What happens when a 4-5, run-first, physically dominating, recently surging Dolphins team looks in the mirror?  They see a Carolina Panthers squad staring back.  In a game where the statistics were nearly identical it came down to the

mistake (singular) that made the difference.  Penalties being nearly equal, it was Delhomme’s one interception in the red zone that left Carolina staring up at Miami for the entire second half.  Approaching Thanksgiving it appears that Carolina just removed themselves from the NFC playoff race and Miami put themselves right back into the thick of things in the AFC.

In this critical game a few facts came to the surface:

1) Joey Porter should be pulled out of the starting line-up from time to time.  After being benched versus Tampa Bay, Porter promptly stepped up with seven solo tackles, two sacks, and three quarterback hits; Flashbacks to the Porter of 2008.

2) Chad Henne is a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL.  He is now 5-2 as a starter and we see none of the drop-off we usually see when defenses become privy to a young quarterbacks tendencies (example: Mark Sanchez).  Watch Henne roll out of the pocket towards the sideline and throw the ball just before stepping out of bounds to avoid a 3 yard loss.  Watch Henne throw incompletions on covered out-routes that are far out of reach of lurking corners ready to take one the other way.  Watch Henne put the ball where only Bess, Hartline, and other receivers can catch it.  When Henne has a stable pocket and a throwing lane he rarely misses the mark.  If this guy were playing in New York, Dallas, or Washington people would be hyping him as the next superstar.  Don’t get me wrong, he isn’t throwing for 300 yards and 4 touchdowns, but he is avoiding fumbles, interceptions, and making enough plays to win.

3) Yeremiah Bell, Sean Smith, Vontae Davis, and this young secondary can play.  Do they make mistakes like turning the wrong way or playing too soft in coverage?  Yes, but a majority of the time this secondary forces the opposing quarterback into their check down receiver or an errant throw.  Watch how Davis played Steve Smith tonight (who couldn’t wait to jaw about his touchdown catch) and how Yeremiah chased down DeAngelo Williams, which saved a touchdown and led to an interception a few plays later.

4) The Miami system works.  No Ronnie Brown.  No problem.  First, second, and third string centers injured in the span of a quarter.  Little problem.  Moral to the story is that Sparano and Parcells have an every-man attitude.  If you are signed off the practice squad and make a mistake you’d better believe Sparano is going to be in your earhole.  No excuses means everyone is accountable and what we have seen for the past two years is that a team lacking one legitimate superstar continues to be in every game and, more often than not, find a way to win.

5) Play Miami and you are going to get bruised.  This is not an explosive squad and the coaching staff knows it.  Short routes are going to pick up first downs while you’re getting pummeled by Brown, Cobbs, Williams, Hilliard, or Polite.  That offensive line investment is starting to gain interest.

6) BROADCASTERS LISTEN!!  We understand that it is ironic that a guy named Polite plays the most physical position on the field as a fullback.  How many times do we have to hear, “Lousaka wasn’t being very polite on that play…ha ha ha”??  Please stop!

On that note, how can you not be excited about this team?  Legitimate playoff chances this year.  A young roster.  5-5 has never looked so good.