The Dolphins have finally found an effective tight end in Jonnu Smith, who had 101 yards in the win over the Raiders.

Pressure Point: Jonnu Smith’s 2 touchdowns lead Dolphins to win in tight-end duel

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Tight ends have given the Miami Dolphins fits for years.

Their own as well as their opponents’.

Veteran Jonnu Smith was signed in the offseason to remedy the former problem. Sunday he delivered in a big way with two touchdowns in the Dolphins’ 34-19 win against the Las Vegas Raiders.

His 57-yard TD catch when the Raiders somehow neglected to cover him extended a shaky lead and sealed a must-win for the Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.

At 4-6 and on their first winning streak of the season, the Dolphins kept alive hopes of a long-shot playoff run ahead of a home game next week against the 3-8 Patriots.

Smith was so alone on the decisive play he looked like a center fielder waiting for a fly ball when Tua Tagovailoa’s throw reached him.

“The Red Sea parted” was the way Smith described it to the media after the game. “It’s Sunday, I’m coming with my biblical terms today. It seems like if it was a busted coverage, and Tua, me and him, we just connected, locked eyes and just made the rest happen.”

Dolphins can’t stop rookie TE Brock Bowers

That busted coverage of biblical proportions enabled the Dolphins to claim the advantage in an epic showdown of tight ends despite allowing impressive Raiders rookie Brock Bowers to go off for 126 yards on 13 catches, including a 23-yard touchdown.

The Dolphins have remained inept at defending tight ends this season. But Smith is shoring up what has been a major hole in the offense for years.

His 1-yard TD grab on fourth down on the opening possession gave the Dolphins a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. He finished the day with six receptions for 101 yards.

Smith’s first touchdown of the season on Oct. 24 at Indianapolis ended a 23-game drought for Dolphins tight ends.

He now has 39 receptions this season for 448 yards, an average of 11.5 yards a catch, with three touchdowns.

Notably, Smith has given Miami an important alternate weapon on offense while opponents continue to focus on taking away big-play opportunities for star wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

“He’s making defenses pay for the over attention Tyreek and Waddle get,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said. “He’s adding a real cool element to our offense. We’ve needed every yard he’s had for us this year.”

Dolphins adjust to ball-control attack

The quick-strike Dolphins offense of last season has given way to a patient, take-what-they-give approach. Not as exciting, but effective in back-to-back wins over the Rams and Raiders.

Against the Raiders, the Dolphins had touchdown drives 70, 97, 60 and 70 yards. They had four drives of 10 or more plays. Even the possession that resulted in the first of two field goals lasted 16 plays and consumed almost 8 1/2 minutes.

The Dolphins made a spectator out of Jake Bailey, who wasn’t called on to punt all day.

“I think what’s been different with the quarterback play is now I’m not trying to force things down the field,” Tagovailoa said of his willingness to check down and dump it off to backs and receivers on short routes. “We like our matchups with our guys in space.”

Sustaining long, time-consuming drives can be a difficult formula for success. It worked against the now 2-8 Raiders, who fired their offensive coordinator and O-line coach during the bye week and have lost six in a row.

Dominating time of possession was more effective in containing the Raiders than the Dolphins’ defense, which followed its outstanding effort in the Monday Night win against the Rams with a ragged performance.

Sloppy performance by Dolphins defense

They didn’t make a notable stop until Jalen Ramsey intercepted Gardner Minshew with just over 3 minutes left and victory all but certain.

There was too much shoddy tackling, such as Kader Kohou letting Ameer Abdullah get away for a touchdown that cut the Miami lead to 24-19. Bowers shed tackle attempts all day.

The Raiders were able to convert 8 of 14 third-down plays and twice on fourth down. But Miami converted 8 of 12 third-down chances and both fourth-down attempts.

Fortunately for the Dolphins, they are finding a winning formula now with Tagovailoa three games back from his latest concussion.

They topped 30 points for the first time this season.

“I think we only had about three drives last season that lasted 14 plays,” McDaniel said. “We’ve adjusted to how defenses have adjusted to us.”

Tagovailoa had some key third-down connections with Tyreek Hill, who finished with seven catches for 61 yards, including a touchdown. Tua had three touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 127.8.

Dolphins not giving up playoff aspirations

The Dolphins still face a steep climb from a 2-6 start to a playoff spot. For now, they remain in the conversation with no margin for error.

“I know the stats, the record doesn’t show, but we’re working,” Smith said. “I understand that there’s an expectation that came into this. And to just have that mentality of, listen, let’s look at this thing in the mirror and let’s go attack it. No matter who is with us, who is against us, we know what we’ve got in here and we’re going to keep rolling.”

For the first time in a long while, the Dolphins can look in the mirror and see a legitimate receiving threat at tight end on their side, even if they still can’t stop one on the other side.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

Veteran defensive tackle Calais Campbell led an inspired effort by the Dolphins defense in win over Rams.

Pressure Point: Defense leads Dolphins over Rams on MNF, buoys hope

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For the first time this season the Miami Dolphins punched above their weight —and won.

The gritty 23-15 win against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday Night Football came in the sort of setting where the Dolphins have a habit of losing.

On the road, in prime time, against a savvy, veteran quarterback.

In Miami’s most assertive and concerted effort of the season, the defense held Matthew Stafford and the Rams’ dangerous receiving corps without a touchdown.

Despite an up-and-down performance, Tua Tagovailoa and the offense were able to tack on enough points to avert another fourth-quarter collapse and end a three-game losing streak.

And what did it to for the now 3-6 Dolphins? It enables them to cling to the hope they can somehow rise from the deep hole they’ve dug for themselves and make an unlikely run for the playoffs.

That’s where these wayward Dolphins find themselves, clinging to hope like an iguana on the side of a tree on a steamy South Florida afternoon.

“Hopefully this is an opportunity for us to not waste,” Tagovailoa said. “Hopefully we can go on a run.”

Dolphins at 3-6 cling to hopes for the postseason like an iguana on a tree. (Craig Davis photo)

Dolphins at 3-6 cling to hopes for the postseason like an iguana on a tree. (Craig Davis photo)

Dolphins schedule offers opportunity

Given the way defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver’s unit played and the upcoming schedule, there is actually a foundation to build hope.

Remarkably, the Dolphins find themselves only a game behind in the loss column for the final wild card in the AFC.

They face the 2-7 Raiders and 3-7 Patriots at home with a chance to be 5-6 before a Thanksgiving night date at Green Bay.

Buoyed by Jevon Holland, Zach Sieler and Kader Kohou returning from injuries and inspired by ageless Calais Campbell, Miami defenders harassed and frustrated Stafford all night.

They forced two takeaways, including an interception by linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. off a deflection by Campbell — the veteran defensive tackle leads the NFL with six batted passes this season, including two against the Rams.

