Tyreek Hill: Dolphins offense needs longer drives
Tyreek Hill: Dolphins offense needs longer drives
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The Miami Dolphins traveled to the New England Patriots for an AFC East “clash” at Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. made his Dolphins debut, with former Ravens teammate Tyler Huntley at quarterback.
The Dolphins entered the game as a 1.5-point favorite against the rebuilding Patriots.
Miami was seeking its first win this season without Tua Tagovailoa.
In what was a very ugly contest featuring too many penalties, turnovers and miscues, the Dolphins defeated the Patriots, 15-10.
The Dolphins are 2-3. The Patriots are 1-4.
Tyler Huntley led the Dolphins on an 80-yard drive late in the fourth quarter, a touchdown drive capped by a 3-yard touchdown run by Alec Ingold to put Miami ahead.
More: Miami Dolphins running back De’Von Achane suffers concussion against the New England Patriots
New England failed to score after driving the ball into Miami’s red zone in the final minute.
After getting the ball back in the final seconds, New England once again failed to score.
Here are our Instant Grades for Dolphins at Patriots
Quarterback
Tyler Huntley threw a first-quarter interception on a slant route intended for Odell Beckham, when Christian Gonzalez undercut the route. Huntley was not ready when Aaron Brewer snapped the ball for a fumble in the second quarter. Huntley was nearly intercepted in the Patriots’ end zone on a pass to Tyreek Hill. We have to credit Huntley with helping to steer the touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter.
Grade: C-
Running Backs
Raheem Mostert returned for the Dolphins after missing three games with a chest injury. De’Von Achane sustained a concussion in the first quarter and did not return. Jaylen Wright gave the Dolphins a spark with a cut-back for a 17-yard gain in the third quarter. Miami did top 100 yards and one could argue, as is often the case, that Miami should have run the ball even more. Alec Ingold scored a touchdown.
Grade: B
Receivers
Odell Beckham made his Dolphins debut on the first drive. He was the target on a first-quarter interception. OBJ was a non-factor. Tyler Huntley got Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle involved in the first quarter. Waddle later failed to haul in a catch he might have. Hill was flagged for an illegal shift in the second quarter. Rookie Malik Washington was flagged for an illegal block in the second quarter.
Grade: C-
Tight Ends
Jonnu Smith got involved quickly, with two catches on Miami’s opening drive, a scoring drive that provided Miami a 3-0 lead, their first lead of the season. Miami won its opener as time expired. Jonnu caught another pass in the second quarter, as Miami clearly had a plan to target him more on Sunday. Smith converted a third down with a catch in the fourth quarter. Julian Hill was called for a critical hold in the fourth quarter.
Grade: C
Offensive Line
Right guard Liam Eichenberg was beaten inside for a speed sack in the first quarter. Eichenberg was flagged for holding in the fourth quarter. Center Aaron Brewer was flagged for holding in the second penalty. Huntley was sacked three times through three quarters and Miami at that point was averaging 4.5 yards per carry.
Grade: C-
Defensive Line
Zach Sieler overpowered the Patriots offensive line for a sack in the first quarter. Sieler continues to be an absolute monster and a great value for Miami. The Dolphins defense was not outstanding against the rush.
Grade: C
Linebackers/Edge Rushers
Tyus Bowser recorded a half sack on his first defensive series as a Dolphin. He teamed with Emmanuel Ogbah. Rookie Chop Robinson delivered a third-down quarterback hit on Jacoby Brissett. Chop has dedicated his season to Jaelan Phillips, out for the year with a knee injury. Miami posted two sacks through three quarters. Jordyn Brooks was active.
Grade: C
Defensive Backs
Marcus Maye dove and missed and Jevon Holland got spun around and could not make the play to stop a rushing touchdown by Rhamondre Stevenson in the first quarter to give New England a 7-3 lead. Maye started for injured Jordan Poyer. Kader Kohou had a nice play in coverage. Jalen Ramsey was flagged for roughing the passer in the third quarter. He slapped at Jacoby Brissett as he went by the quarterback, which is, well, not an ideal choice. Brissett did not get much of anything going in the air. Holland sustained a hand injury and was ruled out, which is very concerning moving forward. Maye and Elijah Campbell were the safeties at the end of the game.
Grade: C+
Special Teams
Jason Sanders connected on a 54-yard field goal in the first quarter. Then things spiraled out control. Sanders hit the left upright and missed on a 41-yard field goal. Jake Bailey had a punt blocked in the second quarter. The punt was blocked by Brenden Schooler, who ran around the edge of Duke Riley. Bailey had a good punt downed by Alec Ingold at the Patriots’ 5-yard line. Braxton Berrios played a punt nicely just before halftime. The Dolphins’ special teams are awful. A false start moved a 46-yard field goal attempt to a 51-yard attempt. Then a bad snap by Blake Ferguson rolled on the ground and Jason Sanders was tackled. This is unacceptable.
Grade: F
Coaching
The Dolphins continued to struggle with illegal shift penalties. Miami’s offense has been pathetic this season. In the fourth quarter of their fifth game, they had totaled four touchdowns all season. All season. The special teams unit coordinated by Danny Crossman was a disaster. Once again. Anthony Weaver’s defense has been pretty solid or this would be an F. We’re sure McDaniel is trying his best to generate offense, but it has not happened at all this season. And it can’t all be just about Tua.
Grade: D
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Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
