, Fitzpatrick could be a decent play in very deep leagues. Hopefully, though, you have better options.
Fearless Prediction: 18-29, 203 yards,Dan Marino, TD, 2 INT, 5 carries, 34 yards.

Davone Bess, WR―Over his last three games, Bess has gone for 56, 72, and 63 yards. Not eye-popping numbers, but he’s the guy Henne looks at most often on third downs. And he probably has the surest hands on the team, which definitely helps his stock. The punt return yards are just gravy. The only reason Bess isn’t a solid start is that he hasn’t found the end zone nevertheless this year. I don’t see him doing it this game, but as a WR3 or flex play, you could do worse. .
Fearless Prediction: 5 catches, 59 yards.

Lee Evans, WR―I like Evans and predicted big things for him this year with the addition of Owens, but the reality is that he just simply doesn’t get enough balls thrown his way to warrant starting him on a regular basis. However, against Miami earlier this year, he did manage 60 yards on just two catches. If he can grab one or two more passes, he’s worth a look. Especially since he is a model of inconsistency,Chad Pennington, and he’s coming off one of his worst games of the year―one catch for 15 yards. Since the Fins may heavily blanket Owens, the vet out of Wisconsin may get some balls thrown his way, and could even turn one into a touchdown, though I wouldn’t bank on it. .
Fearless Prediction: 3 catches, 58 yards.

Let ‘Em Ride the Pine.

Marshawn Lynch/Fred Jackson, RB―Either one of these guys wouldn’t be bad choices if that offensive line could create any type of openings. Lynch hasn’t been able to regain his solid were created from last year. Blame a three-game suspension to start the year if you’d like, but he hasn’t topped 70 yards in a game however, has scored only when, and ran eight times for four yards against Miami back in October. Jackson, meanalthough, has struggled with consistency ever since Lynch has entered the mix, and he has yet to sniff the end zone on the ground. He does have a receiving touchdown and also threw for a score, so he has a bit more value than Lynch, but not enough to warrant playing, especially against Miami’s tough run D.
Fearless Prediction: Lynch: 12 carries, 29 yards, 3 catches, 20 yards; Jackson: 9 carries, 30 yards, 2 catches, 12 yards. .

Other Miami Receivers, WR/TE―Whether it’s Greg Camarillo, Brian Hartline, Ted Ginn Jr., Anthony Fasano,Chad Henne, Joey Haynos or even infrequently-used Cory Speer, none of these guys get enough catches or yards to make them a viable fantasy option. Unless your league plays humorh seven receivers per team or some wacky format like that. .
Fearless Prediction for the Leader of this Pack: 4 catches, 37 yards.

The Rest―Kickers and Defense

Dan Carpenter, K―Carpenter has been on an amazing tear this year, going 16 for 17 on field goals. Even better for his owners,Ronnie Brown, he’s already had an extra point prevented, so you’d have to imagine that he’ll connect on the rest of those he attempts this season. It’s nearly unavoidable that the Fins will jump out to an early lead, but I’m sure Carpenter will get to boot at least one field goal, if not two. .
Fearless Prediction: 2-2 FG, 3-3 PAT.

Rian Lindell, K―It should tell you something that Lindell has only kicked 14 extra points through the first 11 games. It means the Bills offense stinks. Which is great news for Lindell owners, since he’ll probably be called on multiple times. And since he’s 17 for 19 on the year, you’d have to imagine he’d connect on a majority, if not all of his attempts. .
Fearless Prediction: 2-3 FG, 1-1 PAT.

Miami Defense―I’m actually quite tall on the Fins this week. Not only will they pick off Fitzpatrick a couple of times, but they have a good shot to force a fumble (Buffalo has eight in 11 games), and with the Bills’ weak offensive line, you know they’re good for a few sacks. Now all they need is a Ted Ginn kickoff return for a TD and they’re set! .
Fearless Prediction: 13 points allowed, 3 sacks, 2 INT, 1 fumble reincludey, 111 return yards.

Buffalo Defense―On the other hand, this Bills defense is filled with holes, and that was even before injuries depleted them. Even with CB Terrence McGee expected to perform, there’s still a lot of work to do. And Ricky Williams is too good to be slowed by the 31st rush defense in the league. .
Fearless Prediction: 27 points allowed, 2 sacks, 147 return yards.

