BLUE 1,026 Posted October 24, 2015 By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer (AP) -- The Miami Dolphins showed some life during Dan Campbell's successfull coaching debut. Whether or not they can build on that needed victory remains to be seen. Looking to win back-to-back games for the first time in almost a year, the Dolphins try again for their first victory over the visiting Houston Texans on Sunday. Mired in a three-game skid and dealing with the ramifications left from the firing of coach Joe Philbin, Miami (2-3) hardly looked like the frustrated and often lackadaisical group that was present prior to Sunday's 38-10 rout of Tennessee. "The sleeping giants have awoken," Dolphins owner Stephen Ross said. While that may be the case for the moment, the Dolphins have no reason to get complacent. Since 2000, there have been 25 in-season coaching changes, but only four times has that new coach won his first two games. "The challenge now is for these guys to not start patting themselves on the back," Campbell said. "We've been notorious for that around here. We get a big win, and then a lull the next week." Looking to post two straight wins for the first time since a three-game run from Oct.19-Nov. 2 of last season, Miami has yet to win at home and is 0-7 against Houston (2-4). Things won't get any easier with three straight road games at New England, Buffalo and Philadelphia to follow. However, these revitalized Dolphins feel they are ready for the challenge. "I don't think there is going to be a lull this time," left tackle Branden Albert said. "Guys are going to prepare to keep winning." Though Ryan Tannehill has thrown all seven of his interceptions in the last three games, he went 22 of 29 for 266 yards and also threw two touchdowns against the Titans after completing 56.7 percent of his passes in the first four games. Houston allowed 83 rushing yards in last Sunday's 31-20 win at Jacksonville, but Lamar Miller should feel confident after he had 113 and a TD on 19 carries against the Titans. He gained 131 yards and didn't score in the first four games. After allowing an average of 160.5 rushing yards in their first four, the Dolphins held Tennessee to 63. Defensive end Cameron Wake came into that contest without a sack but recorded four by game's end. Though that victory came against the one-win Titans, Campbell has always believed this Miami team has the talent to sustain that type of success. "I'm that high on what we have here," said Campbell, who spent the previous five seasons as an intern and tight ends coach with Miami. "We have the right balance of impact players and lunch-pail workers. "The energy and the speed at which we played (last) Sunday is what I was hoping we could get. I knew if we did that, we would be all right. We played faster. It came from a belief. Those guys were able to hope again. After that win, now you can start to believe." Houston might feel the same way after getting past the Jaguars to avoid a third straight defeat. "Consistency is the word, you have to try to do it again," Texans coach Bill O'Brien said. "Hey, understand what's at stake and they know, like I've said, now it is 10 one-game seasons, so now it's on to the next season, which is Miami. (The Dolphins are) a different team." Brian Hoyer earned a second consecutive start over Ryan Mallett after he went 24 of 36 for 293 yards with three TDs and no INTs. "He's our quarterback," O'Brien said about Hoyer, who has thrown eight touchdowns and two interceptors in four games. "We're going to stick with him. He's playing really well. He's playing at a high level, and we've got a lot of confidence in him." Hoyer's been helped by DeAndre Hopkins, who leads the NFL in receiving yards (726) and is second in receptions (52). He's averaged 10 catches and 158 yards in the last three games, and scored twice Sunday. "They are definitely clicking, man," tackle Duane Brown said. "Hoyer has done a great job not just with DeAndre, but with all of the receivers, the tight ends, the backs being able to click and get on the same page and get in sync. The connection they have is unbelievable." Arian Foster rushed for two touchdowns and Houston picked off Tannehill three times in a 30-10 victory in 2012 in the most recent meeting. Source: Hosted.Stats.com Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted October 25, 2015 Jadeveon Clowney (ankle) is active for Week 7 against the Dolphins. Clowney missed Week 6, but is back after his one-week absence. Inactive for the Texans are WR Cecil Shorts (hamstring), CB Kareem Jackson (ankle), OLB Kourtnei Brown, ILB Benardrick McKinney, C Greg Mancz, RG Brandon Brooks (toe), and DE Jeoffrey Pagan. Nate Washington (hamstring) is back active. Dolphins declared TE Jake Stoneburner, CB Brice McCain, DT A.J. Francis, G/T Jeff Linkenbach, LB Chris McCain, C Sam Brenner, and WR Matt Hazel inactive for Week 7 against the Texans. Brice McCain is out with a knee injury. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FartWaffles 1,857 Posted October 25, 2015 (edited) I don't know why I even bother rooting for this team... Edited October 25, 2015 by FartWaffles Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted October 26, 2015 Pretty remarkable how certain players have performed in the two games with the new coach. Just look at Lamar Miller and Cameron Wake. Crazy. Can they beat the Pats? If they play like this they have a shot. Not counting on it tho lol. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted October 26, 2015 Ya... Pretty odd how you can switch a coach and all of a sudden these guys who look terrible and not worth roster spots suddenly realize they have talent. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted October 26, 2015 Dan Campbell could beat up every single player on the Dolphins with his eyes closed. No one wants to fuck with him. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025 Posted October 26, 2015 scaring the productiveness out of them Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FartWaffles 1,857 Posted October 26, 2015 Clowney finally registered his first sack. Only took him ten games over the course of a season and a half to do so! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted October 26, 2015 Clowney finally registered his first sack. Only took him ten games over the course of a season and a half to do so! And it't not like that sack was very impactful either. It was 41 - 0 by the time he notched his sack of Tannehill. lol 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted October 27, 2015 Brian Hoyer, king of garbage time compiling. My QB rankings are gonna be a mess for a while now... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
