NFL Notebook, Week 6: Cam Newton’s future, fun 49ers, awards and more

Toilet Bowl I

Let me be clear: This was not the Tank Bowl.

The Dolphins’ front office may be in rebuild mode, but the coaching staff is not throwing games. As for the Redskins, they’re not tanking; they just are a dumpster fire.

This was shockingly a good game for both teams. For Washington, pop the champagne because they finally won a game! For Miami though, it gets a little more complicated. The two teams are both contenders for the first pick in the NFL Draft, so if they are to finish with the same record at the end of the season, the higher draft choice goes to the winner of this game.

Considering the Dolphins still have to play the Jets twice, the Bengals and the Giants, Miami has to rack up all the losses they can get if they want the first pick. Obviously, a loss to Washington is not something to be proud of.

On the other hand, a close loss that featured a comeback and a last-second two-point conversion is a pretty decent alternative. Dolphins’ fans should be happy that they weren’t destroyed by the second-worst team in football and that their winless record stays intact (for now).

Does the first pick guarantee the franchise’s future success? Not at all, as I’m sure Cleveland Browns fans could tell you. Miami is terrible, there’s no getting around it.

However, the Dolphins have one huge thing working for them that should allow its fans to sleep easier at night: Hope.