Unlike Thanksgiving leftovers, the Miami Dolphins’ 30-17 drubbing at Green Bay is as tough to swallow the day after as it was Thursday night before a national audience.
Because it was so predictable. And oh, so, familiar.
The longstanding narrative that the Dolphins can’t win in cold weather was reinforced. But it’s not so much about the temperature as it is about the time of year.
The Dolphins have been failing miserably under similar circumstances for years: in impactful games against top teams, on the road, late in the season, when typically it is cold.
Tua Tagovailoa hasn’t been able to shake the stigma of lack of big-game success. But even with the best quarterback they’ve ever had, the Dolphins couldn’t win these type of games.
Dan Marino was 8-17 against Jim Kelly and the Bills, including 0-3 in playoffs.
You’d think a serious football franchise would rise to the occasion, occasionally. But this high-stakes ineptitude has literally spanned decades, before the uniforms they wore Thursday night were considered throwbacks.
Dolphins manhandled by Packers
And it’s not always about being on the road in the cold. They lost the 2023 regular-season finale at home in ideal weather to the Bills with the AFC East title on the line. That earned them a trip to freezing Kansas City and another non-competitive first-round exit from the playoffs.
Sure, it was a tough assignment Thursday at frigid Lambeau Field off a short week. And it didn’t help that the first time the Dolphins got their hands on the ball they dropped it — muffed punt by Malik Washington that gifted the first touchdown a few plays later.
But this game was lost at the point of attack. The Packers simply mauled Miami.
The Dolphins couldn’t block and they couldn’t tackle. That will leave you on the wrong end of 30-17 every time.
The running game went nowhere — a mere 39 yards, average of 2.8 yards per carry — which has been a problem even in recent wins at home against bottom-feeding Raiders and Patriots. The backs had trouble just getting to the line of scrimmage.
Meanwhile, Dolphins defenders were getting carried by Packers running backs and receivers like sacks of mail, if they didn’t whiff on tackle attempts altogether.
The Dolphins had an ungodly 20 missed tackles. Twenty! That is unacceptable at any level of football.
Not sure how you blame that on the cold.
Nor the five sacks allowed, including on fourth-and-goal at the Green Bay 1 in the fourth quarter. They were also flagged for holding on that play, so it was doomed either way.
The Dolphins, playing to maintain slim playoff chances, showed no desperation or resolve. Their heads weren’t in the game either, evidenced by 10 penalties assessed for 75 yards.
The so-called second-half comeback bid was a mirage, the padded stat totals meaningless. Teams like the Dolphins don’t come back from 24-3 at halftime after being manhandled and embarrassed for 30 minutes on national TV by a top-tier opponent.
Likewise, spare us the flimsy mathematical possibilities that the 5-7 Dolphins could still make the playoffs if they win their final five games … and a cow jumps over the moon.
That would require winning two cold-weather games, albeit against the middling Jets and Browns. They also must play at Houston against the AFC South-leading Texans.
Here’s a glaring stat: the Dolphins are 0-4 this season against teams currently in playoff position and have been outscored by 58 points in those games.
That is a lot of 30-17 results, or thereabouts. But it’s nothing new. Last season the Dolphins were 1-6 against teams that went to the playoffs.
The Mike McDaniel era is simply continuing the serial incompetence that has spanned coaching staffs, front-office regimes and ownership since the last century.
There was hope that the team profile would change when Bill Parcells was brought in to run the football operation after the 1-15 2007 season. Instead, Parcells gave us Tony Sparano, who was best known for punting and kicking field goals.
What they needed was Tony Soprano. Less of mister nice guy and more of a strong-armed approach.
That hasn’t changed. The final word on the latest frigid fiasco was linebacker Jordyn Brooks saying late Thursday, “I thought we were soft. Simple as that, I thought we were soft today. I don’t know if guys were too cold. … I don’t know what it was. I feel like the elements played a part in how we played as a group, and that was the result that we got.”
It is a result Dolfans know all too well. With no reason to expect improvement any time soon.
This franchise misses on too many draft picks, then has to overspend on free agents to try to make up for it. That keeps them tight on the salary cap and unable to invest in the depth of talent needed to succeed.
What you get is a 30-17 comeuppance, time and again.
