Hogs Haven
The Dolphins opened on offense at the 35-yard line after a touchback.
De’Von Achane opened up with a 10-yard run. Not ideal. The Dolphins reached the 45-yard line with a 15-yard pass completion to Waddle, and then things went wrong — Achane ran for 23 yards on the third play of the game. So far, the DQ defense looks a lot like the Joe Whitt defense.
On 3rd & 2 at the 24-yard line, Achane was stopped short; the Dolphins offense lined up for 4th & 1, but the officials flagged Miami for delay of game. The field goal kicker — one of the hundreds of guys who kicked for Washington last year — Riley Patterson hit the 46-yard attempt to make the score 3-0 with 10:35 left in the first quarter. The drive covered 52 yards in 7 plays.
Washington’s first offensive drive started at the 21-yard line following a short return by Chase Edmonds.
Chris Rodriguez started at running back; the drive opened with a pass to Chris Moore followed by a couple of runs by CRod. A pass to Deebo left the team facing 3rd & 1 on the 5th play of the drive — a run by Rodriguez that was stuffed at the line of scrimmage.
On 4th & 1, Mariota faked the handoff to Rodriguez and hit Colson Yankoff for a 4-yard gain to midfield.
Another big play came on a completion to Jaylin Lane on a crossing pattern for a gain of 13 yards to the 36-yard line.
McNichols came into the game and was the immediate recipient of a screen pass that not only went for 6 yards, but had a personal foul penalty against Miami added on, moving the ball to the 15-yard line.
A pass interference flag on the next play moved the ball to the 11-yard line. Rodriguez returned to the field of play. Miami’s nose tackle Benito Jones was shaken up on the 1st down play.
A pair of Rodriguez runs led to 3rd & 1 at the 2-yard line, and the Commanderw went to the jumbo package.
On 3rd down, it was a QB keeper left that was never close to working (a bad play call).
On 4th & 2, Rodriguez was flagged for a false start on what was going to be a pass play.
Matt Gay came in to attempt the tying field goal — nailing the 26-yard kick. 3-3 with 2:36 left in the first quarter. The drive covered 77 yards in 11 plays, but should have ended in a touchdown instead of a field goal.
Miami’s offense was back on the field at the 23-yard line for its 2nd drive of the game after a good tackle by Yankoff on the kickoff.
Miami is using a lot of motion on offense, but this time I don’t see it affecting the defense. Despite that, the Dolphins earn 19 yards on 2 plays to reach the 42-yard line.
Achane got buried on...
