The Miami Dolphins have turned their attention to the Cleveland Browns, but we will have one more day to bask in the complete team win on Sunday against the Oakland Raiders. The Dolphins struggled early and often on special teams, but they hung in there and pulled out the victory. Here are our 3 game balls for the week:

Game Ball #1 – Chad Henne
We are Henne supporters, we won’t deny that. However, this guy played with a brace on his leg and through pain to lead the team to victory. Was he great? No. But he did what he needed to do to win the game. He finished the day going 17/30 for 307 yards, 2 TDs, and an INT. That amounts to a QB rating of 100.27. Henne helped move the chains and helped the Dolphins control the clock, totaling 41+ minutes of possession. Maybe the benching lit a fire under Henne. Maybe he will now take the reigns of the team and prove to everyone that the Dolphins do not need to look for another QB this offseason.

Game Ball #2 – Davone Bess
This was Bess’s homecoming to the Bay Area. Added to the pressure of playing in front of close family and friends, Bess also had to lead the receivers who were without Brandon Marshall. Missing Marshall meant that Bess could be covered by Nnamdi Asomugha, one of the league’s elite corners. He caught 6 balls for 111 yards. Adding to that, he had an electric punt return that set the Dolphins up in Raiders territory.

Game Ball #3 – Yeremiah Bell

While we would love to give a game ball to the entire front 7 for their great work against the ‘vaunted’ Raiders rushing attack, we don’t give out group game balls here.  We will say that they did a great job though   Some were beginning to question if Yeremiah Bell still had what it takes to be a great safety.  He took a step on Sunday to answering his critics.  He tallied 3 tackles, 1 interception, and a fumble recovery.  Not bad for a days work!  If Bell and Chris Clemons can continue to gel in the defensive backfield, this defense will only get better.

I’m writing this on limited sleep, after 2 grueling days, so take it for what it’s worth. I drove about 10 hours in the car yesterday, just in time to make it home for the second half of the Dolphins game. Well, I would’ve rather driven another 10 hours than to watch Tyler Thigpen take another snap from center.

This team is beat up, they have injuries, ALOT of injuries. Other teams have injuries too, but they have enough depth to still put a good team on the field. What happened to the Dolphins last night was an embarrassment. I went back and watched the first half to see why things went wrong. I have been a member of the Tony Sparano fan club, BUT last night his team wasn’t ready. Short week, alot of injuries, I get it. But, you have your 3rd string QB in the game and you hand the ball off 7 times??!?!?!

It’s not like the Bears were up by 3 touchdowns in the first quarter. It was a 6-0 game at halftime. Ronnie -3 carries, Ricky – 3 carries…Not enough Mr. Henning. That’s not enough even if you have Peyton or Tom at QB. How do you control the clock if you can’t run the ball. Look, I know the early runs weren’t working. Well, change it up! Try some runs with fake reverses behind them. Heck, throw in a WildCat or 2! Keep the defense honest. Throw on first down, then run on second.

I’m done venting – I’ll be back tomorrow for a post game recap after I’ve calmed down

Well, it’s a short week, so we want to get you all of the posts you’ve come to expect from PhinNation.com! Last week, every team in the AFC East won. Who can keep the momentum going? Who slips up? We’ll find out soon enough.

New England Patriots (7-2)
The Pats traveled to Pittsburgh and beat the tar out of the Steelers. The final score was no indication of how the game was actually played. The Patriots beat the Steelers from the opening whistle. This week, the Patriots welcome in Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. This is a game that the Pats should win considering how banged up the Colts are. BUT, you never know!

New York Jets (7-2)
The Jets seem to have a knack for getting lucky in 2010. The Browns forced overtime last week and were moving into field goal range when Chancey Stuckey fumbled at the Jets 35 yard line. The Jets ended up winning the game, a game they had no business winning. It’s happened 2 or 3 times this year. But they are 7-2 and are home this week to take on the Houston Texans. The Texans are in desperation mode and must win this game if they hope to make the playoffs. I think this game goes to the Texans.

Miami Dolphins (5-4)
We know they are hurt. We know they are down to their 3rd string QB. But they are above .500 and have a chance to take a BIG step forward in the AFC Playoff race. A win on Thursday and the Dolphins are 6-4 with 10 days to heal up before taking on the Raiders in Oakland. A loss and they will likely need to go 5-1 to finish the year, making the playoffs. A loss doesn’t kill the season, because it’s against a non-AFC opponent.

