The Miami Dolphins were outplayed, outcoached, and outmatched on Sunday as the Cleveland Browns dominated the entire Week 7 matchup. Miami never was in the game, with the Browns repeatedly punching the Dolphins in the face. It was yet another embarrassing performance from the Dolphins in every aspect of the game.
It was so lopsided, rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers replaced starter Tua Tagovailoa for the final half of the fourth quarter. Tagovailoa ended the game 12-for-23 for 100 yards with three interceptions.
The Dolphins never looked like a professional team that takes pride in their performance. They stepped on the field and had already lost.
Final Score
Dolphins 6 – 31 Browns
Recap and Reactions
First Quarter
Browns first possession
Cleveland won the toss and elected to receive. Rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel started the drive with a six yard scramble, but two straight runs on second and third down only picked up one additional yard and the Browns punted on the third-and-out possession.
Good defensive start. The Browns are trying to establish their running game on a wet field with the rain expected to fall throughout the game and with wind an anticipated factor throughout the day. Miami’s defense has struggled against the run, but they at least stood up to it on the first drive.
Dolphins first possession
Like the Browns, Miami looked to establish the run early with running back De’Von Achane picking up four yards on each of the first two plays before quarterback Tua Tagovailoa dropped a pass into wide receiver Malik Washington for 14 yards. After an incomplete pass on a deep attempt from Tagovailoa – with no apparent receiver near the ball – the Dolphins lost five yards when Tagovailoa threw a lateral to Achane, but the running back could not catch it and had to fall on the loose ball. A screen pass to Washington lost a yard and Miami was forced to punt.
Miami head coach Mike McDaniel loves him some screen passes. A wet, rainy game and the Dolphins ran just on the first two plays. Not sure what happened on the deep pass attempt – obviously someone was confused on the call or someone slipped.
Browns second possession
Miami forced the Browns into a 3rd-and-14, potentially leading to another three-and-out, but an illegal contact penalty on the Dolphins gave Cleveland a free first down. After wide receiver Jerry Jeudy was able to pick up 16 yards a couple of plays later, a roughing the passer penalty on Miami provided an additional 15 yards and another free first down for Cleveland. Running back Quinshon Judkins handled the next three plays for the Browns, picking up 23 yards on three carries before Miami’s defense stepped up to shut down the drive, forcing a Cleveland field goal.
Penalties are the story of that possession. The roughing the passer penalty looked like Zach Sieler was trying to get his hands up to stop a pass attempt, then hit Gabriel in the helmet – he realized it and did not drive through the quarterback, but the hit to the head was enough to draw the flag. The Browns do not look like they are in any sort of rhythm, and Miami cannot be giving them free yardage and downs.
Browns 3-0.
Dolphins second possession
Miami opened their drive with a 46-yard run from Achane, with rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea clearing the path through the line of scrimmage. Tagovailoa then threw a pass to a sliding wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, picking up 15 yards. After rookie running back Ollie Gordon II lost a yard on first down, Miami let the clock run out on the first quarter.
Second Quarter
Dolphins second possession (continued)
Achane picked up two yards after the break, setting up 3rd-and-9. Tagovailoa threw to Washington at the stick, but the ball fell incomplete and Miami settled for a 33-yard field goal.
Not the result that a drive including a 46-yard run should have, but at least the Dolphins answered the Browns’ field goal. Could the game finally be slowing down for Savaiinaea, with the rookie starting to feel comfortable and playing up to his potential? That would be great news for Miami for the rest of the year and moving forward. The Dolphins need more out of their drives than just a field goal.
Tied 3-3.
Browns third possession
Miami’s tackling issues re-emerged on Cleveland’s third drive, with a short pass from Gabriel to wide receiver Malachi Corley turning into a 17-yard run through the middle of the Miami defense. Two plays later, the Dolphins appeared to intercept a Gabriel pass, with safety Ashtyn Davis diving for the ball, but a late defensive pass interference flag on safety Minkah Fitzpatrick negated the play and Judkins took the next handoff 46 yards for the touchdown.
Miami has to figure out how to tackle – but that penalty was crap. Browns tight end Harold Fannin, Jr., was pushing off Fitzpatrick, with the ball thrown over his head, and there was no way that should have been a flag. Horrible call by the referees.
Browns 10-3.
