While speculation on the Patriots quarterback situation in the wake of the injury to Jimmy Garoppolo dominates the headlines and airwaves in New England, it is a different story in south Florida. Searching for reactions from Miami on the Dolphins loss, I was mildly surprised to find that the big story was neither the Fins first half futility nor the second half comeback, but instead centered on what players did not stand for the national anthem. I suppose a contrived controversy that has nothing to do with the game should not be the least bit shocking. Clickbait rules the day.<\/p>\n
I was expecting to find a profusion of talk about how ineffective Miami was on both sides of the ball in the first half. Instead the focus of many discussions was on the Dolphin comeback. The fact that the Patriots were trying to run out the clock with a rookie third string quarterback was glossed over. Only one article brought up the fact that Miami was unable to defeat a Patriot club playing without five key starters.<\/p>\n
More than once it was pointed out that the Dolphins came close in games at Seattle and Foxboro, two of the most difficult places for a visiting team to walk away with a victory. I suppose when it has been eight years since your team has had a winning season your expectations are tempered. One playoff appearance in fifteen years can cause writers to seek silver linings, and result in fans finding moral victories.<\/p>\n
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