The Miami Dolphins lost their first game at home this season to the Tennessee Titans by a score of 28-27. There are plenty of ugly games in the NFL, but this one will stick to me for a little longer than past losses. From the beginning, if you have been a Dolphins fan for a long time like myself, you just know when games are going to be ugly. We know when our team is out of sync and how dysfunctional they can be when they are out of rhythm offensively. Just like tonight, there were many instances that Miami could not get their offense going.
Personally, I do not like my team plays on primetime. Yes, it’s always great to see them be one of the only NFL games on television. But, for some reason, on primetime there is always weird things happening. Like tonight, in 3 straight plays there were injuries to the Dolphins. One being their star receiver Tyreek Hill, who later came back in but was not the same as he usually is. The biggest injury in my opinion was to Connor Williams, he has been the leader of the offensive line. When Connor is not playing our offense is completely out of rhythm.
I could not be more disappointed in how the game played out tonight. Our defense was playing very well to start, they were keeping Derrick Henry at bay and not letting Deandre Hopkins do too much damage. Being down Jevon Holland on the back end and Jerome Baker in the middle was already a big loss and towards the end of the game, it showed. Even Bradley Chubb admitted at the end of the game “we took out foot off the gas a little”. I don’t know about you Dolphins fans, but that quote really got me upset. This is a game that should’ve theoretically been a layup and you take your foot off the gas in the most crucial moment? Let’s also not forget the dumb penalty he got which set up points for Tennessee that could’ve easily been avoided.
Now getting into the offense. Already being down Terron Armstead, Isaiah Wynn, Robert Hunt and losing Williams mid game it was a recipe for disaster. Tua was pressured on 39% of his drop backs and it resulted in him being sacked 5 times. Also, Jaylen Waddle is not targeted enough even when Hill is on the field. I’m not sure if it’s a separation issue or Tua just simply does not see him, but he is one of our playmakers that can change the game and he is literally never targeted. Hopefully, by next week or even when we play Dallas we can get some of the injured players back or else we are in for a rough final 4 games.
The last thing that I think costed us the game was the play calling offensively. Mike McDaniel is one of the most creative play callers in the NFL. But, for some reason, in key moments when we need points or a big play he does something completely out of the ordinary. Like not running the ball on the 3 yard line with Raheem Mostert. McDaniel’s play calling in the red zone costed Miami AT LEAST 8 points. Then on the final drive when we needed a first down, he calls a swing pass to Achane? Look, I am the furthest thing from a football coach, but even I know when you need to push the ball down the field on a must score drive, you don’t throw it horizontally.
There Is Plenty of Time Left in the NFL Season
All in all, the season is far from over. Miami sits at 9-4 on the year and still at the top of the AFC East. This loss does hurt their chances of winning the AFC, but there is still a ton of football left. Miami will host the Jets next week and look to get back on track. Like I said above, if they can get some offensive lineman back and maybe Jevon Holland, it will be a completely different team than what we saw on the field last night.
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