This evening had the dramatic storylines earlier than kickoff with Tua Tagovailoa returning together with former Dolphins coach Brian Flores with Pittsburgh and Dolphins proprietor Steve Ross from suspension.
After kickoff, the defenses took over the evening, because the Dolphins (4-3) held on for a 16-10 win in opposition to Pittsburgh.
Here are 10 ideas on the win:
1. Play of the sport I: With Pittsburgh driving for the successful factors, Noah Igbinoghene, who had been picked on at instances once more Sunday, picked off quarterback Kenny Pickett in the long run zone with 18 seconds left. It was, by far, the most important play in his three Dolphins season. It was Igbinoghenes’ first profession interception in his first profession begin because the Dolphins had simply three cornerbacks. It was becoming a Dolphins defender made the play of the sport as a result of defenders have been making all of the performs this evening on each groups.
2. Play of the Game II: With three minutes left and Pittsburgh threatening on the Dolphins 30, Jevon Holland stepped in entrance of a Pickett move and returned it 33 yards to the Pittsburgh 49. If you get the concept this protection took care of Pickett, you’re on to the fitting thought about this evening. The Dolphins had three takeaways after not having any the earlier three video games.
3. It was a blended bag from Tua Tagovailoa in his first sport again after lacking a few video games in concussion protocol. He got here out on hearth. Mike McDaniel’s scheme supplied him fast reads and open receivers and Tua went to the fitting man on the opening drive in finishing six of seven passes for 68 yards on the opening drive, together with the 8-yard landing to Raheem Mostert. The second, 59-yard drive was productive, too, although ending in a discipline objective. Up 10-0, Tagovaila had accomplished seven of 9 passes for 93 yards and a landing. The different three quarters? He accomplished 14 of 26 passes for 168 yards because the Dolphins mustered two discipline objectives. Pittsburgh has a great protection, Mike Tomlin (and Brian Flores), made some changes and shut down Tua and the Dolphins offense. After 10 first downs within the first quarter (tied for second most in 1 / 4 since 2000), the Dolphins had seven first downs the remainder of the best way. Pittsburgh dropped two or three interceptions. An evening that started off nice ended with 16 factors on the board.
4. Stat of the sport: 13 second-half possessions led to 10 punts, two Pittsburgh interceptions and the Dolphins turning the ball over on downs. The story of the NFL this yr is diminishing scoring and these two defenses contributed to that. The Dolphins protection made all of the performs they wanted to win this one.
5. Second-guess of the evening: Facing fourth-and-3 on the Pittsburgh 14 whereas main 16-10, McDaniel went for it. A discipline objective would have put them up 9 factors. Sure, he was little question disillusioned at having to kick three discipline objectives in opposition to one landing to that time. But kicking the sphere objective to make it a two-score sport looks like the higher play. You can add a second-guess of the play – a variety of misdirection after which your lesser runner, Chase Edmonds, going into the road for no acquire. Tua might need had the choice the place to go together with the ball there. But between passing up the sphere objective and operating Edmonds into the road there’s ample room to second-guess right here.
6. Credit the Dolphins offensive line and the fast move reads of Tua as arrange by McDaniel for holding the concussion fears deep within the background. The solely early difficulty was when Tua scrambled within the first quarter and tried to run over Pittsburgh linebacker Devin Bush. Not the fitting thought, even when it resulted in a 6-yard acquire. With Terrod Armstead again at left deal with from a toe inury, the road contained a great Pittsburgh line of defense. The Steelers’ Larry Ogunjobi and Cameron Heyward dominated Tampa Bay the earlier week. They didn’t do a lot Sunday. Tua wasn’t simply saved protected, the operating sport got here alive – particularly to the left over Armstead. The preliminary three rushes his manner went for twenty-four
7. The throwback uniforms have been on show as a part of the ‘72 Dolphins reunion. And, boy, people love their throwback uniforms. The Dolphins held a nice banquet for the Perfect Team on Saturday night with ESPN’s Mike Tirico as emcee. One query that got here up was the champagne toast Nick Buoniconti and Dick Anderson had after that season’s final unbeaten staff was overwhelmed. Some across the nation decry as them being poor sports activities. Larry Seiple stated he didn’t have a champagne toast – “I had a beer toast.’” Larry Little stated he didn’t have champagne, both. “I toasted Grey Goose.” Who cares if some folks whine concerning the Dolphins having fun with being the one undefeated staff in league historical past? Keep your Grey Goose prepared, Larry.
5. The Dolphins had three wholesome cornerbacks and used all of them a lot of the evening, so the query was if Kenny Pickett would go after (a) Justin Bethel, a special-teams specialist; (b) third-year veteran Noah Igbinoghene; (c) Pro Bowler Xavien Howard. The reply was (b). The Dolphins have gone to lengths to spice up any glimmer of fine from Igbinoghene. But on the primary drive, Pickett overthrew Chase Claypool, who had two steps on the Dolphins cornerback. Then, on an 86-yard landing drive, Igbinogehene misplaced receiver George Pickens for a 30-yard move, had a 6-yard completion on third-and-2 thrown in opposition to him to Diontae Johnson and had good protection on Pickens in the long run zone however didn’t make a play on the ball and it was an 8-yard landing.
8. Long strategy to go, however we’re attending to the purpose the place it’s OK to peak on the playoff image. Here’s the place the AFC stands after Week 7:
1. Buffalo 5-1 (first in AFC East, play Monday evening)
2. Tennessee 4-2 (first in AFC South, beat Indianapolis Sunday)
3. Kansas City 5-2 (first in AFC West, beat San Francisco Saturday)
4. Ravens 4-3 (first in AFC North, beat Cleveland Sunday)
5. New York Jets 5-2 (beat Denver Sunday)
6. Los Angeles Chargers 4-3 (misplaced to Seattle Sunday)
7. Cincinnati 4-3 (beat Atlanta Sunday).
The Dolphins, in response to NFL.com, are on the bubble proper now because the eighth staff. Again, it’s early. Loads of video games to go.
9. Quick hits:
* Edmonds’ calling card was his receiving out of the backfield, however he dropped one other one early within the second quarter for a primary down.
* It was Cedric Wilson returning punts for the primary time Sunday evening after the staff’s used Jevon Holland, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle this season.
* Tennessee’s Mike Vrabel does extra with lower than any coach on the market.
* The Jets misplaced in successful Sunday when operating again Breece Hall suffered a reported season-ending knee damage.
* Tom Brady has retired, hasn’t he?
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10. Next week: Dolphins at Detroit. From a reunion with former coach Brian Flores to 1 with Dan Campbell. When Joe Philbin was fired early in 2015, Campbell took over together with his bodily method and was widespread contained in the staff earlier than Adam Gase was employed earlier than the following season. Campbell took over a giant rebuild in Detroit and was good sufficient to get a six-year contract to supervise it. The Lions are 1-5 and doing issues shedding groups do, like fumbling close to the Dallas finish zone Sunday with an opportunity to go forward within the second half. They misplaced, 24-6. An odd twist to their season: The Lions led the league in scoring earlier this yr and within the first 4 video games rating 35, 36, 24, 45 factors. The final two video games they have been shut out by New England and scored the six factors in opposition to Dallas.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com