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.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/mcdaniel-green-bay.jpg8301000Craig Davishttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgCraig Davis2024-11-29 15:19:002024-11-29 15:19:00Pressure Point: Dolphins’ latest debacle more about incompetence than cold weather
The Miami Dolphins showcased a complete team effort Sunday, dismantling the New England Patriots 34-15 in front of a roaring home crowd. Here’s a closer look at the standout performances and pivotal moments that defined the game.
Tagovailoa’s Commanding Presence
Tua Tagovailoa was in full control, mixing precision passing with smart decisions. His ability to spread the ball to multiple targets kept the Patriots’ defense on its heels all game. From pinpoint throws to De’Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle to managing the tempo, Tagovailoa reminded everyone why he’s the heart of this offense. His stat line—29 completions on 40 attempts for 317 yards and 4 touchdowns—speaks volumes about his leadership under center.
Achane Shines as a Versatile Threat
The Dolphins’ ground game wasn’t anything to write home about, but De’Von Achane proved his value as a dual-threat weapon. His first touchdown catch was a highlight-worthy moment, showcasing agility and field vision. Later, he exploited a coverage breakdown to secure his second score.
Jaylen Waddle: A Season-Defining Performance
Jaylen Waddle put together his most electric outing of the season, slicing through New England’s secondary with ease. His ability to gain separation and turn short passes into big gains echoed the explosiveness Miami fans grew accustomed to last year. Tight end Jonnu Smith added to the offensive fireworks, bulldozing through defenders for a gritty touchdown.
Offensive Line Holds Strong
Miami’s offensive line gave Tagovailoa the clean pocket he needed to excel. While run blocking remains inconsistent, the protection in passing situations was stellar. With time to operate, Tagovailoa made the Patriots pay.
Defensive Line Dictates the Game
Miami’s defensive front took control early, forcing the Patriots to play catch-up. Zach Sieler led the charge, nearly recovering a fumble before redeeming himself with a strip-sack that set up a key scoring drive. The dominance up front ensured New England could never find its rhythm.
Linebackers Bring the Heat
Rookie Chop Robinson continues to impress, recording another sack and providing consistent pressure. Anthony Walker and Jordyn Brooks were all over the field, combining for key tackles and a fumble recovery. Even with Walker leaving the game due to injury, his replacement, Tyrel Dodson, stepped up with a highlight-reel interception late in the fourth quarter.
Secondary Silences New England
The Patriots’ passing attack was virtually nonexistent, thanks to Miami’s disciplined secondary. Jalen Ramsey added a sack to his résumé, while Storm Duck filled in admirably for Kendall Fuller. The Dolphins’ defensive backs made a quiet day feel like a masterclass in suffocating coverage.
Coaching Brilliance
Head coach Mike McDaniel orchestrated a balanced attack, blending explosive plays with methodical drives. He reintroduced the deep ball, reigniting the offense’s identity while keeping the Patriots guessing. On defense, Anthony Weaver’s unit looked prepared for every wrinkle New England threw their way.
A Team Hitting Its Stride
This was more than just another win for Miami; it was a statement. With three straight victories and the offense firing on all cylinders, the Dolphins are building momentum heading into a pivotal Thanksgiving showdown in Green Bay. For a team that has been criticized for its struggles in cold-weather games, Thursday offers the perfect chance to flip the narrative.
The Dolphins left Hard Rock Stadium looking like contenders. Now, they’ll need to prove it on a chilly night in Wisconsin.
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https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/IMG_9027.jpg490640Jacob Meshelhttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgJacob Meshel2024-11-25 16:40:542024-11-25 16:40:54Dolphins Dominate New England: Key Takeaways from the 34-15 Victory
It was Feel Good Sunday for the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium.
Perfect weather and a near-perfect performance (for three quarters) by the home team in a thorough pasting of the Patriots, their long-time nemesis.
The giddy 34-15 romp even had team owner Steve Ross doing the celebratory Waddle waddle after Tua Tagovailoa threw his fourth touchdown pass of the game in the third quarter to Jaylen Waddle.
Most important, the Dolphins’ third consecutive win put Miami, now 5-6, one spot out of the final wild card in the AFC — 7-5 Denver holds it.
Enjoy the moment, Dolfans, like a second helping of Thanksgiving turkey. But beware of the tryptophan.
