The Dolphins had an incredible alternative to shut the hole between themselves and the final couple of playoff groups within the AFC on Sunday after they visited the Houston Texans. If that they had gained, they’d have completed the day inside a recreation of the playoffs with simply three video games to play because the Los Angeles Chargers fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at dwelling.
Nevertheless, the narrative that the Dolphins can’t go on the highway and defeat high quality opponents lives on as Miami shot themselves within the foot time and again (and time and again) once more — committing 4 turnovers on the day and solely placing up a single landing en path to a 20-12 loss to the Texans.
Technically, the Dolphins aren’t eradicated from playoff rivalry. In the event that they have been to win their closing three video games and the Chargers and Indianapolis Colts continued to falter, they’d be within the postseason, however that risk doesn’t even appear value speaking about with the best way our South Florida squad squandered Sunday’s matchup with Houston.
As an alternative, let’s look again on the good, dangerous and ugly from the group’s week 15 loss to the Texans.
GOOD
Dolphins rookies have strong outings regardless of failures round them
Whereas the remainder of the group performed very poorly on Sunday, three of Miami’s rookies seemed like strong contributors in opposition to the Texans.
First, Miami’s second spherical decide, left deal with Patrick Paul, received the beginning for the injured Terron Armstead. Paul was examined by one of many stiffest go rushes within the Nationwide Soccer League because the Texans boast a pair of dominating edge rushers in Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. Paul held his personal and didn’t look misplaced — which is greater than could possibly be stated about Miami’s third string proper deal with, Jackson Carman, who’s a veteran within the league.
Miami’s first spherical choice, Chop Robinson, additionally had a number of splash performs on the day — registering 1.5 sacks in opposition to the Texans. Robinson now has 5 sacks on his rookie season and appears to be a bit the Dolphins can rely on sooner or later.
Lastly, Malik Washington — Miami’s sixth spherical choice within the 2024 NFL Draft — had his finest day as a large receiver this season. He introduced in 5 receptions for a group excessive 52 yards in opposition to Houston.
Sure, these three performances have been a small silver lining to an in any other case extraordinarily darkish cloud of a recreation, nevertheless it’s one thing to construct on for the way forward for this franchise.
BAD
Tua Tagovailoa commits 4 turnovers in single rating loss
Tua Tagovailoa’s string of phenomenal outings got here to a crashing halt on Sunday in Houston because the younger quarterback threw three interceptions whereas additionally shedding a fumble within the loss. The 4 turnovers proved very expensive as Miami solely misplaced by a single rating on the afternoon.
It was simply Tagovailoa’s worst recreation since he returned from harm on October twenty seventh in opposition to the Arizona Cardinals.
Tagovailoa completed with simply 196 yards passing, a single landing throw and a 60.0 quarterback score.
For Tagovailoa, the non-good video games by no means appear to be just a bit dangerous. They all the time appear to be catastrophic. He both throws for 300+ yards and a number of scores, or he commits a number of boneheaded performs and turns the ball over quite a few instances.
All the group might want to clear issues up transferring ahead in the event that they wish to end the season robust and depart a very good style within the fanbase’s mouths heading into the 2025 NFL season.
UGLY
Dolphins receiver Grant DuBose exits recreation on stretcher
The Miami Dolphins didn’t simply get insulted on Sunday in Houston — there have been loads of accidents too. Large receiver Jaylen Waddle suffered a knee harm early on and by no means returned.
Nevertheless it was the harm to Grant DuBose that was actually the scariest a part of Sunday’s loss.
DuBose was reaching for an ill-advised Tagovailoa throw when he was violently hit within the helmet by Texans defender Calen Bullock. DuBose stayed on the turf whereas being attended to by medical workers — his teammates and opponents alike kneeling in prayer a brief distance away.
For a number of business breaks — practically 11 minutes — Dubose was immobile on the sector. His facemask was faraway from his helmet. His jersey was lower from his physique. He was positioned in a neck brace.
Finally he was stretchered off of the sector and brought to a neighborhood Houston hospital.
Following the sport, a number of Dolphins gamers expressed that DuBose was in good spirits and doing properly. “I simply really feel dangerous that I even put him in that state of affairs to have gotten hit. It was robust to maneuver on after that occurred,” stated Tagovailoa.
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The Dolphins couldn’t show the naysayers flawed on Sunday, shedding to the Texans by a rating of 20-12. Their playoff hopes are nonetheless alive, however not by a lot. What do you suppose the group wants to alter going into subsequent season if they’re to search out success transferring ahead? Let me know within the feedback beneath or on Twitter at @MBrave13. Fins up!