They registered six hits on Stafford and sacked him four times. They had seven tackles for loss and held the Rams to 3-of-12 on third-down conversions.

Dolphins defense stymies Stafford

Keeping the Rams out of the end zone in LA is no small accomplishment. They were on a three-game winning streak during which they scored 76 points while Stafford threw for 730 yards and six touchdowns.

For a change it was the opponent making the sort of self-inflicted mistakes that have characterized the Dolphins season.

Notably, a high snap off Stafford’s hands derailed the opening drive of the second half and forced the Rams to try a 52-yard field goal. The kick went through but a false start negated it. Joshua Karty then missed the 57-yard attempt.

That was a pivotal moment as the Dolphins took over near midfield and drove 53 yards for a touchdown to push their lead to 17-6. That was the first traction by the Dolphins offense since they went 70 yards in five plays to open the game.

Tua overcomes his own mistakes

Tagovailoa had too many mistakes of his own. He threw an interception, then risked yet another concussion with a dangerous head-first tackle on the return by Christian Rozeboom.

Hey, Tua, be like Marino: Get the hell out of the way after you throw a pick.

He also lost a fumble and took two inexcusable sacks when he held the ball too long and couldn’t throw it away.

But after the second of those, which put the Dolphins in a third-and-19 hole, he quickly atoned by spinning away from another rush and finding Raheem Mostert for a 25-yard gain. That led to a field goal that pushed the lead to 20-9 with 9:07 remaining.

Instead of caving, as in recent weeks, the Dolphins finished strong with a touchdown and two field goals on their final three possessions.

The running game was ineffective (67 yards on 22 attempts) against a spirited Rams defense led by impressive rookie Jared Verse, the former FSU standout.

One of the best moments by the Dolphins’ offensive line was guard Liam Eichenberg annoying Bobby Brown into headbutting him and selling it to draw a personal foul. That led to one of three field goals by Jason Sanders (two of them from 50 yards).

Calais Campbell inspires Dolphins defense

It was a departure from recent exasperating Dolphins viewing. For a change, it was the other team outdoing them in the stupid stuff department.

Nonetheless, the Dolphins’ lead never felt secure until Duke Riley fell on the Rams’ onside kick with 39 seconds remaining.

So despite all of their shortcomings, the Dolphins can still focus on what lies ahead instead of looking beyond to next year.

Here is the remainder of the schedule against teams that are a combined 30-49: Raiders – 2-7; Patriots – 3-7; at Packers – 6-3; Jets – 3-7; at Texans – 6-4; 49ers – 5-4; at Browns – 2-7; at Jets – 3-7.

“To start a wildfire, all you need is one spark, and that spark happened today,” said Campbell, the veteran defensive tackle who at 38 has been the surprise revelation of this season for Miami.
The former Miami Hurricane is not only a physical marvel but also a wise man.

He knows that where there’s life, there’s hope. Right now he has his teammates believing.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

Mission Impossible: Breaking Down the Dolphins’ Path to the Postseason

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The Miami Dolphins made the decision this week to stand pat during Tuesday’s trade deadline, ultimately opting neither to trade for or away impact players. If one were to listen to the team, however, one thing would be clear: This is a roster and a coaching staff that believes they are still competing for a spot in the playoffs this season. As unrealistic as that may seem to the fanbase-embittered by a 2-6 start, or an outside observer, this is the path they have chosen, and no amount of complaining about said path will change it. The path to the postseason, however, is a slim one, like tightrope suspended in the air between skyscrapers, slim. There are a couple facts that the Dolphins can take solace in, in undertaking this perilous journey, though, like the fact that the AFC is in a very weak position this year featuring a wild card race that contains the Steelers, who are very likely in barring a surprising collapse, but two remaining spots to be fought over featuring the likes of the Broncos, the Chargers, the Bengals, the Colts and the Jets. As well as the fact that the Dolphins have the second easiest strength of schedule remaining with opponents’ combined win percentage reaching a paltry .405. Let’s take a dive into that schedule, shall we? 

 

Week 10 @ Los Angeles Rams: W

The first test for the playoff push will come on Monday night in Los Angeles versus the Rams, a team that is no stranger to overcoming slow starts, as in 2023, they started 3-6 before finishing 7-1 over their remaining eight games and making the postseason at 10-7, and in 2024 are now 4-4, and winners of three straight following a 1-4 start through their first five games. The Rams feature a dynamic offense headed up by a still borderline elite Matthew Stafford at Quarterback and a trio of skill position players that can match the top three of any offense in Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams. For the purpose of this exercise, however, the Dolphins will be given a win. The Dolphins’ offense has been slowly building up over the last couple of weeks to the point that they feel on the verge of an explosion, and facing off with a young Rams defense that is 28th in opponents yards per play so far in 2024, this is a prime spot for it. The defensive side of the ball is where the challenge emerges for the Miami Dolphins, however, as over the last two weeks they have allowed 28 points, and 30 points, respectively to the Arizona Cardinals and the Buffalo Bills. The flip side of this is that reinforcements seem to be on the way in a relative hurry, and with the likes of Kader Kohou, Jevon Holland and Zach Sieler expected to suit up on Monday night in Los Angeles, the defense will be improved just enough to allow the Dolphins to come away with the victory on Monday night. Record: 3-6

 

Week 11 vs. Los Vegas Raiders: W

Now, this is where momentum can really get going for the Dolphins, following a hypothetical win versus the Rams, they get a Raiders team at home that does not have much to play for at this point, on top of that, the return of Bradley Chubb is looming in the background, This could be a soft landing spot to bring him back into the fold. If so, the Dolphins defense could finally start to hit its stride this week to add to a Dolphins offense that would be really rolling at this point. 

Record: 4-6

 

Week 12 vs Patriots: W

In week 12, the Dolphins will face off with the Patriots at home, having already beaten New England on the road during Tagovailoa’s absence. Both of these teams will be much different come week 12, though. As Tua will be behind center for the Dolphins in this one, while Drake Maye has taken the mantle up at Quarterback for the Patriots since their last meeting, to pretty solid success thus far, if we’re being honest. However, this is a Patriots team that is not good, not defensively, not offensively, and with the Dolphins offense starting to hit its stride, as well as a defense that should be jelling with Bradley Chubb back in the lineup, the Dolphins should cruise at home versus the Patriots in this one. 

