After a full-on decimation of the Atlanta Falcons in week eight, the Miami Dolphins found themselves under the bright lights of Hard Rock Stadium in week nine to battle the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday Night Football.
That’s right… a dreaded primetime game.
And unfortunately, the Dolphins did what the Dolphins always seem to do on primetime — get embarrassed when the entire world is watching. More on that later. Miami lost to Baltimore by a score of 28-6, dropping their record to a dismal and disheartening 2-7.
As I sit here, late at night following this disappointment of a game, I ask myself, when will it end? When will the Dolphins give us a team worth rooting for — a team that can finally break the quarter-century long playoff win drought?
It certainly won’t be this year.
GOOD
Run game creativity continues until Ollie Gordon II injury
For the second straight game, the Miami Dolphins rolled out a jumbo package on the offensive line — running a 6th offensive lineman, Daniel Brunskill, into offensive formations in an attempt to gain an advantage in the ground game.
During the first half, it seemed to be working, as De’Von Achane gained 67 rushing yards on 12 carries. Malik Washington carried twice for 10 yards and Ollie Gordon II added six yards on two carries.
Unfortunately, Gordon II — Miami’s power back — injured his ankle at the end of the first half, hampering the Dolphins’ ability to move the rock on the ground. And with Miami chasing the scoreboard in the second half, the team was unable to continue their commitment to running the ball.
Mike McDaniel would be wise to continue utilizing Brunskill in jumbo formations moving forward this season.
BAD
Dolphins miscues continue “self-inflicted wounds” trend
During last week’s victory against the Atlanta Falcons, the Dolphins delivered a clean outing in all three phases of the game — offense, defense and special teams. Against the Ravens on Thursday Night Football, Miami reverted back to their habit of shooting themselves in the foot over and over until their opponent pulled away.
In the first half alone, wide receiver Tahj Washington fumbled on Miami’s second drive — giving the Ravens the ball deep in Dolphins territory which allowed Lamar Jackson to throw a short touchdown pass to give Baltimore the lead.
On Miami’s next drive, the team was driving deep into Baltimore’s end of the field before a pivotal 4th and 1 play that saw right tackle Larry Borom called for a false start. On the subsequent field goal attempt, kicker Riley Patterson missed a 35-yard attempt. Soon after, the Ravens would drive the length of the field, scoring on a 20-yard pass from Jackson to tight end Mark Andrews on a play where two Dolphins defenders ran into each other, falling down to allow Andrews to waltz into the endzone.
UGLY
Dolphins embarrass themselves in primetime again
The Dolphins got a Monday Night Football victory over the lowly New York Jets earlier in the season, but if you take a look at Miami’s record in primetime games since Mike McDaniel took over as the team’s head coach prior to the 2022 NFL season, it isn’t pretty.
In 2022, the Dolphins played in four primetime games — losing three and winning just one.
In 2023, the Dolphins played in four primetime games — losing three and winning just one.
In 2024, the Dolphins played in four primetime games — losing three and winning just one.
I’m sensing a pattern here.
Miami is 1-2 in nationally televised games this season. They have two more to go (three if you count their game against the Washington Commanders in Spain) — although the NFL will most certainly flex one or two of those games out of those primtime slots… mercifully.
___
Once again, the Miami Dolphins found themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard under the lights of a nationally televised game at night — dropping their record to an incredibly disappointing 2-7 in the process. It doesn’t get any easier for Miami next week, as the Buffalo Bills will line up against the boys in aqua and orange. We’ll see who really wants to be here by the effort displayed by the team in that one. How many more games do you realistically predict Miami to win through the rest of the season? Let me know in the comments below or on Twitter at @MBrave13. Fins up… sheesh.
