The Dolphins lose again and fall to 0-3. Here are my thoughts after a quick watch of the game.
POSITIVES APLENTY IN THE GAME
This game went as expected and yet… not as expected. The steady descent to 0-17 appeared to be slowing down as the Dolphins looked like merely a bad team and not the worst team ever assembled in the history of ever. The final score was both indicative and not indicative of how the game actually played out. Losing 24-10 looks bad in the box score, and it never really felt like they had a REAL chance to win. But the Dolphins were only down 17-10 with over 11 minutes left in the 4th quarter and had the ball at that point. Things didn’t turn out well, but the situation was not out of control like it had been in the previous 2 games. By the time the 3rd quarter ended in the first 2 games, the Dolphins had given up 27 points and 35 points respectively and the game was effectively over before the final period of the game. This game was still competitive. At least in the box score. Perhaps part of that was being at home. Perhaps they are starting to play a little better. Whatever it is, the Dolphins looked like maybe things could be starting to turn around. There were still some hiccups, such as the fumble deep in the opponent’s territory that could have yielded points. But the Dolphins still moved the ball, with 329 yards of offense, going 8-16 on 3rd down – 50% would be 8th in the league and the Dolphins are currently 12th at 41.5% – and gaining 19 first downs. Chris Bell stepped up in the absence of Caleb Douglas, with 4 catches for 67 yards. Malik Willis moved the ball on the ground well, picking up key yards for the Dolphins to extend drives. The Dolphins did not allow a sack for the first time all season. All of this is still a work in progress, but maybe, just maybe, it’s starting to turn around and things are starting to click.
COACHING DECISIONS ARE STILL QUESTIONABLE
After just one quick watch, I can’t tell you with certainty about all the play calls. There were a lot of screens and deep passes, and still not very many easy completions to be had. However, I CAN tell you with certainty that the worst coaching decision came before the game was ever played. You entered this game with 2 healthy running backs and the practice squad elevations were for a defensive end that played 8 defensive snaps and a backup linebacker that played 11 special teams snaps. Meanwhile, you lost your starting RB early on, forcing you to play with 1 healthy RB, who also missed snaps due to cramping, and forcing you to either use a WR at RB (more on that later) or throw the ball more. That is terrible decision making. The Dolphins traded for Jarquez Hunter and he remained on the PS, despite the fact they needed depth at the position before a snap was taken. This is terrible decision making and terrible planning. He or Carlos Washington Jr. will likely be added to the roster now that Achane is going to IR.
This wasn’t the only issue I have with coaching. Yeah, the Dolphins held Mahomes and the Chiefs to 17 points until late in the 4th quarter. That has to count for something, right? Well, I have another issue and that is with the number 6. As is 6 is the total amount of incompletions the Dolphins have allowed in the last 2 games. The Dolphins tightened up on the run game, allowing 3.5 YPC and only 88 total rushing yards, despite Walker having a 22-yard run in that equation. But the defense simply cannot keep allowing QBs to complete passes at will against a softer than Charmin defense. The Dolphins were able to generate some pressure in this game despite not getting a sack. Mahomes is renowned for being able to make stuff happen off-script, but it is pitch-and-catch for everyone. Even past-his-prime Kirk Cousins only had 9 incompletions in 30 attempts. Both the Chiefs and 49ers had guys wide open all the time. It was sickening. Thankfully, the Dolphins get a QB this week that is not in the upper echelon of throwers. But if they allow Murray or Wentz to get completion after completion, then something needs to change. Maybe it’s the playcalling. Maybe it’s the playcaller. But allowing only 6 incompletions in 2 games is simply unacceptable. Incompletions can turn into much needed stops the defense has produced too few of this season.
I really didn’t have the desire to watch the first 2 games on All-22 because those games were lost causes. This game showed the Dolphins have issues and are a bad team but may be closer to having a chance to win than we previously thought. In a long season with no hope, we’ll take what we can get.