The Dolphins can’t afford to snooze Thursday night in a holiday prime-time matchup with the Packers in Green Bay.
Beating up on the weakling Raiders and Patriots back-to-back at home in the sunshine was entertaining and necessary to dig out of a deep early season hole.
The telling test will be how a Dolphins team that has gained some momentum can meet the bigger challenges of the stretch run.
Or as the CBS announcers put it: “You’ve got to win the big-boy games.”
There will be two of those on the road in the next three weeks, at Green Bay and Dec. 15 at AFC South-leading Houston, sandwiched around a home game against the struggling Jets.
Miami then hosts the San Francisco 49ers, who remain in the big-boy category despite struggles of their own.
This is the point that so many Dolphins seasons have gone off the rails. Look no further than last season when they led the Buffalo Bills by three games in the AFC East with five to play and coughed it all up.
The downfall began with blowing a two-touchdown lead in the final three minutes against the Titans in a Monday night collapse. Season-ending losses to the Ravens and Bills pushed the Dolphins from hosting a playoff game to having to play the Chiefs in frigid Kansas City. The result was a predictable one-sided loss to extend the drought without a playoff win since the 2000 season.
“I think we’re heading in the right direction,” said Waddle. “We’ve got big games coming up the end of the year, so it’s important that we start playing our best ball heading into this last stretch of the season.”
Waddle played his best game of the season Sunday with eight receptions for 144 yards and the 29-yard touchdown from Tua.
The offense has been increasingly efficient in Tagovailoa’s four games since returning from his latest concussion. In improving to 7-0 in his career against the Patriots, he completed 29 of 40 for 317 yards and a rating of 128.9.
He again made good use of tight end Jonnu Smith, who had nine catches for 87 yards and the first touchdown of the day. De’Von Achane caught the other two TDs on screens out of the backfield. Tyreek Hill had five receptions for 48 yards.
“The guys are feeling good,” Tagovailoa said. “Everything feels better when you win.”
In the past two games, Tua has thrown for 605 yards, seven touchdowns, no interceptions and a 128.5 passer rating.
Again, that is against two of the downtrodden teams in the league.
But as Tagovailoa pointed out, “Getting into rhythm of stacking wins up, I definitely think that is a big morale booster.”
The continued struggles to run the ball is concerning, though. They rushed for only 65 yards while averaging a mere 2.7 a carry against the Patriots.
Throwing likely will be more difficult at Lambeau Field, where the forecast for Thursday night calls for temperatures dropped to near 20 degrees. Little chance of snow, though, with winds moderate.
Could be worse. But there is a 100-percent chance of a hostile atmosphere. It is certain to be plenty loud.
“We’re still below the .500 threshold and it’s a long way to where we want to get to,” Tagovailoa said. “But this next one is going to be big for us and we’re excited to go to Green Bay and show everybody in prime time what we can do.”
They will be coming off another strong showing by the defense. Rookie Chop Robinson is becoming a force on the pass rush. He had 1 ½ sacks and three hits on quarterback Drake Maye.
The Dolphins sacked Maye four times, including a strip-sack by Zach Sieler that was recovered by Jordyn Brooks to set up Miami’s final touchdown.
The defense suffered a blow when linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. left with a hamstring injury in the first half. But newly acquired veteran Tyrel Dodson not only filled the void, he had a one-handed interception.
Could it be that these Dolphins actually flip the script recent history and finish stronger than they started?
Insight on that question should come in about four days. Miami, trailing Denver by two games in the wild-card chase, can’t afford to fall farther behind.
“The Packers aren’t going to care about our three-game win streak. The Packers are going to try to make us seem like a team that can’t win in the cold and can’t beat a good team,” Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said.
That is an apt statement of the Dolphins’ profile for close to a quarter-century.
It is valid until they prove otherwise.
McDaniel went on to say, “Like life, it’s not about avoiding adversity. It’s about flourishing in it. You really can’t hide. You find out who believes in what we’re doing and who believes in each other.”
