Dolphins players took drastic action after embarrassing loss, but will it help?

The Miami Dolphins didn't look like they had a lot of resolve during their 33-8 loss in Week 1 to the Indianapolis Colts, but players took a drastic step this week to try to keep a spiral from starting early in the season.

Per Saad Yousuf of The Athletic, the Dolphins had a players-only meeting this week. Linebacker Jordyn Brooks told the media that the players felt the lopsided defeat could easily make the team discouraged

“Just stay locked in,” Brooks said. “Losing the way we did in Week 1, it can be discouraging. Outside noise, people talking, fans talking, family talking, whoever; everybody talking. Just kind of making sure that everybody is together. When you lose like that, it’s easy for people to get discouraged and start questioning maybe yourself, or others." 

The Dolphins have an important rebound game in Week 2 against the 0-1 New England Patriots. Miami needs to win that game to keep the pressure off head coach Mike McDaniel.

The Miami Dolphins have belief after the meeting

Brooks believes it's important for Miami to believe they can win.

"Making sure we’re all locked back in and making sure that the belief is still there," Brooks said. "You lose belief, you don’t have nothing, so making sure that everybody is still on the same page and (we) come back next week stronger.”

The meeting would seem a little premature before a Week 2 game, but the gravity of the Dolphins' loss rightly stung the locker room. The Dolphins have a couple of tough tests coming up after they play New England. The Dolphins will travel to play the Buffalo Bills in Week 3 and then host a New York Jets team in Week 4 that looked dangerous with Justin Fields under center.

After Sunday's loss, the Dolphins' game against the Patriots seems like a must-win, and it's a good sign that the team is taking the task seriously this week.