Top Takeaways From the Dolphins’ Win Over New York
Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Mike McDaniel did not want to call Sunday’s game against the New York Giants a get-right game. He wants his players to take each and every single opponent seriously, not just for the sake of that week but for the momentum they are building throughout the season.
Well, call it whatever you want, a 31-16 thumping of Brian Daboll’s team not only restored Miami’s momentum, it put the Dolphins right back on their historic pace.
Let’s take a look at a few of the biggest takeaways from the win over New York.
Tua Tagovailoa Is Resilient
In years past when Tua would throw a bad pick or commit an atrocious fumble, the mistake would follow him the rest of the game. Despite his two interceptions on Sunday, the Dolphins’ quarterback was able to shrug off the negativity and come back even stronger on the next drive.
But make no mistake, the defensive disguises are here to stay.
Through the first three weeks of the season, Tagovailoa had been extremely efficient as the team exploded offensively. Much of this was due to his ability to consistently hit his first read. In Week 4 the Bills did an effective job of disguising their coverages while forcing pressure up the middle. Clearly the Giants tried to follow that pattern. Both of Tua’s picks and several other bad throws, including the atrocious one to start the second have, were attributed to him poorly progressing through his reads.
Resilience is good, but if the Dolphins are going to beat the best teams in the league, next on Tuas list will have to be overcoming disguises.
Turnovers
Even with a blowout of a final score, this game could have easily been far more lopsided. How often does an NFL team lose the turnover battle by three and still manhandle their opponent? It happens so rarely that I couldn’t find a statistic on it. But the turnover differential is still a problem. Both of Tagovailoa’s interceptions came from bad decisions, and against a more formidable opponent they could easily prove the difference in an important game. Ball security will be crucial moving forward, especially if the defense maintains its current ability.
Homerun Ability
Knowing that any handoff can go to the length of the field is special.
The NFL has not seen a scoring threat in the backfield the likes of which the Dolphins present since the days of prime Adrian Peterson. With the offensive line creating massive holes, the run game will continue to build a foundation that terrifies opposing coordinators. The next challenge will be McDaniel sticking to it when things go wrong.
Tyreek Is That Guy
While the rest of the league crowns Justin Jefferson, Tyreek Hill continues to be the league’s best weapon. His ability to get the ball anywhere on the field and make the defense pay is outrageous. He once again proved it on a ridiculous 64-yard screen in Sunday’s game.
The Dolphins team speed is laughable!!! Tyreek Hill, 64 yard gain! 🔥🔥🔥
You better wear track spikes when you play Miami. #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/Dy6PAsChoD
— Emmanuel Acho (@EmmanuelAcho) October 8, 2023
On a day where the running backs grabbed all the headlines, Hill still put up eight catches for 181 yards and a touchdown. Insanity.
Putting a 6th round rookie in press man inside shade against Tyreek Hill with no vertical safety help is an absurd demand from Wink Martindale 😭 pic.twitter.com/AcW7KV811o
— Nico (@elitetakes_) October 8, 2023
The speedster is on pace to shatter Calvin Johnson‘s single-season record, and if there’s anyone who needs to hear it, we are here to repeat it: He is the best wide receiver in the game.
Two Of the Coldest White Boys
Speaking of Tyreek, the defense played well, sacking Daniel Jones seven times, but the star receiver wanted to let everybody know how he felt about a couple of his defenders.
“We got probably two of the coldest white boys in the league,” Hill said. “with Gink [Andrew Van Ginkel] and [Zach] Sieler. Those boys for real on that defensive side of the ball.”
They’re Somehow Still Not Firing On All Cylinders
It sounds asinine to say as the Dolphins are seemingly poised to break a host of NFL records, but you ain’t seen nothing yet. With the NFL’s best WR2 still barely in the mix, who knows what this offense is capable of once Jaylen Waddle is at full strength. Add Chase Claypool, who has an opportunity to get his career on track with very little pressure, and this could get ridiculous.
Good Divisional Day
Any day the Dolphins win is a good day, but when the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots also lose, things go from good to great. Despite dropping their matchup against Josh Allen and Co., the Dolphins currently sit atop the AFC East.
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