Record: 5-6

 

Week 13 @ Green Bay Packers: L

Week 13 takes the Dolphins up to Green Bay on Thanksgiving night to do battle with the Green Bay Packers in what is a double whammy of bad omens for the Dolphins, a prime time game that is also likely to be played in less than ideal weather. While I believe that this one can be made close by a Dolphins run game better equipped to succeed in games with poor weather conditions, ultimately,the Dolphins come up short as a defense that has not forced many turnovers over the course of the season are unable to turn over the turnover prone Jordan Love, and so on Thanksgiving night, the Dolphins get sent back to Miami still hungry for a victory. Record: 5-7

 

Week 14 vs. NY Jets: W

In week 14, the Dolphins have their first of two annual matchups with the New York Jets, this one coming in Miami Gardens to take on Aaron Rodgers and company. These are two teams hoping to have similar trajectories at this point, however with the Jets having a (slightly) more difficult schedule leading into this game, the Jets could be coming in with a 4-8 record, largely killing any postseason dreams for Gang Green, and with the mercurial Aaron Rodgers under center for these Jets, the landing gear may be coming off at this point. The Dolphins will need a victory in this one, with Tua continuing his strong play at this point with an offense that has its full arsenal and a line that has been much improved since mid season, as well as a defense that should only improve as they get healthier. Record: 6-7

 

Week 15 @ Houston Texans: W

Now, undoubtedly, this is the most ambitious victory of the Dolphins’ bid to save the season to this point, however, a key point: the Houston Texans play inside of a dome, this is not the Miami Dolphins going to Green Bay or Buffalo in December, this is Miami playing a team on the road in an atmosphere that benefits greatly their offense. While the defense should, and probably will struggle to contain the Texans offense, CJ Stroud has not yet been quite as sharp as he was last season to this point, and at this point I have the Dolphins track team on offense just barely eking out a victory over the Texans in Houston to get themselves back to .500 heading into a pivotal three game stretch likely to determine their playoff fate in 2024. Record: 7-7

 

Week 16 vs. San Francisco 49ers: W

Week 16 sees the San Francisco 49ers fly across the country to Miami in a sequel to 2021’s student-master matchup which saw Kyle Shanhan come up victorious in San Francisco over the Dolphins. The Niners will undoubtedly be a stronger team than they appear now after welcoming back arguably the league’s best offensive weapon in running back Christian McCaffrey and having him back in the fold for a few weeks at this point. The Niners defense, however, is not quite as sharp as the one that stifled the Dolphins offense at Levi Stadium in 2021, and combined with a flight across three time zones, the Dolphins pick up another signature victory to regain full control of their destiny. Record: 8-7

 

Week 17 @ Cleveland Browns: W

Week 17 takes Miami up to Cleveland in a game which will once again test Miami’s ability to compete in cold weather games, however, this time around they will be playing a team in the Cleveland Browns that is likely to be tanking for their next quarterback at this point with Deshaun Watson having suffered a season-ending Achilles injury earlier in the season. The Browns, having sold off Amari Cooper and Za’Darius Smith already this season, are a much lesser roster than the one that entered the 2024 season for Cleveland. While this one may present major trap game potential for Tua Tagovailoa and company, I am placing this one cautiously, but firmly in the ‘W’ column. Record: 9-7

 

Week 18 @ New York Jets: W

The Dolphins closing matchup of the 2024 season sees them head to East Rutherford, New Jersey to face their most hated rival in a potentially make or break matchup with the Jets. This is one that could potentially go either way as it is likely to be a cold weather game versus a team that would love nothing more to play spoiler for the Miami Dolphins, but this is a game in which the Dolphins run game will have to win the day for Miami behind the three headed monster at running back of De’Von Achane, Raheem Mostert, and Jaylen Wright. Defensively, the Dolphins will have to generate pressure against a Jets offensive line that has been susceptible to allowing Aaron Rodgers to be taken to the ground, if the Dolphins wish to complete the comeback, they must go through the Jets. Record: 10-7

 

As unlikely as it may be, if the Dolphins wish to make the postseason, and that is their stated goal, it will take winning eight of their last nine games to leave little doubt. While improbable, the schedule does allow for it if all breaks right for the Miami Dolphins. This is a group that believes, especially now healthier than they have been almost all season, they are better than the 2-6 record they have accrued to this point. This final nine games is where they will have to prove it if they wish to make this anything other than a lost year in a sea of lost years in the last two decades plus.

Tua Tagovailoa had one of his most efficient performances in the loss to Buffalo with a passer rating of 124.9.

Pressure Point: Dolphins cling to shrinking hopes after latest loss to Bills

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The detached view is the Miami Dolphins engaged the Buffalo Bills in just about the most entertaining afternoon of football one could hope to see.

Predictably, the Dolphins strung their fans along Sunday long enough to leave them gutted and heartbroken by yet another brutal defeat in the final seconds for the second week in a row.

Even after the Dolphins rallied for a tying touchdown in the final two minutes the outcome felt inevitable. The question was how would the Bills deliver the knockout punch?

Did anyone have a 61-yard field goal by struggling Bills kicker Tyler Bass on their parlay card?

Bass had not only been a sore spot for weeks, in this game he had missed one extra-point kick and banked another in off an upright.

But his long-range kick was javelin straight and true for a 30-27 Bills victory that was like a dagger to the heart for the Dolphins, who have lost six of eight.

Dolphins fall to 2-12 vs. Bills’ Josh Allen

Nobody could point to the outcome as any sort of surprise. The Bills have simply owned the Dolphins in the Josh Allen era.

The Bills’ quarterback is now 12-2 against Miami. With three touchdown passes Sunday, Allen has thrown 37 against the Fins, while they have intercepted him only eight times in those 14 games.

This one was different, though. Unlike the 13 previous encounters, when the Bills outscored them 443-248, the Dolphins went toe-to-toe with their tormentors all day.

Tua Tagovailoa was superb, completing 25 of 28 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns. They rushed for 149 yards, averaging 4.8 yards on 31 attempts. Overall, Miami had the edge in total yards 373-325 and time of possession.

They just couldn’t stop Allen, who led the Bills to three touchdowns and two field goals on Buffalo’s final five possessions.

Which left Miami buried deep in the AFC playoff pecking order.

Tyreek Hill: ‘We have to win out’

Yet, coach Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins will take heart in their improved play against their biggest nemesis.

Because, well, they still must play nine games in a season that is on life support. And also because they have plenty of company among sub-par teams.

Of the Dolphins’ eight remaining opponents (including the Jets twice), only the Green Bay Packers and Houston Texans currently have records above .500.

“We have to win out from here on out. That’s what it takes. I know all the guys are up for the task,” Dolphins receiver Tyreek Hill said.

Pardon their fans if nobody is running out to wager on an upcoming Dolphins nine-game winning streak. They’ve been watching a Dolphins team this season that has a knack for finding various agonizing ways to lose.

On the final drive Sunday, safety Jordan Poyer, who played seven seasons for the Bills, got called for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Keon Coleman while breaking up a pass on third-and-long. That gave the Bills fresh downs near midfield.

Poyer’s mistake followed a neutral zone infraction on Dolphins rookie pass rusher Chop Robinson, who just a couple plays earlier recorded his first career sack.