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.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/tua-4-touchdowns.jpg15002000Craig Davishttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgCraig Davis2024-11-24 18:49:512024-11-24 21:58:58Pressure Point: Dolphins back in playoff race, must now win ‘big-boy games’
The Miami Dolphins won their second game in a row in week 11, beating the Los Vegas Raiders at home in convincing fashion, 34-19. The Dolphins now sit at a 4-6 record with a seemingly manageable schedule the rest of the way, despite a more competitive than expected wild card race. As the Dolphins do attempt to gear up for this upcoming stretch run, they’ll need depth pieces to step up, injured players to make triumphant returns, young players to break out, and veterans to earn their keep. With that in mind, here are five crucial x-factors down the stretch who can singlehandedly change the course of the playoff race.
Chop Robinson, EDGE
The Dolphins first round pick is coming alive, folks. Over the last three weeks, Chop has been terrorizing opposing quarterbacks to the tune of two sacks, four quarterback hits, and 15 (!) total pressures, the rookie is finally getting home. That’s not to say he was bad before, his 18.1% pressure rate overall on the season ranks 8th in the NFL among defenders with at least 100 pass rush snaps. Over the last few weeks, however, he has started to finish, and that is exactly what the defense has needed. Prior to the last two weeks, in which the defense had strung together back to back outings of three sacks or more for the first time in 2024, the Dolphins as a team had only produced a meager ten sacks in their first eight games. This ranked them 31st in the NFL, ahead of only the Atlanta Falcons. With a stretch of games upcoming that includes the likes of C.J. Stroud, Jordan Love, and Brock Purdy, the Dolphins will need their rookie edge rusher to continue his midseason breakout if the defense is to be up for the challenge of earning a wild card spot.
Kendall Lamm, OT
With Austin Jackson having season ending knee surgery ahead of week ten’s Monday night matchup versus Los Angeles, Kendall Lamm was tapped to be the blindside protector for Tua Tagovailoa down the stretch for the remainder of the season. The result? Arguably the worst performance of the season for the Dolphins offensive line. The Rams defense was able to generate pressure on Tagovailoa with regularity to the tune of a pressure rate of 25.8%. In week 11, however, the tune was starkly different. Lamm matched up with the vaunted Maxx Crosby for much of the day, and while the Dolphins still were not able to generate much success in the running game, Crosby was only able to generate a pressure on three of his 37 pass rushing snaps, for a lowly pressure rate of 8.1%. Lamm is one of the better backup tackles the league has to offer, and the Dolphins will need him to play as such, especially with a schedule that sees Will Anderson IV, Myles Garrett and Nick Bosa the rest of the way. As important as Lamm is at the tackle spot, this next player is just as important inside, maybe even more.
Isaiah Wynn, IOL
The Miami Dolphins guard play in pass protection this year has been, in a word, bad. According to PFF (controversial, I know), the Dolphins guards have combined to generate a paltry 36 grade in pass blocking sets, that’s out of 100, by the way. Enter Isaiah Wynn, who was designated to return prior to the Dolphins week 11 matchup at home versus the Raiders, opening up his three week practice window. While he remains out versus the Patriots, it is likely that Dolphins fans will be seeing Wynn on the field sooner, rather than later. The benefits of this being two fold, firstly, he will bolster the interior pass blocking on a line that sorely needs a boost in that department. Secondly, ins tepping in at Left Guard, he opens the door for Robert Jones to jump to the right side, allowing him to go back to playing his better position, while also allowing for a true competition between him and Eichenberg at that spot, giving the Dolphins a quality backup along the inside in whoever loses said position battle. If Wynn is able to regain his form, an offensive line combination of Armstead-Wynn-Brewer-Jones/Eichenberg-Lamm may be the best group the Dolphins have trot out to date this season.
Jevon Holland, S
Jevon Holland wants to get paid this offseason. Jevon Holland, at this point, at least, has not done much to help his cause in the 2024 season, as he has struggled in coverage, to the tune of allowing a 117.3 passer rating in coverage to opposing offenses when being targeted this season, a career worst for the safety to date. Now, Holland has been hampered by injuries this season, but this is a defense that sorely needs him to be the playmaker who generated 9 turnovers across his first three seasons, as this is a Dolphins defense that, while being solid all season long, has occasionally struggled in creating those plays that can change the course of a game, if he is able to reclaim his former form, the defense could have yet another level to hit down the stretch, a pretty scary thought for opposing offenses considering that the defense has been a top 10 unit to this point.