Browns fourth possession
Dolphins wide receiver Dee Eskridge fumbled as he returned the kickoff, giving the Browns the ball at the Miami 46-yard line. Two Judkins runs gained two yards, then lost one yard, before a dump-off pass to Fannin turned into a 12-yard gain and a Cleveland first down. After an incomplete pass, a low snap to Gabriel was fielded and handed off to Judkins for a five-yard run – with Miami linebacker Jaelan Phillips flagged for unnecessary roughness as he hit Gabriel not realizing the passer had handed off the ball. Two plays later, the Browns scored on a wildcat snap to Judkins, who almost lost the ball on a pump fake before running up the middle for the touchdown.
Rough to have Eskridge fumble, but it was a great play by safety Grant Delpit to punch the ball loose. Another penalty on the Miami defense. That one was excusable since Gabriel looked like he still had the ball with his back to Phillips, but it was another flag on Miami either way. Free first downs. Free yardage. That is going to kill Miami. And if the penalties are not the end of Miami’s chances in this game, it is going to be the missed tackles. The team is much more interested in making the big hit tackle than in wrapping up and making sure they bring down the ball carrier. Just a miserable start to this game – much like the miserable start to the year.
Browns 17-3.
Dolphins third possession
Washington returned the ball 40 yards to the 47 for Miami, giving the team a good start to the drive, only to have a false start on tight end Darren Waller back the Dolphins up five yards. Two plays later, Miami faced a 3rd-and-13, with an incomplete pass negated by a Browns illegal contact penalty, giving the Dolphins a free first down. After a three-yard loss on an Achane run and a Tagovailoa incomplete pass, the Dolphins faced their second 3rd-and-13 in five plays, with an incomplete pass leading to a punt.
What is this team doing? They get a great return, and they manage to lose one yard and punt despite running five plays. This is just miserable to watch. This team looks like they are barely going through the motions.
Browns fifth possession
The Browns started at their 10-yard line after the punt, losing two yards on a Judkins run on first down. Judkins picked up no yards on second down, with Miami calling timeout after the play. Gabriel was sacked on 3rd-and-12, just outside the endzone to avoid the safety. Cleveland punted on the three-and-out.
I’m still not sure how there was not a holding penalty to create a safety as linebacker Chop Robinson was clearly held, but the referees called the flag an “illegal hands to the face” penalty, although no one had a hand in their face. No free two points for Miami, but they will have good field position and a chance to double up before and after halftime.
Dolphins fourth possession
After a false start penalty to back Miami to the Browns’ 45-yard line on the first play of the drive, Tagovailoa was sacked. On 2nd-and-21, Achane worked his way down the field for a 23-yard gain and a Dolphins’ first down. After the two-minute warning, Achane picked up four yards before Miami took a shot to the endzone but wide receiver Jaylen Waddle could not come up with the pass. Cleveland blitzed and Tagovailoa was forced to quickly throw the ball toward Gordon, but it fell incomplete. The field goal attempt from Miami hit the upright, but a penalty on the Browns gave Miami first down. A bad shotgun snap that Tagovailoa had to just fall on, a pass for seven yards, and a Tagovalioa scramble for six yards, led to another field goal attempt, this time with Riley Patterson making it.
Of course Miami started in great field position and immediately gave some of it back with a penalty. What else would have happened? Achane really is the entire Miami offense at this point. He is the only player who seems to be effective in any way. Getting the field goal to end the half was good – but again, Miami needs to put touchdowns on the board, not field goals. This is painful.
Browns 17-6.
Halftime Thoughts
What is wrong with this team? This is just ugly at this point. They do not look like they have any passion, they do not have any idea how to fix the problems, and they cannot adjust to anything their opponents do, week after week. The players should be embarrassed about putting film like this out there. Even if Miami blows it all up and starts over next year, this film will follow the players. Act like professionals and do the simple things.
Like tackling. How do defensive football players not know how to tackle? I guess they know how to, they just choose to not do it? Way too many players trying to make the big hit and now just fundamentally stop the offense.
This team is playing miserable football, and asking fans to continue to support them. There is a reason why only three percent of the fans say the Dolphins are headed in the right direction – and it is only going to get worse after this game.
Third Quarter
Dolphins fifth possession
Tagovailoa looked to Achane on the first play, overthrowing the running back and the Browns picked it off, returning it for a touchdown.
Shrug. At this point, that seems like the right reaction.
Browns 24-6.
Dolphins sixth possession
Miami ran for no yards on first down, lost two yards on yet another pass behind the line of scrimmage, then lost seven yards on a sack. They punted on a three-and-out possession, with an unnecessary roughness penalty added on to the end of the kick for the Browns.
The Dolphins are completely lost. That is all that can be taken away from this. Other than Achane, no one is doing anything.