With the Dolphins, it’s often one step forward and two steps back.

Another fumble by Mostert costly for Dolphins

Running back Raheem Mostert had his best game of the season with 56 yards rushing on 10 carries and two receptions for 32 yards. But he scuttled a promising drive to open the second half with yet another fumble, his fifth of the season (second lost).

The Bills followed the turnover with a 64-yard touchdown drive to regain the lead.

It was Mostert’s sixth fumble in his past 16 games.

“He’s got to fix that. … We can’t turn the ball over, especially to that team, and expect to win the football game,” McDaniel said.”

The Dolphins have fumbled seven times in the past three games, losing three of them.

Meanwhile, the Dolphins defense has struggled to create takeaways of their own. Cornerback Jalen Ramsey pulled off a timely one with an interception off a bobble by Coleman at the Miami 3 in the first half.

Tagovailoa then led a 93-yard touchdown drive, capped by 14-yard catch and run by De’Von Achane.

According to the CBS announcers, it was the longest touchdown drive by the Dolphins since 2018.

Tagovailoa superb since returning from concussion

Unfortunately, Ramsey’s interception was the only significant stop by the Miami defense, which was missing three starters. The Bills scored on six of their eight possessions.

Tagovailoa has revitalized the Miami offense in the two games since returning from the concussion that knocked him out of the first encounter with the Bills in Miami.

He completed four passes to Tyreek Hill for 80 yards Sunday. His best two throws of the game were to Jaylen Waddle on the Dolphins’ final touchdown drive — a pinpoint sideline pass on third-and-long and then for the tying touchdown while scrambling out of the pocket.

Overall, Tua’s performance was one of the most efficient of his career. He finished with a passer rating of 124.9.

In two games since returning from injured reserve, Tagovailoa has completed 80 percent of his passes for 465 yards, three touchdown, no interceptions and a passer rating of 111.2.

All of which is uplifting for an offense that was moribund in his absence. But is there reason to believe Tua can lead the Dolphins out of a deep hole and into playoff contention with the defense headed in the opposite direction?

“We’re worried about the next opponent. We aren’t worried about playoffs,” Tagovailoa said after the game. “We’re trying to win out.”

The next opponent is the Rams in Los Angeles. Can’t afford to fall to 2-7.

“Our margin for error is zero,” defensive tackle Calais Campbell said.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

Why Beating the The Big Brother Bills is All That Can Save the Miami Dolphins Now

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The Miami Dolphins were unable to overcome themselves in Sunday’s 28-27 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, marking the second consecutive game that Mike McDaniel’s group had lost after leading by double-digits in the second half. There are many glaring points that fans can rightfully point to in throwing the blame around for the loss, arguably none more impactful than the safety on a botched snap between Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Center Aaron Brewer, which directly resulted in eight Cardinals points in the third quarter.

 

The game was one which was supposed to mark the triumphant return of the aforementioned quarterback, who had missed the previous four games, a span in which the Dolphins sputtered to a 1-3 record, due in large part to an offense that was ranked dead last in the league over that period. And so, at 2-5, the Miami Dolphins, a team which had Super Bowl aspirations in the offseason, find themselves on the brink. Fittingly, the team staring at them from the other side, ready to push them into obscurity for the remainder of 2024, and potentially beyond, considering what the ramifications of such a loss may be, is the Buffalo Bills. This is not just any opponent for these Miami Dolphins, these Bills have been the Achilles heel for the McDaniel era Dolphins, as they have absolutely dominated Miami in recent years, in fact, following the Dolphins first matchup with the Bills in the Tua/McDaniel partnership, a 21-19 victory in September of 2022, the Dolphins have lost six straight to their archrivals, with an average margin of defeat of 12.4 points in that span. Fast forward to this week’s game, and that 12.4 points feels as though it pales in comparison to what may happen on Sunday in Buffalo, just as the Dolphins have been spiraling, this is a Bills team that has been firing on all cylinders of late, winners of three straight, the latest of which being an impressive 31-10 drubbing of the Seahawks in Seattle while still incorporating newly acquired star receiver Amari Cooper into the fold. Certainly, overcoming these Bills on the road in a hostile environment is a herculean task for Mike McDaniel and company, armed with a defense that was just ripped to shreds by a Cardinals team that exposed the Dolphins linebackers in pass coverage, a fact that Josh Allen will be sure to exploit with the likes of Dalton Kincaid at his disposal, and an offense that has seemingly struggled to get its feet under itself for the better part of a calendar year now, with struggles going beyond even Tagovailoa’s recent absence.

 

 

Winning, however, is the only option for this group, if they want to remain this group, that is. While coach McDaniel has expressed that owner Stephen Ross is still in his corner at Monday’s press conference, each week that goes by with a loss makes that support look more and more like the dreaded “vote of confidence” we seem to always hear about before a coach’s dismissal, and considering the opponent on Sunday, and the stakes, with falling to 2-6 all but ending the season, makes this game arguably the biggest of McDaniel’s tenure. Lose, and the fate is sealed, as the Dolphins likely spiral to a 4-12 or 5-11 record, dooming all of those involved in the creation and curation of this roster, General Manager Chris Grier, included. IF, the Dolphins pull off the seemingly impossible and win, however, the possibilities of the season open back up. Not only would such a victory bring them to 3-5, which, on the surface seems relatively unimportant in the grand scheme of things, it is what such a win would mean for the team symbolically. To beat this opponent, the team which has been the measuring stick for the rest of the AFC East, and has single handedly owned the Dolphins for the better part of the last three seasons, could be exactly the flashpoint that the team could rally around in turning the tides of their 2024 season, conquering their biggest foe at their most desperate moment.

 

The question then becomes, how, exactly can the Miami Dolphins accomplish such a feat? I have spent quite a bit of time thus far emphasizing just how unlikely of a victory this would be for Miami, and for good reason, it truly can not be overstated, but the games are not played on paper. The short answer is, and this may be disappointing to hear for many fans, but it starts with a similar game plan, albeit not totally the same, that the Dolphins had prior to the wheels falling off in week two versus the Bills. In the first half of week two, the Dolphins had turned the ball over three times (twice via interceptions, once on downs) giving Buffalo a field no shorter than 49 yards on three scoring drives resulting in 17 of their 24 points in the first half. The culprit of these turnovers? Overagression. Each time, these turnovers were a result of the Dolphins attempting to do too much. From Tua Tagovailoa targeting Grant DuBose and Robbie Chosen downfield despite being well-covered, to a decision to go for it on 4th down from Buffalo’s 45 yard-line that had resulted in a sack rather than staying patient and pinning the Bills back deep into their own territory.