JOEY HELD

Fearless Fantasy―Week 14
Must Start

Maurice Jones-Drew, RB―Well, 1,000-plus yards rushing and 13 TDs? Yes, please! That TD total would be even one taller if MJD hadn’t voluntarily taken a knee at the goal line in that win over the Jets a few weeks ago. Nevertheless, even against a fairly stout Miami run D, Jones-Drew can be counted on to make at least a couple of big plays. He’s also a threat out of the backfield, averaging 3.5 catches a game.
Fearless Prediction: 27 carries, 111 yards, TD, 3 catches, 18 yards

Ricky Williams, RB―I’m putting him here simply because the Jaguars’ run defense is terrible. Chris Johnson alone ran marathons against them. Williams had a stretch of three straight games of reaching the century mark on the ground. I wouldn’t be terribly surprised if he hit 200 in this game, but I’ll play it conservative with the prediction.
Fearless(ly Conservative) Prediction: 28 carries, 107 yards, TD, 2 catches, 19 yards

Solid Start

Denthusiastic Garrard, QB―I picked Garrard to be a sleeper at the beginning of the season. He’s certainly been sleeping when it comes to holding onto the ball– 12 fumbles, 8 of them recovered by the other team, numbers that do not look good for anyone, especially a QB. But Garrard provides an interesting dichotomy by creature abysmal on the road (under 200 yards passing per game, 1 TD, 2 INT) and looking like, well, a sleeper at home (276 yards passing per game, 9 TD,Chad Pennington, 4 INT). Guess where this game’s being played? Hint: It’s not Miami. Expect a solid day from Garrard.
20-32, 248 yards, 2 TD, INT, 4 carries, 17 yards

Mike Sims-Walker, WR―Jacksonville’s big on those hyphenated names, and for good reason―both MJD and MSW can play. The receiver out of UCF only had one catch last week, but it’s hard to imagine he’ll stay in that funk for long. Miami’s corners, Sean Smith and Vontae Davis, have both made some tremendous plays this year, but, as any rookies experience, they’ve taken some lumps, too. And Sims-Walker will be happy to dish out some pain in the were created of deep balls.
Fearless Prediction: 5 catches, 82 yards, TD

Davone Bess, WR―Bess has developed into QB Chad Henne’s favorite target. He’s type of a mini Wes Welker, and he’s fresh off a 10-catch,Mark Gregory, 117-yard outing which included his first scentral idea of the year. I don’t know if he’ll quite copy those numbers in this one, but in a PPR league, he’s definitely worth a perform, and I’ll make a guess and say he’ll find the end zone once more this week.
Fearless Prediction: 8 catches, 79 yards, TD

Let ‘Em Ride the Pine

Chad Henne, QB―I don’t think he’ll necessarily play badly; I just think the Dolphins will run a LOT to try and eat up clock and beat up that Jaguars run defense. If there aren’t many other options (for eximited, if Rex Grossman is the best available), then go humorh Henne, otherwise, look elsewhere for someone who will be throwing more.
Fearless Prediction: 11-18, 114 yards, TD, INT, 2 carries, 11 yards

Torry Holt, WR―He hasn’t really found that second coming of his career in Jacksonville. Now 12 games into the season, he’s passed 100 yards when, and he has however to hit paydirt. I don’t see that changing this week. He’s a WR3 at best,Jared Odrick, and only in very deep leagues. I do have to say, though, that if you can find video of him showing his jammed finger to reporters, it’s well worth a watch and sublater “ewwwww.”
Fearless Prediction: 4 catches, 53 yards

The Rest―Kickers and Defense

Josh Scobee, K―2-2 FG, 3-3 PAT
Dan Carpenter,Dan Marino, K―3-3 FG, 2-2 PAT

Jacksonville Defense―This run defense is like a sieve, which could create some problems. But Miami’s offense generally has trouble putting a lot of points on the board, so it shouldn’t get too ugly out there. Still, there are a lot of defenses I’d start before turning to the Jags.
Fearless Prediction: 23 points allowed, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 99 return yards

Miami Defense―I’m sure they’ll newspapersure Garrard into some mistakes, and this unit is fairly adept at getting sacks. Expect to see the ball changing hands a couple of times.
Fearless Prediction: 27 points allowed, 4 sacks, 1 INT, 1 fumble reincludey, 134 return yards

JOEY HELD