Jaylen Wright, RB
The Dolphins offense is currently in the midst of somewhat of a changing of the guard. While Wright only has had five carries each over the last two games, and has struggled to get any traction with any of those carries, though one can argue one Alec Ingold could remedy these struggles, this was significant in what it is symbolic of and the trend that the offense is moving towards. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel has used his running back stable almost like a pitching staff to this point, with De’Von Achane operating as the starter and a combination of Jaylen Wright and Raheem Mostert operating as the “closers”, backs who are more capable of providing the physical punishing runs in the fourth quarter to wear down defenses as the game winds down. This role will seemingly become much more important down the stretch as the Dolphins go on the road in tough conditions three times in their remaining eight games (at Green Bay, at Cleveland, at New York). This is exactly where Jaylen Wright fits in, Wright leads all Dolphins running backs with at least 40 carries in yards after contact per carry at 3.6. For context, Derrick Henry averages 3.8 yards after contact per carry. Obviously, this is not to say the 5’10”, 215 pound Wright will continue to run like the 6’2”, 240 pound Henry, but his tough running style will be critical to the Dolphins run game as they play these cold weather games on the road in November/December/January.
With the Dolphins likely needing to win at least six of their remaining seven to keep pace in the AFC, each of these players (and more, of course) will be crucial to the playoff push. In the immediate, though, each of these players will be crucial on a week to week basis, starting with the upcoming week 12 home matchup with Drake Maye and the Patriots.
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Follow @EricWiedeke for Dolphins and Marlins content on the Five Reasons Sports Network.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/Screenshot_23-11-2024_222943_docs.google.com_.jpeg420675Eric Wiedekehttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgEric Wiedeke2024-11-23 22:31:102024-11-23 22:34:25Five Dolphins X-Factors Down the Stretch
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.”
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.”
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.
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.
Mike McDaniel on Jonnu Smith: “He’s making defenses pay for the over-attention on Hill & Waddle.” pic.twitter.com/lwKcJ6l1Ye
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.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/smith-jonnu-catch.jpg11341800Craig Davishttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgCraig Davis2024-11-17 18:55:512024-11-17 19:30:39Pressure Point: Jonnu Smith’s 2 touchdowns lead Dolphins to win in tight-end duel
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 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.
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.
Stuff like this not encouraging to the Dolphins hoping & praying Tua will stop being reckless with how he puts his head down while delivering the blow.
He’s done a magnificent job avoiding helmet to ground contact when being taken down. But he’s still too aggressive. pic.twitter.com/Lqkyt3nRdv
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).
This is easily Liam Eichenberg’s most elite trait as a football player. He consistently drives opposing DLs so crazy they get caught retaliating on him. It’s one of those weird things about his career.
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.
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.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/image0-2024-11-10T115704.706.jpeg422640Eric Wiedekehttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgEric Wiedeke2024-11-10 11:58:132024-11-10 11:58:13Mission Impossible: Breaking Down the Dolphins’ Path to the Postseason
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.
Tua postgame: “We’re worried about the next opponent. We aren’t worried about playoffs. We’re trying to win out. #finsuppic.twitter.com/t5bwRXdBLS
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.
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.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/tua-at-bills.jpg367499Craig Davishttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgCraig Davis2024-11-03 19:07:122024-11-03 19:07:12Pressure Point: Dolphins cling to shrinking hopes after latest loss to Bills
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.
******
Eric Wiedeke (@EricWiedeke) appears on Final Yard and Pulse of Fins Nation and Prize Picks shows on the Five Reasons Sports Network.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/Dolphins-v-Bills-scaled.jpg17112560Eric Wiedekehttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgEric Wiedeke2024-10-31 13:51:362024-10-31 13:51:36Why Beating the The Big Brother Bills is All That Can Save the Miami Dolphins Now
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.”
This is the kind of game that bad football teams give away
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.
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.
“One thing we always joke about is sliding. Let us fight for the extra yards and you just do your thing in protecting yourself.”
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.
https://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/tua-fist.jpg10111500Craig Davishttps://www.fivereasonssports.com/wp-content/uploads/FiveReasonsWebsiteLogo.svgCraig Davis2024-10-27 19:26:532024-10-27 19:26:53Pressure Point: Tagovailoa’s strong return not enough to save Dolphins
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