 

This is not necessarily to say that the Dolphins would have won if they had simply been more patient, playing a more conservative game, but the scoreboard certainly would not have looked the way that it did heading into the half. The Dolphins had rushed for 101 yards on 20 carries in the first half, with De’Von Achane accounting for 69 of those yards on 14 carries. The passing game, however, was more problematic, and the core of where I think changes can and should be made. Tua Tagovailoa went 13-18 for 94 yards with two costly interceptions. Limiting those turnovers in week 10, will be key, along with using a full stable of rushers. In the previous matchup with the Bills, Miami was limited in the backfield to De’Von Achane, and Jeff Wilson, Jr. as Raheem Mostert missed the game with a chest injury suffered the week prior, and Jaylen Wright having not yet cracked the running back rotation (he still hasn’t fully). This is a Dolphins team now that is even better equipped to run the football, and do so to great effect, as over the last three weeks, the Miami Dolphins have averaged 177 yards per game on the ground on 35 attempts, good for five yards per carry. With a more effective run game, and a healthier stable of backs, Miami should be able to run with decent success in week nine, and they will need to stick with it.

 

The passing game is another story altogether, while more effective versus the Cardinals in week eight than in previous weeks, it was still a far cry from what many had expected of the Dolphins offense with their main signal-caller at the helm as they were only able to muster 234 yards in the passing game, good for just 6.2 yards per attempt. In the midst of writing this piece, I decided to look back at the first game versus the Bills in September (gross, I know) but one of the things that I found, specifically in the passing game, was…interesting. In Mike McDaniel’s offense, in most offenses really, but more specifically in this offense, space is king. The Dolphins first half offensive game plan was clearly to try and get the skill players out in space, this resulted in a flurry of pop passes, screens, throws to the flat and the like. Normally, versus a team who is flooding the middle of the field, like the Bills were, in order to try and take the Dolphins bread and butter concepts away, this would work. The issue in the previous matchup, though, was that it did not. The reason for this has been somewhat cleaned up by the Dolphins in recent weeks, as the perimeter blocking in this game was just atrocious offensively.

 

The more interesting takeaway that I noticed was the success the Dolphins had when doing the inverse, which is, spreading the defense out wide in order to better attack the middle of the field in the passing game. On throws to the outside (I used outside the formation here, rather than outside the numbers, because those throws almost didn’t exist) Tua Tagovailoa was 10-14 for 48 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions (one on a botched throwaway attempt). When throwing over the middle of the field, Tagovailoa was much, much more effective. Excluding the 10 yard pop pass to Tyreek, he completed seven of ten passes for 91 yards, and a pick. When context is added to these numbers, they become much more impressive, as the interception was to Grant DuBose, and while the throw was too aggressive for my liking considering the coverage and the target of the pass, it hit him right on the chest before being popped up into the air and intercepted, and the other two incompletions were on a throw over the middle to Tyreek that is on the money if he is not (arguably) held, and a dropped touchdown pass by Julian Hill. Once again, I stress, this is not me pleading my case that the Dolphins could have, or should have, beaten the Bills in week two, but rather highlighting concepts that could bring success in a do-or-die week 9 matchup for Miami. On the other side of the ball, the Dolphins are coming off of their worst performance by far of the 2024 season for Anthony Weaver’s defense. To their credit, they were down their best defensive lineman in Zach Sieler, a player who the Dolphins will desperately need on Sunday if they wish to contain the Bills’ offense, but the bigger issue versus the Cardinals were the linebackers, specifically. Jordyn Brooks and David Long, Jr. were arguably two of the Dolphins best defenders, stuffing runs, and yes, even covering pass-catchers in the first matchup with Buffalo that saw the defense limit Josh Allen to 139 yards passing and only two (!) yards rushing, these two will have to have a massive bounce back game if Miami hopes to contain these high-flying Bills in week nine.

 

As for Buffalo, this is a different Bills team than the Dolphins previously saw in week two, however, as in recent weeks the Bills have acquired Wide Receiver Amari Cooper from the Browns, and had rookie running back Ray Davis emerge in recent weeks as a legitimate thunder to James Cook’s lightning. The Dolphins secondary will certainly face a more challenging group of skill players this week than they did in round one versus Buffalo, but this is an improved secondary as well, for Miami, as in recent weeks they have seemed to clean up some of the miscommunication issues that had resulted in long touchdowns early in the season. The key, as always, will be to contain Josh Allen, a tough ask for a unit that struggled to do so with Kyler Murray on Sunday, resulting in multiple completions down field on extended plays. No matter how improved the secondary is, or how high of a level Jalen Ramsey is playing at, there is no secondary on the face of the planet that can cover the Bills if Josh Allen is given free reign to extend plays seemingly infinitely as he is known to do, this is where the defensive line will be key on Sunday, the Dolphins must find a way to win on first and second down in order to put the Bills in challenging third and long scenarios, this doesn’t guarantee that Allen can’t or won’t put on his Superman cape, he undoubtedly will, at some point in the game, but the Dolphins must make the degree of difficulty as high as possible. So, what does this all mean for Sunday? Do the Dolphins pull off the improbable in Buffalo? Can Mike McDaniel and the rest of the coaching staff pull a rabbit out of their collective hats?

 

Only time will tell. One thing is certain, however, and that is that for the sake of the season, for the sake of this brain trust, and the sake of this build, the Dolphins make their last stand this Sunday.

 

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Eric Wiedeke (@EricWiedeke) appears on Final Yard and Pulse of Fins Nation and Prize Picks shows on the Five Reasons Sports Network.

Tua Tagovailoa led the Dolphins to their most productive offensive output of the season but it was not enough in a 28-27 loss to the Cardinals.

Pressure Point: Tagovailoa’s strong return not enough to save Dolphins

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Hail, Tua, the returning hero!

That was the initial consensus Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.

Tua Tagovailoa’s first game back from his latest (fourth) concussion brought hope to the Miami Dolphins.

Fans chanted his name when he entered the field twirling a towel. Teammates, listless and directionless in his absence, played with renewed energy.

Which made the 28-27 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on a walk-off field goal all the more soul crushing.

Tagovailoa showed how much he means to the Dolphins. He led the offense to the most points and touchdowns (three) that they’ve scored in a game this season.

Ultimately they couldn’t protect a 10-point lead in the second half on their home field against a sub-.500 (3-4 before Sunday) opponent.

At 2-5 and facing a trip to Buffalo (aka the Land of Foregone Conclusions in recent years for Miami) the season appears headed to the category of so many this century filed under “Lost Causes.”

Tua gets Dolphins’ offense back on track

What was learned Sunday is that no incarnation of Superman can steer this wayward franchise on a winning path.

Tagovailoa played admirably coming off injured reserve. He made some impressive throws, such as the third-and-5 completion to Jaylen Waddle that preceded the touchdown which put Miami ahead 27-18 with 12:22 remaining.