Buffalo Bills (1-8)
The Bills win, The Bills win! They beat the Lions, so we’ll keep this short. They head to Cincinnati this week to take on the 2-7 Bungles. Talk about your game of the week!

The Dolphins are 2 games out of the AFC East lead and could make up ground on one, if not both of the teams ahead of them this week. A win tomorrow night would be HUGE, especially considering the week they’ve had!

There are many, many game balls that could be awarded this week, following the Dolphins 29-17 victory over the Titans. However, Phin Nation has the tradition to honor 3 deserving Dolphins.

Game Ball #1 – Anthony Fasano
In a game that saw so many starters go down with injuries, Fasano posted a career day. He caught a touchdown and had over 100 yards receiving. In addition, he had a few key catches that helped keep drives alive for the Phins. Yesterday, it has been reported, that he signed a contract extension through 2012. Well done Anthony!

Game Ball #2 – Tyler Thigpen
The guy took ZERO practice reps with the first team and all he did was come in and go 4 of 6 for 63 yards and a TD. He stabalized the game and led the team to a touchdown when they needed it most. Good luck this week, starting quarterback Tyler Thigpen!

Game Ball #3 – Rashad Jones
Jones has seen only limited time so far this year. BUT, with the injury to Chris Clemons on Sunday, Jones came in and made his presence known. He recorded a sack and picked off a Vince Young pass int he end zone. He also had another chance at an interception, but he was out of bounds before he could get 2 feet down. Way to come to play Rashad, keep it up!

What do you guys think? Agree? Disagree?

The Dolphins are the walking wounded….literally! We learned a little bit today about the injuries suffered yesterday and they may not be as bad as expected. Chad Pennington is done for the year and perhaps his career.

Chad Henne was getting treatment and is apparently day to day.

Cameron Wake should be okay as he was sent home with some pain killers and some ice for his hip.

Jake Long has a dislocated shoulder but teammates THINK he’ll play Thirsday night?! I hope so BUT if he’s not himself he shouldn’t play.

The Dolphins have reportedly signed Patrick Ramsey fir QB depth.

Stay tuned folks, this is going to be a whirlwind week!

If I didn’t sit and watch the entire game yesterday, I wouldn’t have believed it.  The Dolphins made the controversial decision to sit their ‘future QB’ for an aging vet that would add a ‘spark’.  Well, the aging veteran, Chad Pennington, didn’t even last a full series.  Reports suggest that Pennington is done for the season.  His career could also be over as well.  So in comes the man who was benched, Chad Henne to save the day.  Henne was good, if not great for the 2.5 quarters he would play.  He threw for almost 250 yards and had 1 touchdown and 1 interception.  Late in the 3rd quarter Henne was hit and injured his knee.  He left the game and was done for the day.

So the Dolphins are leading, albeit by 6 points (23-17) late in the 3rd quarter.  If they insert their emergency QB, Tyler Thigpen, then Henne, nor Pennington could re-enter the game.  And at that time, both were questionable to return.  So, what did the Dolphins do?  They turned to their old friend, Mr. Wildcat.  They ran 2 wildcat plays for big gains and the 3rd quarter expired.  In stepped Mr. Thigpen, who’s first pass looked terrible.  After that initial pass, Thigpen looked like anything but a 3rd string QB.  Thigpen ended the day going 4 of 6 for 64 yards and a TD (a 141 qb rating).  I loved, LOVED, the excitement Thigpen showed following his TD pass to Anthony Fasano.

Overall this is a great win for the Dolphins.  They beat a good Titans team (5-3 going into the game) and they did it while trying to patch together a lineup.  Jake Long (shoulder) and Cameron Wake (hip) were also injured during the game.  The Dolphins should know within the next 12 hours how they are doing and if they will be able to play Thursday night against the Bears.  This could be the worst timed short week EVER.  Thigpen will likely get the start and if Henne is done for the year, the Phins will need to sign not 1, but 2 quarterbacks!  However, if, IF the Dolphins can string together a team and win on Thursday night, they would improve to 6-4 and will have 10 days to heal up.

Great job yesterday by the Dolphins, they truly showed that they were a team!