Chris Perkins: Dolphins and Cowboys, in a way, are similar teams fighting the same narrative

Chris Perkins: Dolphins and Cowboys, in a way, are similar teams fighting the same narrative

Florida’s Miami Gardens — You’ve probably seen the popular meme of Spider-Man pointing and staring at himself.

That is, in a sense, the situation facing the Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins ahead of their

Sunday encounter at Hard Rock Stadium. The records of both teams are 10-4.

The narratives of both clubs are that they are unable of defeating elite teams

(Dallas has defeated one team currently with a winning record,

while Miami has not defeated any such team).

Although both teams detest that storyline, they can each choose to ignore it.

When these teams play each other, this story will take front stage.

The victorious team will happily—and sarcastically

discuss this story after the game.

After declaring that it was unimportant and that they hadn’t given it any thought,

they would promptly toss it in the face of criticism.

It’s true that they paid attention—a lot of attention.

This game will be ruled by narratives.

Because the narratives basically make Miami and Dallas the same team playing the same game,

neither can avoid them.

Both clubs have a strong scoring average (Dallas is No. 2 and Miami is No. 1 in points per game).

Both sides play strong defence;

Miami is fifth in overall defence while Dallas is ranked sixth.

Both Miami and Dallas have excellent quarterbacks in Tua Tagovailoa and Dak Prescott.

Every team has a top-notch wide receiver (CeeDee Lamb for Dallas, Tyreek Hill for Miami).

Oh, and there are real Super Bowl hopes for both clubs. What sticks out,

though, is the myth that both sides are incapable of defeating strong teams.

Coach Mike McDaniel gave his players the order to tell reporters to “f— off” if they ask about that narrative,

the story that this game is vital playoff seeding,

or the story that Miami has a difficult three-game finish.

On Wednesday, I didn’t put those instructions to the test in the locker room.

I wish I had. It’s not that I want to get cursed at by a Dolphins player (which hasn’t happened yet this season).

Players seem to be quite concerned with those storylines,

so I wish I had tested McDaniel’s notion. Before the Kansas City game,

safety DeShon Elliott told me he knew the Dolphins have trouble playing elite teams.

Following the Dolphins’ victory against the New York Jets on Sunday,

cornerback Eli Apple informed me that the team still has games left against Dallas, Baltimore, and Buffalo.

For the Dolphins this season, narratives are king. Tua Tagovailoa,

the quarterback and person I really want to watch play Surly Tua,

brought up an annoying story on Wednesday.

Tagovailoa is conscious of the myth that says he is ineffective without Jaylen Waddle or Hill as his wide receivers.

On Wednesday, he mockingly and sarcastically went off on that story,

claiming he doesn’t pay attention or care about narratives.

However, in the process, he also demonstrated how much he cares about that story by adding,

“I keep receipts.” Prescott probably feels the same way.

Critics hounded him, claiming that his 15 interceptions from the previous season were excessive.

Narratives are important to players.

I can see why McDaniel instructed his players to refrain from making narrative comments this week.

The storylines are often unfavourable.

However, Dallas and Miami won’t disregard them.

The stories for both teams are essentially the same,

and you can bet that the players find these to be extremely bothersome.

The two teams playing on Sunday,

Miami and Dallas, are striving to establish themselves as legitimate regular-season and postseason contenders.

They both dominate mediocre and below-average teams but have had difficulty versus elite ones.

That narrative is detested by both teams,

and one team has been told not to bring it up.

That’s alright. Players know the stories quite well, especially the Dolphins players.

Examine the schedules of every team, followed by the standings.

This week, Miami and Dallas are, in a tiny way, staring in the mirror.

They have both had difficulty against strong squads.

That is the story. Nothing will alter before Sunday.

And Sunday will just deepen that story for one squad.

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