Browns sixth possession
The Browns stop themselves on a three-and-out drive as, on 3rd-and-8, Gabriel found tight end Blake Whiteheart crossing the field, with a path to the first down open, but the tight end fumbled and had to fall on the ball. The Browns punted.
I am not sure Miami actually did anything on that drive to constitute a reaction. The Dolphins simply were on the field and the Browns made a mistake.
Dolphins seventh possession
Gordon started the Miami possession with an eight-yard run, with Tagovailoa then throwing to tight end Julian Hill for a one-yard gain on second down. Gordon was stopped for no gain on third down, leading to Miami going for it on 4th-and-1. Gordon was stopped near the first down marker, but Hill hit him to make him fall forward and convert the first down. Two plays later, Achane took a bubble screen 16 yards to keep the ball moving for Miami. Another two plays later, Tagovailoa looked downfield to connect with tight end Tanner Conner for 28 yards. The drive stalled after that, however, with Miami turning the ball over on downs when Washington picked up seven yards on a reception, needing eight for the first down.
The Dolphins were deliberate and effective on the drive, eating up clock and keeping possession. Of course, they are down 18 points and need to score quickly to get multiple possessions, but whatever. And of course a perfect pass and catch is somehow still a yard short of the first down marker. Washington was hurt on the play, getting smacked in the back by Delpit as soon as he caught the pass.
Browns seventh possession
Cleveland slowed down the game, looking to run clock, on their possession, methodically picking up a first down on 3rd-and-1, then gained 23 yards three plays later on 3rd-and-6, running out the clock on the third quarter.
Fourth Quarter
Browns seventh possession (continued)
A pass for no gain was followed by a holding penalty for the Browns, dropping them into a 2nd-and-20 at the Dolphins’ 45-yard line. Three plays later, the Browns were forced to punt.
Hey, the defense made a stop. Still not sure how much they are doing as compared to what the Browns are doing to stop themselves, but we should celebrate the good things, no matter how small, right?
Dolphins eighth possession
Miami, starting at their own five-yard line, ran three plays. The first featured Achane running for two yards. Then Achane was called for a false start. Then Achane gained nothing. Finally, Tagovailoa dropped back to pass, but no one picked up the rush from Delpit, leading to a panicked throw from the back of the endzone for Tagovailoa and the Browns picked off the pass.
Is this game over yet? How is there still 11 minutes remaining?
Browns eight possession
Wildcat touchdown for Judkins.
The Cleveland Browns are absolutely destroying the Miami Dolphins. Is this not the sign that everything needs to change for the Dolphins?
Browns 31-6.
Dolphins ninth possession
The Dolphins seemed to recognize they need to try throwing the ball finally, starting with an 11-yard pass from Tagovailoa to wide receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. On second down, Tagovailoa target Conner, but the Browns picked off the pass and ended the Miami possession.
Why not? Miami has simply been dominated all day.
Browns ninth possession
The Browns were held to a three-and-out for their possession.
Maybe Miami can do something. Probably not.
Dolphins tenth possession
Tagovailoa was benched coming into the tenth offensive drive for Miami, with rookie Quinn Ewers entering the game. An incomplete pass started the drive, with the rookie completing a pass for the first time on second down – a pass that fittingly was for a one-yard loss. He was forced to run on a fumbled snap on 3rd-and-11, picking up one yard before Miami was forced to punt.
Ewers made his debut and threw for minus one yard. That is the entire reaction.
Browns tenth possession
A 19-yard pass from Gabriel to Fannin highlight the drive for the Browns, but three plays later, linebacker Julian Phillips sacked Gabriel for a seven-yard loss and forced a punt.
Good for Phillips. At this point, is it worth celebrating?
Dolphins eleventh possession
Gordon picked up two yards to start the possession, then Ewers looked deep to Waddle, but threw behind the receiver and it fell incomplete. After a break due to an injury to Waddle, Ewers threw to Washington for four yards and, on 4th-and-4, to wide receiver Dee Eskridge for five yards and a first down.
Ewers threw deep down the sideline to Eskridge after the two-minute warning, picking up 40 yards. He then threw to Washington for six yards. After an incomplete pass, Miami was forced to use a timeout. Ewers was sacked on the play after the timeout, fumbling the ball, with tackle Larry Borom catching the loose ball to keep possession for Miami. After a delay of game penalty, Ewers was sacked for a 10yard loss on 4th-and-19.
This is ridiculous. Something has to change before next week. Period.
Browns eleventh possession
Cleveland knelt to kill the clock.
