Avoid Costly Mistakes

The bugaboo for the Miami Dolphins over the past few seasons has been self-inflicted wounds. Even as recently as this preseason the Dolphins have struggled with committing big penalties in crucial situations. Penalties that either kill a drive on offense or continue the drive on defense. Ones that can ultimately cost them the game.

Penalties weren’t a huge issue for the Dolphins in their week one match-up with the Titans. They played a relatively clean game, aside from a few penalties and an arguably cheap shot on Titans offensive lineman Taylor Lewan. However, penalties aren’t the only self-inflicted wound a team can suffer. Inability to get off the field on third down and inefficiency in the red zone can be just as crippling.

The Miami Dolphins offense really struggled in the red zone on Sunday, and the defense could not get off the field on third down for much of the game. It didn’t prevent Miami from winning, thanks in large part to a couple of timely interceptions by all-world safety Reshad Jones, but they very well could have. And they very well might against this Jets team.

Divisional games are always a knock-down, drag-out fight for the Dolphins. They play every team in the division tough nearly every match-up, whether they’re out-matched on paper or the ones with the apparent advantage. Sunday should be no different. This game shouldn’t be a high-scoring affair, and will likely come down to the fourth quarter. Unless Miami commits the costly errors that allow them to lose control early.