commendatory (adj) – expressing approval
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen.
Tyreek and Jaelan and Jaylen and Jalen.
But do you recall the most used playmaker of all?
De’Von Achane is the offense
Against the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins running back and general maker-of-plays De’Von Achane ran for 120 yards and 1 touchdown on 17 carries, while also gaining an additional 70 yards on 6 receptions. That’s 23 touches for him against 29 for the rest of the entire offense (counting Tua carries by 2-a for -1 yards, so could even be more like 27 touches).
While I love Achane, that type of workload doesn’t feel sustainable for either the remainder of this season or, more importantly, for future seasons.
Mike McDaniel’s offense throughout his tenure has, so far, been predicated on radical timing (to its own detriment) to accentuate Tua’s strengths as a passer and the receivers’ speed. Over the back half of this season, the passing side of things still remains extremely timing dependent, but the focal point of the offense has moved from last year’s keying in on Tyreek Hill (with a side of Jaylen Waddle) to Achane.
I lamented the odd shift from the wildly successful run game of 2023 that prioritized Raheem Mostert and a more physical (if you will) style of rushing in favor of a less successful run game in 2024 that de-emphasized those aspects. While it didn’t exactly revert to 2023’s glory, this week saw Mostert get 8 carries against the Niners, which seemed to trend in the right direction. In spite of that, Achane was still the feature back (and kind of feature receiver) and, despite the outcome of the game, it stresses future me out.
It’s very possible (like, supremely possible) that I’m wrong and Achane shows no durability issues and embarks on a long and storied career as a bellcow back reminiscent of Le’Veon Bell in his heyday. I just don’t want the Fins to take their latest greatest Christmas present and use it to shoot their eye out.
Dolphins’ defense showed up again
Miami’s D gave up a 300 yard passer in Brock Purdy, a 100 yard receiver in George Kittle, and an almost 100 yard (96) receiver in Deebo Samuel. Yet, they held the 49ers’ offense to 17 points and kept the run game in check to the tune of 81 yards.
Anthony Weaver gets criticism from some corners for what can fairly be considered, uh, wonky playcalling in certain situations, but overall I think he’s done a nice job in his first season, particularly given the injuries and (in my undeniably expert and constantly sought after opinion) lack of talent at key positions.
I’m gonna level with you here. I’m writing this on Christmas Eve and missing 24 hours of A Christmas Story, so we’re gonna fly through the rest of this like the Bumpus hounds fly through a Christmas morning turkey.
Injuries excuse the outcome
I want to specify that I don’t personally believe my own heading here, I just know how naysayers will nay and say. San Francisco is, objectively, jackslapped with injuries this year. They’re one of the teams who I feel is a little like Miami: their roster should be good enough for 15 wins, but here they sit with 6.
The thing about that is: I don’t care. They’re still a good team with great players, a great staff, and a proven system. They were in the Superbowl 10 months ago. So for Miami to play an all around solid game in the face of playoff elimination (though, to me, that ship has sailed until the minute they actually manage to weasel their way back in fully) against a team like that? That fills me with as much holiday cheer as Randy is full of mashed potatoes.
Jason Sanders has found his stride
Ignoring that one kickoff that went straight out of bounds, Jason Sanders continued to kick like… a guy who’s good at kicking? I’ve had too much nog to make respectable analogies.
Here’s the deal: Sanders is on one of his good seasons (nearly one of his best, really). 89% FG percentage with 11/13 from over 50 yards. He went 5/5 against San Francisco, logging 15 of the team’s 29 points, including another from long distance (54 yards).
That’s awesome. Good for him and good for Miami.
Mayhaps he will be in line for a major award.
Miami is still in the hunt, but is using a slingshot
My absolute favorite graphic on earth still includes Miami, showing them IN THE HUNT despite requiring a whole host of uncontrolled variables to go their way in order to eek out a visit to the postseason.
Feels familiar, eh?
It seems as if they’re in this position every year: fighting for their playoff lives with weapons so weak that, even if they vanquish all of their remaining opponents, they’ll still need outside assistance to really make any use of the kill.
I don’t know how far this metaphor can stretch, but the Fins are, again, going to war with a slingshot, needing multiple losses from multiple teams in addition to winning their final two games. It’s possible, sure. But it’s not likely and it’s hard to get truly jazzed until it happens.
Hopefully before we all go to that great North Pole in the sky, the Fins can head into the final sprint toward the postseason with some actual firepower.
Like an official Red Ryder carbine action two-hundred shot range model air rifle.
Do you want to meet me at a Chinese restaurant on Christmas night? We’ll bundle up for the cold until we can’t put our arms down. Don’t be a Scut Farkus. I’ll see you there and in the comments below.
