The Miami Dolphins and the Philadelphia Eagles were the primetime lineup for Sunday Night Football. While expected to be a high-scoring game, a game filled with explosive excitement, the Dolphins would fall short, losing to the Eagles 31-17. Instead of the Dolphins blowing past Philadelphia’s defense, it would turn into a game full of injuries and a flag party.
4 Dolphins Players Injured
Guard Isaiah Wynn, linebacker David Long Jr., safety Javon Holland and wide receiver Jaylen Waddle were all beat up in Sunday’s contest, missing some playing time and some even not returning.
Waddle had suffered a back injury, but returned later in the game. Wynn left the game with a quad injury, and both Holland and Long Jr. suffered a helmet-to-helmet hit while chasing Eagles QB Jalen Hurts in the third quarter.
“The Ref Show” / Fan Reactions
Many fans felt that the referees were brutal especially towards Miami in this game. There were missed calls all over the place, but the Dolphins also struggled to get it together and plow through Philadelphia on SNF. It didn’t help that the Dolphins had ten penalties on the night compared to the Eagles’ zero. Though, it could be argued that the refs definitely missed some calls against Philly.
Congrats to the Eagles on committing zero penalties. This is what discipline looks like. pic.twitter.com/07YTpZGXpC
— Lord of the Fins (@lordofthefins) October 23, 2023
one singular player on the dolphins: *breathes*
refs: pic.twitter.com/w0ozqTp0Tg
— Beanin 𓆌 (@beanin_06) October 23, 2023
Like the face mask call that wasn’t called but it was an obvious face mask hold:
2. Not calling a face mask on an obvious face mask hold pic.twitter.com/ntKWeZECwk
— Mike McDaniel (@MikMcDaniel) October 23, 2023
Or just all the calls in general that the Eagles should’ve been called on, but weren’t.
The #Eagles will finish this game with ZERO penalties.
NFL needs to get this cleaned up. pic.twitter.com/WA833ZBX6b
— NFL Notifications (@NFLNotify) October 23, 2023
Though some fans still have faith in the Dolphins, this game doesn’t define their season.
I really hope nobody walks away from tonight thinking less of this Dolphins team.
Don’t let the media tell you that this game means we don’t belong, because it’s not true.
The Miami Dolphins are still a Super Bowl caliber football team. This loss does not change that.#FinsUp pic.twitter.com/HYSiyxYCTF
— The Kevin Harlan Effect (@KevHarlanEffect) October 23, 2023
I am still not panicking 😃@MiamiDolphins.
☑️ 9 more games to go.👀#NFL #SundayFootball pic.twitter.com/6fulWYilni
— Juan Carlos Carrasquilla (@JC_Carrasquilla) October 23, 2023
Even Tyreek Hill had an ‘off night’, only recording 88 yards, seems to be putting the loss on himself, saying he’ll be better next time.
I’ll be be better I promise ✌🏿
— Ty Hill (@cheetah) October 23, 2023
While trailing in the fourth, Tagovailoa throws deep on a pass intended for Raheem Mostert, but it was picked by Darius Slay by the goal line and he returned the pick for 16 yards. Tagovailoa was 23-of-32 for 216 yards against Hurts and the Eagles.
Hurts finished the night 23-for-31 with 279 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. There’s no arguing that Hurts was able to command his team and push through what was supposed to be a tough Miami defense.
AJ Brown ended tonight’s game with 137 receiving yards, marking the fifth straight game in which he’s gotten 125 or more in receiving yards. He tied Calvin Johnson, Lions wide receiver, with most consecutive games over the 125 mark.
After a four-turnover performance at MetLife Stadium that handed the Eagles their first loss of the season, this primetime game was a bounce back for the team as they move to 6-1. Them and the Kansas City Chiefs are the only two teams now that sit with a 6-1 record.
Thanks to the Buffalo Bills losing Sunday, however, the Miami Dolphins are still in first place in the AFC East despite their loss.