In the third quarter, he had an inspiring scramble on third-and-10 for 13 yards, ending with a safe slide at the Arizona 9, then finished off the drive with a short toss to De’Von Achane for the touchdown.

For the game, Tua completed 28 of 38 for 234 yards. The Dolphins converted 11 of 15 chances on third down.

He certainly made this defeat entertaining and washed away some of the sour taste left by the Thompson, Huntley, Boyle backup QB troika.

But here’s the sobering truth: Even with Tagovailoa performing at a high level, this flawed Dolphins team isn’t good enough against even an average opponent.

Dolphins defense can’t stop Kyler Murray

Also: Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray outplayed Tagovailoa. He danced around the pocket all day, buying time while leaving Dolphins defenders clutching at his shadow before hitting clutch pass after clutch pass.

Dolphins star receivers Tyreek Hill and Waddle were reintroduced as downfield threats after the stand-in quarterbacks couldn’t locate them during Tua’s absence. On Sunday, they combined for 10 catches for 117 yards — no touchdowns, though.

But they were outshone by Cardinals rookie wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (six catches, 111 yards and a touchdown) and tight end Trey McBride (nine catches, 124 yards). By the way, it’s no exaggeration that Dolphins defenses haven’t covered a tight end effectively in years.

Kudos to the Dolphins’ offensive line and fullback Alec Ingold, who paved the way for 150 yards rushing with an average of six yards per carry. Achane had 97 yards on 10 carries.

But in the fourth quarter bullish James Conner gashed the Miami defense on several key runs, including the touchdown that cut the deficit to 27-25.

Tagovailoa should have handled botched snap

The tide began to turn with Miami leading 20-10 when a shotgun snap glanced off Tagovailoa’s hands and through the end zone (with Tua’s help) for a safety. The snap from center Aaron Brewer was high, but not that high.

After the game, coach Mike McDaniel said that Brewer “would say he should have taken a little steam off it. Tua says he should have caught it.”

Following the safety, the Cardinals put together drives of 75, 73, and 73 yards for 17 points on their final three possessions. It started with Harrison leading Dolphins star cornerback Jalen Ramsey by a step on a long crossing route and making a spectacular sideline catch for a touchdown.

Tua did lead an answering touchdown drive. But with a chance to put the game away, the Dolphins were were forced to punt near midfield with five minutes remaining. They never got the ball back.

Oddly, McDaniel gave the final carry to Raheem Mostert, who was ineffective except for two short touchdown runs.

The lack of use of rookie Jaylen Wright continues to perplex. He got a measly two carries Sunday and ran for 18 yards.

Dolphins’ season faces critical juncture

Just as time ran out on this game, it feels like the season is slipping away even before reaching the midway point.

The next two weeks they must travel to face the Bills and LA Rams. But Tagovailoa has restored competence at quarterback, as well as confidence.

“There’s always time, brother. Seventeen games is a lot,” Tagovailoa said at his postgame presser. “Whether we’re counted out or not, we’re going to continue playing. … I don’t know how many years ago we started out 1-7, we didn’t have half of the guys we have … we didn’t have half of that talent however many years ago. … We won seven in a row. Not going to say we’re going to do that, but anything is possible.”

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

Alec Ingold had one of two fumbles that killed the Miami Dolphins' chances in loss to the Colts.

Pressure Point: Dolphins’ situation grim despite Tagovailoa nearing return

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If you are the Miami Dolphins, the lone hope to cling to in this rapidly sinking season is that Tua Tagovailoa can return next week from concussion purgatory and miraculously right the wayward ship.

It’s a flimsy hope. It’s a sucker bet that I’m certainly not taking.

Nor would anyone who has watched the absolute dreck served these past six games by the misguided Mike McDaniel & Chris Grier comedy troupe.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get worse, the Dolphins totally turtled in the second half Sunday and lost 16-10 at Indianapolis after leading by 10 against a mediocre Colts team that is trying to break in a young quarterback.

At this point I have no illusions about Tagovailoa somehow saving the season, which stands at 2-4. Just that he can provide relief from having to endure any more of the Huntley-Thompson-Boyle boondoggle we’ve been subjected to in his absence.

Huntley hurt, Boyle no better

On Sunday, Tyler Huntley (shoulder) joined Tagovailoa and Skylar Thompson as Dolphins quarterbacks knocked out of a game by injury already this season. It was left to Tim Boyle, a journeyman whose career has never gone very far, to finish another day of inept Dolphins offense.

Miami’s possessions in the second half, which began with a 10-3 lead, ended with three punts, two fumbles, a missed field goal and turnover on downs.

Tagovailoa is expected to begin practicing this week, and if two doctors sign off on his progress into the final stage of concussion protocol it is conceivable he could start next week at home against Arizona.

That would be a welcome development for star receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who have been missing persons in the offense during his four-game absence.

Against the Colts, the duo was targeted a combined four times and had two receptions for 19 yards.

Raheem Mostert's fumble was the turning point in the Dolphins' loss to the Colts.

Raheem Mostert’s fumble was the turning point in the Dolphins’ loss to the Colts.

Mistakes doom Dolphins again

The bigger issue is whether it is even wise to bring Tagovailoa back from his fourth documented concussion at the earliest opportunity.

Most likely, if he is cleared and shows he’s ready to play, he’ll play. But that doesn’t answer whether it is wise.

This is a mistake-prone team that has trouble lining up onside. Steps forward are frequently undone by self-sabotage.

Brutal fumbles by Raheem Mostert and Alec Ingold on Sunday both came at the end of positive gains. They had six more penalties Sunday for 50 yards — twice the yardage assessed against the Colts.

The inability to convert on third-and-1 has become a given. It contributed to this loss when Ingold got stuffed (the line got no push) at the Indy 36 with 6:03 remaining. On fourth down, Jason Sanders clanked a would-be tying 54-yard field goal attempt off the left upright, and the Dolphins didn’t threaten again.

Offseason decisions haunt Dolphins

Missed tackles are the main shortcomings of a defense that overall has been adequate. But when you have a quarterback or running back stopped in the backfield, you have to get them down. Opponents are able to do that against the Dolphins.

Chop Robinson, Miami’s No. 1 pick in this year’s draft, was one of culprits Sunday, letting a tackle for loss slip from his hands and turn into a first-down gain.

Not writing off Robinson, but the return so far from the Dolphins’ top picks in the past three drafts has been zilch, including DB Cam Smith (second round, 2023) and LB Channing Tindall (third round, 2022).

Meanwhile the most impressive member of this year’s draft class, running back Jaylen Wright, gets minimal use.

The Dolphins came out of the offseason with a roster that was a downgrade from what got them to the playoffs (and no further) last season. They added veteran receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who has yet to contribute. But didn’t consider it necessary to add an experienced backup quarterback despite Tagovailoa’s injury history.

