Dolphins’ Takeaways: A Tough Night In Miami
Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
On Thursday night, the Buffalo Bills went on the road to take their 11th win in their last 12 games against the Miami Dolphins, and the brutal 31-10 loss is the least of their concerns. With Tua Tagovailoa sustaining his fourth concussion since 2022, they’re dealing with things bigger than a football game. On the field, costly turnovers and a bad run defense made this game an absolute blowout.
What are the top takeaways from this game?
Too Much Hero Ball
The Dolphins rely on their high-flying offense. When it works, they’re arguably the most fun offense in the league. However, when things slow down and the scoring isn’t coming as easy, Miami resorts to Hero Ball. They do too much, play outside themselves, and watch the following mistakes compound on themselves.
When Tua tried to throw the ball away instead of taking a sack, he threw a u-g-l-y (you ain’t got no alibi) interception.
Remember when Acho said Herbert has a pick six problem? Tua now had more pick sixes than Herbert. pic.twitter.com/1cZFIZVZ6k
— ALL-PRO Dean Thanos (@HailDeanThanos) September 13, 2024
Tua’s three interceptions resulted in a 17-point swing for Buffalo, with a touchdown in the first quarter. This doesn’t even include the sack taken by Tua on a 4th-and-2, which allowed this to happen on the very next play.
JAMES COOK WITH HIS 3RD TD OF THE GAME 🤯
IT'S ONLY THE FIRST HALF.
(via @NFL) pic.twitter.com/RSUVc4hvS1
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 13, 2024
In a sense, it’s like when someone at a casino makes big bets to try and break even to compensate for their losses. The Dolphins have as much explosiveness, agility, and speed at their disposal as any team in the NFL. However, there are times when they try to bail themselves out of a bad situation by forcing a deep ball to Tyreek Hill, and it only makes things worse. Against a talented defense like the Bills, who essentially have the Dolphins’ number, Miami needs to adjust their offensive plan and focus on methodically moving the ball down the field rather than on getting a touchdown every other play.
Miami Needs More Than De’Von Achane
De’Von Achane is an incredible talent, and he was the one player on the Dolphins who had a productive night. He was far away the Dolphins’ most productive player against the Bills, as he led the team in carries, rushing yards, catches, and even receiving yards.
If this is what De’Von Achane being limited looks like… pic.twitter.com/SVdLpvsrKy
— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) September 13, 2024
Achane had 165 all-purpose yards, while the rest of the team combined for just 199. The star running back was limited all week due to an ankle injury, and he still took 22 carries when the rest of the team’s non-quarterbacks combined for nine. Jaylen Wright, the Dolphins’ next man up on the depth chart, received all of five carries. Jeff Wilson Jr., who was perfectly healthy, did get called upon for a single rushing play, though he did catch two passes.
Running backs have a much shorter life span than most other positions. The Dolphins traded up in the draft to select Wright and brought in Wilson, whose time with Mike McDaniel dates back to their days together in San Francisco. Even with Achane’s explosiveness, the Dolphins have enough talent and speed at running back to have more of a committee, especially when Raheem Mostert gets healthy. There is a way to increase Achane’s lifespan at running back while, at the same time, making him the focal point of the running back room.
Tua’s Injury Was A Gut Punch
"I'm just worried about the human being." ❤️
Mike McDaniel on Tua Tagovailoa pic.twitter.com/vn3OI48sXz
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 13, 2024
The instant Tua Tagovailoa collided with Damar Hamlin, I, as someone who saw both players have life-altering injuries in person, simultaneously winced at my television and screamed “Oh no.”
Head injuries are seemingly an every-week occurrence in the NFL, but there is no player whose concussions concern people quite like Tua Tagovailoa. His family visited him at the locker room on Thursday, After his multiple concussions, more than one of which have seen Tua lay on the field in a defensive pose seen after a traumatic brain injury, the majority of public opinion called for Tua to retire.
His long-term health does need to be given serious consideration. However, despite countless people calling for Tua to retire, head coach Mike McDaniel emphasized in an interview that the decision is not up to the general public.
Mike McDaniel GETS IT. His response on whether Tua Tagovailoa should retire is worth 2 min of your time.
🎥 @MiamiDolphins pic.twitter.com/UAf3rM2nNx
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 13, 2024
Respecting that decision, whichever way it goes, I’ll just say what an absolute gut punch it is to see Tua in this position. We’re talking about a 26-year-old and, by every account, a great human, who took the reins as the Dolphins’ franchise quarterback and led them back to relevance. He’s the center of the best and most fun team Miami has seen in at least a quarter century. To think there’s a possibility of his career being over, or the concussions robbing him (and us, as viewers) of his ceiling as a player is beyond tragic.
Thankfully, Tua’s in as good hands as anyone. The Miami organization, who were voted the top-ranked team, according to the NFLPA’s last season, will undoubtedly help Tagavailoa make the best decision for his long-term health. Whatever happens from here, let’s hope that Tua is able to enjoy a long, healthy, happy life.
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