The Phinsider
The Miami Dolphins were outplayed, outcoached, and outmatched on Sunday as the Cleveland Browns dominated the entire Week 7 matchup. Miami never was in the game, with the Browns repeatedly punching the Dolphins in the face. It was yet another embarrassing performance from the Dolphins in every aspect of the game.
It was so lopsided, rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers replaced starter Tua Tagovailoa for the final half of the fourth quarter. Tagovailoa ended the game 12-for-23 for 100 yards with three interceptions.
The Dolphins never looked like a professional team that takes pride in their performance. They stepped on the field and had already lost.
Dolphins 6 – 31 Browns
Cleveland won the toss and elected to receive. Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel started the drive with a six yard scramble, but two straight runs on second and third down only picked up one additional yard and the Browns punted on the third-and-out possession.
Good defensive start. The Browns are trying to establish their running game on a wet field with the rain expected to fall throughout the game and with wind an anticipated factor throughout the day. Miami’s defense has struggled against the run, but they at least stood up to it on the first drive.
Like the Browns, Miami looked to establish the run early with running back De’Von Achane picking up four yards on each of the first two plays before quarterback Tua Tagovailoa dropped a pass into wide receiver Malik Washington for 14 yards. After an incomplete pass on a deep attempt from Tagovailoa – with no apparent receiver near the ball – the Dolphins lost five yards when Tagovailoa threw a lateral to Achane, but the running back could not catch it and had to fall on the loose ball. A screen pass to Washington lost a yard and Miami was forced to punt.
Miami head coach Mike McDaniel loves him some screen passes. A wet, rainy game and the Dolphins ran just on the first two plays. Not sure what happened on the deep pass attempt – obviously someone was confused on the call or someone slipped.
Miami forced the Browns into a 3rd-and-14, potentially leading to another three-and-out, but an illegal contact penalty on the Dolphins gave Cleveland a free first down. After wide receiver Jerry Jeudy was able to pick up 16 yards a couple of plays later, a roughing the passer penalty on Miami provided an additional 15 yards and another free first down for Cleveland. Running back Quinshon Judkins handled the next three plays for the Browns, picking up 23 yards on three carries before Miami’s defense stepped up to shut down the drive, forcing a Cleveland field goal.
*Penalties are the story of that possession. The roughing the passer penalty looked like Zach Sieler was trying to get his hands up to stop a pass attempt, then hit...