There were veteran options who likely could have led them to at least two wins in these past three games against Tennessee, New England and Indianapolis — teams that are a combined 4-13 against opponents other than the Dolphins.

Injuries add to Dolphins’ woes

That at least would have them treading water at .500 with Tua eligible to return. Instead they only managed to squeak by a Patriots team in the early stages of rebuilding.

What does that say about a Dolphins team that was supposed to be building on back-to-back playoff appearances? That playoff success in the near future appears as a pipe dream.

Last season unraveled with an ill-fated Monday night loss to the Titans and injuries down the stretch.

Injuries have begun piling up again. Huntley and returner Braxton Berrios (knee) were added to the list Sunday.

Maybe Tua is back for the next game, but where does he take a team that can’t get out of its own way?

Looking ahead, there is little foundation to cement optimism for a season that has seemed cursed since Hill’s run-in with the police on the way to the season opener.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

Pressure Point: Dolphins avert disaster with sloppy win against Patriots; problems persist

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The Miami Dolphins were doing more than playing an early season game against a division rival Sunday.

They were playing to prevent their season from going bye bye before their bye week.

They accomplished that, at least, with Sunday’s 15-10 win on the road over the rebuilding Patriots.

Barely.

It wasn’t impressive or convincing. Most of it was difficult to watch, cringe worthy and exasperating.

But at the end of the day, a Dolphins team that didn’t claim its first in-game lead until the first quarter of this fifth game of the season, found itself tied for second place in the AFC East with the Jets at 2-3. A last-second loss brought the Bills within reach of the pack at 3-2.

Such is the parody — sorry, parity — of the NFL.

It was hardly a confidence-builder for a beleaguered Dolphins fan base. This was as winnable a game as you can find on the schedule, and the Dolphins came within a heel of botching a win that was repeatedly gift-wrapped for them.

Replay reversal saves Dolphins

It took a replay reversal that determined Patriots receiver Ja’Lynn Polk got only the toe but not the heel of his second foot in bounds to negate what was initially ruled a 12-yard touchdown reception. That would have given New England the lead with just over a minute remaining.

As expected, the Patriots are not a good team in the first year After Belichick. Their quarterback is former Dolphins backup Jacoby Brissett, a serviceable veteran stopgap but no one’s choice to lead a team anywhere meaningful.

Despite the victory, it was another confounding performance for a Dolphins team coming off playoff appearances in back-to-back seasons.

The offense continues to sabotage itself with pre-snap motion penalties and holding infractions — yet another holding call on tight end Julian Hill, who got flagged four times in the previous game.

Miami ended up with six assessed penalties for 54 yards. Fortunately for the Fins, the Patriots more than returned the favor with 12 penalties for 105 yards.

As Mark Sanchez observed on the Fox broadcast about a matched pair of undisciplined teams, “They take a step forward and two steps back.”

Personnel decisions hamper Dolphins

Entering its third season under coach Mike McDaniel, this supposedly was a team built to finally advance in the playoffs for the first time in a couple of decades. That was the reason McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa were given contract extensions, or so we were led to believe.

Instead, they have been stumbling all over themselves for five weeks. Tagovailoa’s absence due to yet another concussion only partially explains the problems of an offense that has scored but five touchdowns in five games. McDaniel’s once-potent and often-praised system was spinning its wheels even before Tua was injured in the second half of the second game.

The quarterback’s latest setback underscores questions about offseason decisions by general manager Chris Grier and the front office.

No. 1 on that list is that despite Tua’s history of injury absences, specifically concussions, how could they not invest in an experienced veteran as a backup instead of counting on Skylar Thompson, who showed little when called on during his first two seasons? Thompson was ineffective in his lone start this season before being injured.

Another offseason failing that gnaws at Dolphins fans was not prioritizing retaining linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel, who had his second pick-6 of the season for the Vikings, this time taking an Aaron Rodgers pass back 63 yards Sunday in London.

Grier scoffed at criticism of the offensive line, which has shown to be a trouble spot. Oft-injured left tackle Terron Armstead has been in and out of the lineup. Guard Liam Eichenberg was beaten for a sack and had two penalties Sunday.

Special teams have been a travesty. In the first half Sunday: Jake Bailey had a punt blocked. Jason Sanders clanked a 41-yard field goal attempt off the left upright. Sanders later nailed a 46-yard attempt but it was negated by a motion penalty. On the retry, Blake Ferguson bounced the snap.

Sanders did convert from 54, 32 and 47 yards to keep the Dolphins in the game while they continued to waste chances to get the ball into the end zone.

No receptions for Beckham in Dolphins debut

The first appearance of veteran receiver Odell Beckham Jr. for Miami brought no immediate benefit: two targets, zero receptions. The first pass thrown to him was intercepted, leading to a short touchdown drive that gave New England a 7-3 lead at the half.

By intermission, it took restraint to not throw something at the TV or turn it off.

As former Patriot Rob Gronkowski put it on the Fox halftime show: “Not gonna lie, this is a tough football game to watch.”

The second half did produce drama. And there were some positives for the Dolphins.

They got the running game going for the first time all season. Notably, McDaniel had the sense to stick with it.

Alec Ingold scores what proved to be the winning touchdown for the Dolphins against the Patriots.

Alec Ingold scores what proved to be the winning touchdown for the Dolphins against the Patriots.

The return of running back Raheem Mostert made a big difference, with 19 carries for 80 yards. After De’Von Achane left with a concussion in the first half, rookie Jaylen Wright looked like the Achane of last season while averaging 6.6 yards a carry (13 for 86 yards).

The Dolphins put together their lone touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, aided by a pass interference call on New England’s Christian Elliss. They used seven consecutive runs to cover the final 52 yards.

Fullback Alec Ingold was the hero of the drive, opening seams for Mostert and Wright, then going the final three yards on a dive up the middle.

It was the first time all season that a touchdown gave the Dolphins a lead.

QB Huntley’s second Dolphins start marginally better

The past three games have shattered the assertion that any quarterback can thrive in McDaniel’s offense.

South Florida native Snoop Huntley’s second start for Miami was somewhat better than his first. He finished 18 for 31 for 194 yards, one interception and a meh passer rating of 63.1.

Granted, he’s only in his third week with a complex offense. But he takes too long to identify a receiver and get the ball out. His accuracy is below par.

Huntley will have two weeks to progress before what could be his final start before Tagovailoa returns. There is no certainty, though, that Tua will be cleared to return when eligible for the Dolphins’ Oct. 27 home game against the Cardinals.

The bye week is timely for the Dolphins. McDaniel has a lot to do to get this team back on track for any semblance of a successful season. Beating the 1-4 Patriots was merely a reprieve.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

Dolphins backup quarterback was sacked five times before leaving with an injury against the Seahawks.

