Hoping to be in a win-win situation
Dolphins don’t want 1st victory to become just a standalone event
DAVIE — Brian Flores enjoyed a number of congratulatory messages, from friends and old coaches throughout his life, after his first win as Miami Dolphins coach earlier this week.
He also enjoyed dinner with his wife, Jennifer, following Miami’s victory over the New York Jets on Sunday night, where she told him about a lifelong Dolphins fan who attends every home game and was finally able to celebrate a win with his son.
Even after accomplishing a personal goal, Flores thought about how special his first win was to other people and how many other Dolphins fans were able to experience their first win of the season.
The Dolphins are no longer winless and seem to be trending upward after a disappointing start 0-7 start. So when can Flores, the Dolphins and their fans
expect the next win to come?
“It’s good to get one,” Flores said. “Now the only thing better than one victory is two.”
An NFL victory opens a world of newfound hope for a Dolphins team that has found its footing in recent weeks despite an extensive roster overhaul and eye toward the future.
It also greatly affects Miami’s position in the 2020 NFL draft, where the Dolphins own three first-round picks among myriad selections that could ultimately aid their rebuilding process.
As of right now, it also dropped Miami out of contention for the No. 1 pick. The Dolphins sit higher than the Cincinnati Bengals (0-8), Washington Redskins (1-8) and Jets (1-7) in the overall standings.
But Miami was able to play a complete game in its 26-18 win over former coach Adam Gase and the Jets that ended a 10-game losing streak dating to last season’s Miami Miracle victory over the New England Patriots.
“The first win was definitely fun, but our goal is not just to win one game,” standout linebacker Jerome Baker said.
The victory showed how Miami was able to finally get over the proverbial hump after staging a fourth-quarter comeback that fell one point short against the Redskins in Week 6, and holding halftime leads against the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers before unraveling in the second half.
Now the Dolphins will travel to face the Indianapolis Colts (5-3) on Sunday in a Week 10 matchup. Palm Beach County native Jacoby Brissett, who is questionable to play because of a sprained medial collateral ligament in his knee, has filled in admirably for the Colts following the abrupt retirement of quarterback Andrew Luck before the season.
It will be a stiff challenge for the Dolphins, but getting a victory under their belt finally allowed them to see the fruits of their labor — throughout the offseason, preseason and first eight weeks of the regular season — since Flores became their coach earlier this year.
“It builds confidence,” Dolphins safeties coach Tony Oden said of the first win. “It validates some things. It also lets us know we did it, but we still got a long way to go.
“So when you put your foot on the gas pedal, you can press down a little harder right now. You hold on to that steering wheel a little bit tighter, take that curve a little bit stronger. Keep going, keep going.”
The Dolphins, however, remain one of the worst teams in the NFL in several statistical categories despite their improved play in recent weeks.
Miami has the third-worst offense, scoring only 12.9 points and gaining just 262.3 yards per game. The Dolphins defense still is last in the NFL, allowing 32 points per game. Their turnover margin of minus-17 is also worst in the league.
While the Dolphins were able to beat a dysfunctional Jets team last week, a competent, wellcoached team will take advantage of Miami’s miscues and deficiencies in the final eight weeks of the regular season.
Still, the Dolphins’ improvements could lead to more victories this season.
Following the Colts game, the Dolphins will have their second divisional game against the Bills (who are 6-2 and beat them 31-21 on Oct. 20) in Week 11. They also host the Philadelphia Eagles (5-4) in Week 13. Their season finale will be in New England against the Patriots (8-1).
Games that seem more for the Dolphins to win:
Week 12 on the road against the Cleveland Browns, who are a disappointing 2-6 under first-year coach Freddie Kitchens, secondyear quarterback Baker Mayfield, star receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and former Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry.
Back-to-back games in New York, first against the Jets in Week 14 and then versus rookie quarterback Daniel Jones and the Giants (2-7) in Week 15.
Miami’s final home game of the season in Week 16 against the Bengals could decide which team lands the No. 1 pick. Another Dolphins win will seal their fate of not landing the top pick even before the season finale on the road against the Patriots in Week 17.
Before Flores and the Dolphins start worrying about wins, losses and draft position, however, they hope to simply continue to improve on the positives during their 1-7 start while putting the negatives behind them.
“We’re always going to come out and compete, play hard and try to play tough,” Flores said. “It will always be that way.
“We want to execute and try to play at a good clip, at a good level, at a winning level. That’s the goal. Whether we achieve that, that’s up to us.” likely
Linebacker Jerome Baker spent part of last Sunday’s game looking for