It wasn’t the dominant sort of victory observers may need wished to see from the Miami Dolphins in opposition to the one-win Detroit Lions, however within the NFL, some Sundays a workforce has to take the victory nonetheless it could get it.
On Sunday at Ford Field, it meant getting back from two completely different 14-point deficits. Miami began instantly in a 14-0 gap, giving up touchdowns on their first two defensive sequence and dropping a fumble in between.
As the offense was buzzing behind quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in opposition to the Lions’ struggling protection, the once-reliable Dolphins protection appeared prefer it couldn’t get a cease. That modified within the second half as Miami shut out Detroit after halftime, nevertheless it was assisted by the Dolphins offense protecting the ball away from the Lions with lengthy, sustained drives, and Detroit backing itself up with penalties on a essential third-quarter sequence. Ultimately, the Lions turned it over on downs on their final probability, and Miami ran out the clock.
Here’s how the Dolphins graded out in varied areas of Sunday’s 31-27 win in opposition to the Lions to enhance to 5-3 with the Chicago Bears up subsequent.
Passing recreation: A
Overall distinctive. Through the air, the Dolphins remained within the recreation when their protection couldn’t get a cease early, after which put collectively the comeback with the sustained second-half drives.
Tua Tagovailoa was again in kind, going 29 of 36 (80.5 %) for 382 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions — nor close to interceptions, which grew to become a preferred statistic after his Sunday evening recreation final week in opposition to the Steelers. Taking benefit of a last-ranked Detroit protection that was down a number of defensive backs, his 138.7 passer ranking was his greatest single-game determine in his profession. On third downs, Tagovailoa was at his greatest, finishing 8 of 9 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
Tyreek Hill, in going for 12 receptions and 188 yards, had six catches of 15 or extra yards. He constantly obtained open underneath an over-the-top security primarily involved with not getting beat deep. On one seam route, he obtained past two Lions defenders and Tagovailoa underthrew him, not solely moving into the throw with an incoming go rusher, however Hill got here again and got here down together with his game-long 42-yard reception.
With Jaylen Waddle ending with 106 yards on eight receptions, Hill and Waddle maintain an NFL report for many receiving yards for a pair of teammates via eight video games (1,688). The two labored in tandem properly on Waddle’s two touchdowns, with Hill drawing protection away from him. Tagovailoa and tight finish Mike Gesicki had been in sync on the go-ahead landing as Gesicki sat the place he was open as a substitute of continuous towards protection on his nook route.
Running recreation: B-
Nothing too spectacular, nevertheless it was strong and complemented the passing recreation. The Dolphins had 107 yards on 26 makes an attempt (a 4.1 common) and picked up eight of their 27 first downs on the bottom.
Raheem Mostert continues to be the lead again. He had 14 carries for 64 yards. Tagovailoa scrambled for an 18-yard pickup — and he’s sliding now on the finish of his runs. Alec Ingold supplied a pleasant open-field block on that one, and the Miami fullback additionally scored on a 1-yard sneak, motioning underneath heart to take the direct snap.
Defending the go: D
The Dolphins began two undrafted rookies within the secondary, and it appeared prefer it early. Verone McKinley, known as up from the observe squad for the third time this season, is an effective story in beginning alongside former Oregon teammate Jevon Holland, nevertheless it didn’t repay within the first half. Miami gave up touchdowns on Detroit’s first three drives, with a number of massive performs surrendered via the air.
Cornerback Xavien Howard appeared a step sluggish on at the very least a few events once more. Even Holland, who had a career-high 12 tackles taking part in within the field quite a bit with McKinley because the deep security, had his share of mishaps, together with the lengthy catch and run given as much as tight finish T.J. Hockenson.
Kader Kohou was in protection for the late fourth-down incompletion that sealed it. The one passing landing was on linebacker Jerome Baker in opposition to operating again D’Andre Swift.
There wasn’t a lot when it comes to go rush, however defensive sort out Zach Sieler had a monstrous sack and two go deflections. Jaelan Phillips obtained two hits on Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who had 264 of his 321 passing yards within the first half.
Defending the run: C+
The return of star operating again D’Andre Swift wasn’t too impactful because the Dolphins held him to six yards on 5 carries, though Swift did have a receiving landing. It was principally Jamaal Williams for Detroit on the bottom. He averaged 5.3 yards per stick with it his 10 makes an attempt, which included two touchdowns up the center.
Overall, Miami surrendered 4.3 yards per try dashing. Even then, the Lions feared the Dolphins defensive entrance sufficient on essentially the most essential play of the sport. Needing one yard on fourth down, after selecting up 11 via the air the play earlier than on third-and-12, Detroit didn’t go to the bottom and ended up with the failed deep shot to Josh Reynolds in opposition to Kohou.
Special groups: B-
Kicker Jason Sanders made his one discipline aim. The Dolphins’ one punt was properly executed, 38 yards by Thomas Morstead from the Detroit 46-yard line to the 8 with the protection from Keion Crossen there to convey the returner down on the 12.
Miami could have one thing with Cedrick Wilson returning punts because the workforce confirmed its first indicators of life in that space in his two probabilities, however there was a penalty on certainly one of them. The Dolphins gave up the faux punt late within the first half, which was surprising from the Lions’ 33-yard line, however the unit nonetheless should be prepared for it.
Coaching: C
There was a message that obtained throughout at halftime; that’s for certain. Some changes defensively performed a job in shutting out Detroit within the second half after 27 first-half factors, nevertheless it was principally simply higher execution and restricted alternatives for the Lions, solely getting three possessions after halftime.
Still, the defensive recreation plan to start out was getting Miami torched in opposition to a Lions workforce that, coming in, hadn’t scored a landing within the earlier two video games.
Penalties had been additionally a problem once more as Miami had seven of them, however 9 extra that had been declined as a result of they nonetheless resulted in optimistic performs for Detroit.
Stock up: Tua Tagovailoa
That’s straightforward. He’s formally again. He shook off the rust from his first recreation again final Sunday evening in opposition to the Steelers and was his common correct self, delivering balls on time, within the spot his receivers wanted them and not likely coming near an interception. Some could grade it the perfect general recreation of his profession, as Pro Football Focus did.
Stock down: Eric Rowe
In what appeared primed to be Rowe’s alternative with sturdy security Brandon Jones out, he wasn’t even lively for the sport. The veteran who has ties from the Patriots with defensive coordinator Josh Boyer was a wholesome scratch. The Dolphins opted as a substitute to exchange Jones Sunday with Holland taking part in Jones’ common position within the field and McKinley largely because the free security.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com