Pressure Point: Inept Miami Dolphins reach new low under Mike McDaniel

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Having to play without starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is the least of the Miami Dolphins’ problems.

Now they are also without backup Skylar Thompson as a Miami quarterback exited with an injury in the third quarter for the second week in a row.

But Dolphins deficiencies run much deeper. Three games into a season already off the rails, this is a team without a clue.

Being routed 24-3 by the Seahawks at Seattle was merely a continuation of what has been evident in each game so far.

They trailed by double-digits in all three games. They haven’t held a lead at any point except when Jason Sanders kicked the winning field goal on the final play of the season opener against Jacksonville.

In the two games since then they were buried early, essentially sunk by intermission.

They have been outscored 58-20 in the first half, indicative of a team ill-prepared, disorganized and undisciplined.

McDaniel’s offense sputters again

They trailed 17-3 at halftime Sunday, lost Thompson with a chest injury early in the third quarter and finished a thoroughly inept performance with Tim Boyle at QB in his first Dolphins appearance.

From coaching to execution it was a complete travesty of football.

There have been so many low points with this franchise this century it is difficult to rank them. But this is right down there.

The Mike McDaniel era would appear to be on the ropes in his third season. But wait, the coach was just given a three-year extension through 2028.

The bloom is clearly off McDaniel’s highfalutin offense, which is fooling no one and going nowhere fast.

They have scored 33 points in three games.

The strategy is often befuddling, to say the least. They had the running game going early with De’Von Achane and rookie Jaylen Wright averaging 4.8 yards a carry but quickly abandoned their legs in favor of Thompson’s arm – a losing prop bet by any assessment.

They ran eight times in the first half and threw 16 times, amassing a grand total of 87 yards in the first 30 minutes.

Achane has been Miami’s most productive force on offense. But his efforts are too often negated by penalties. Tight end Julian Hill got called for holding and illegal motion in the first half Sunday. Another hold by Hill wiped out a sizable gain by Achane in the second half.

Miami’s special teams nothing special

The Dolphins can’t even figure out how to line up for kickoffs and punts. They had four penalties on special teams in the first half alone. That included an unnecessary roughness penalty on a punt they downed at the Seattle 4.

In one stretch of four plays in the second quarter they were flagged for a false start, illegal formation twice and unnecessary roughness.

They finished with 11 penalties for 85 yards. It should be noted that the Seahawks were also penalized 11 times in what apparently was Yellow Flag Day in Seattle.

The past two games the Dolphins haven’t been able to get the ball downfield to star receivers Tyreek Hill and Kaylen Waddle. Hill finished with three catches for 40 yards Sunday, Waddle caught four for 26.

So much for the magic of speed.

Dolphins should reclaim QB Mike White

As for Thompson, he appears to have progressed not at all despite being in his third season in this offense.

The Dolphins’ best moment came on an interception by Kader Kohou off a deflection that gave them a first down at the Seattle 6. They settled for a field goal, which would be their only points of the day.

Thompson got flattened on the final play of the half, oblivious to Derick Hall bearing down on him from behind. The first possession of the second half ended with a sack by Tyrel Dotson.

Thompson exited early soon after on a hit by Dre’Mont Jones after releasing a pass. He remained on the ground for several minutes before making the slow walk to the locker room like Tagovailoa did in the previous loss to Buffalo.

The Dolphins would be wise to reclaim their 2023 backup quarterback Mike White, who is on the Bills’ practice squad. He could step right in and run the offense and certainly wouldn’t be worse than we’ve seen from Thompson and Boyle.

But so much is wrong with the Miami offense right now it is difficult to see a quick fix. The line allowed six sacks Sunday, and left tackle Terron Armstead left again with an injury.

The Dolphins finished the day with 205 total yards. They were 1-for-12 on third down, 0-for-3 on fourth down and 0-for-2 in the red zone. They averaged a meager 3.7 yards per play.

The defense did come up with two takeaways. But the secondary let DK Metcalf run free for a 71-yard touchdown that broke the game open.

With so much gone wrong, it is going to be a tough climb just to become competitive.

Craig Davis has covered South Florida sports and teams, including the Dolphins, for four decades. Follow him on the site formerly known as Twitter @CraigDavisRuns.

How Will Dolphins Respond? 5 Keys for Miami in Seattle

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As the Miami Dolphins prepare to face the Seattle Seahawks, they do so in the wake of a brutal home loss to Buffalo—a game where nearly everything that could go wrong, did. With starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa now on injured reserve, the Dolphins find themselves at a crossroads. Here are five ways Miami can mitigate Tua’s absence and gain an edge against Seattle.

 

  1. Skylar Thompson’s Command

The Dolphins’ offense boasts star receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, but it will be Skylar Thompson throwing them the ball. While Thompson has shown promise, Sunday’s matchup against Seattle will be a true test of his mettle. He must lean on Hill, Waddle, and speedster  De’Von Achane to exploit Miami’s offensive strengths and keep the momentum alive. A lackluster performance from Thompson simply won’t cut it for a team that enters the game as underdogs.

 

  1. Jalen Ramsey vs. DK Metcalf

Last week, DK Metcalf showcased his explosive talent, torching the Patriots’ secondary. This week, he poses yet another formidable challenge for Jalen Ramsey, who will need to bring his A-game. Fortunately for Miami, Ramsey has a solid track record against Metcalf. With the Dolphins’ secondary still searching for its first interception of the season, forcing a turnover against Geno Smith could be pivotal.

 

  1. Pressuring the Quarterback

Last week’s keys to victory emphasized the importance of making Josh Allen uncomfortable. Unfortunately, the Dolphins failed to do so, allowing him too much time in the pocket to escape and do what he does best. With a backup quarterback at the helm and dwindling confidence in the offense, the spotlight now shifts to Miami’s defense, particularly the pass rush. Against Seattle, getting to the quarterback is essential for regaining control of the game.

 

Coach Mike McDaniel gets the game ball after winning his first game as Dolphins coach.

 

  1. Mike McDaniel’s Playcalling

Is Mike McDaniel the offensive genius his peers claim him to be? This week will certainly test that theory as he navigates the challenges of having Thompson under center. McDaniel must be creative and strategic, tailoring his game plan to exploit Miami’s strengths while compensating for the loss of Tua. His ability to adapt will be a telling reflection of his growth as a head coach and the lessons he’s learned along the way.

 

  1. Limiting Turnovers

Last week, Tua’s three turnovers—including a pick-six—proved costly. While some of those mistakes were beyond his control, this week, Miami must prioritize ball security. The Dolphins can’t afford to give away possession, especially in a matchup where every point counts.

As the Dolphins travel to Seattle, they face a number of challenges. However, with the right adjustments, there remains an opportunity to make a statement. It will be important to see how they respond.

 

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