MIAMI GARDENS, Fla.: After Buffalo beat Miami practically a month in the past, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel mentioned it was a precious studying expertise that his younger workforce might use against tough competition later within the season.
McDaniel repeated these phrases after Sunday’s highway loss to the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles.
“I kind of knew that going into the game that it was going to be that type of atmosphere,” McDaniel mentioned, “and I think that’s very important for our team, being on the younger side, to experience. Those are critical. You have to feel what it’s like to play such a good team on the road.”
Miami might want to discover a option to win such video games in some unspecified time in the future this season if it needs to be a title contender.
The AFC East-leading Dolphins have performed two groups with successful data this season — the Eagles and the Bills — and have misplaced each video games by double digits.
They scored 20 and 17 factors against Buffalo and Philadelphia, respectively, which is effectively under their common of 34.3 factors per recreation. On Sunday, Miami recorded a season-low 244 complete yards after coming into the sport averaging practically 500.
Penalties negated first-down conversions. Tyreek Hill additionally had a pair of uncharacteristic drops, considered one of which might have been a landing if he’d held on.
“It’s tough when you come on the road against a really good team and you’re not able to execute the way you expected to execute,” quarterback Tua Tagovailoa mentioned. “But you have to give props to those guys and their coaching staff. They did a real good job in preparing for us. Some things went well for us, some things we’re just trying to figure out there. But overall we just have to get better.”
Tagovailoa was 23 of 32 for 216 yards and a landing. He was intercepted by Eagles cornerback Darius Slay on an underthrown cross to Raheem Mostert in the long run zone.
McDaniel mentioned it was the kind of loss that ought to damage.
“The collection of coaches and players in the locker room right now are hurting because they feel like they left some plays on the field for sure,” he mentioned. “You know, losses, if approached the right way, if you’re not pointing fingers and you’re looking internally, can be a good thing too. So that’s what we’ll be determined to make this moving forward, starting with tomorrow.”
WHAT’S WORKING
Hill’s capability to get open downfield stays Miami’s most potent offensive risk. Hill sprinted via a double workforce for a 27-yard landing catch earlier than halftime that reduce the deficit to seven factors.
Hill caught 11 passes for 88 yards — a quiet day by his requirements. He still led Miami’s receivers Sunday and leads the NFL in receiving yards (902), landing catches (seven) and catches of 40-plus yards (six).
WHAT NEEDS HELP
Penalties and miscommunication have stalled momentum too usually, particularly in each of Miami’s highway video games. Tagovailoa mentioned there have been communication points Sunday — one thing he additionally talked about after the loss to Buffalo.
“I have to communicate to the line,” Tagovailoa mentioned. “The cadence in a loud environment, you know, all of those things play a role in us going out there executing, especially with a loud environment.”
STOCK UP
The Linebackers. Jerome Baker returned an interception for a rating and led the Dolphins with 11 tackles. David Long Jr. was having his finest recreation of the season with 4 tackles earlier than he left to be evaluated for a concussion. Jaelan Phillips recorded a sack and two quarterback hits. Bradley Chubb pressured a fumble and had two sacks.
STOCK DOWN
The offensive line. Yes, there have been accidents, however the Dolphins struggled within the trenches against Philadelphia’s defensive entrance, very like they did against Buffalo’s. Miami rushed for a season-low 45 yards, and Tagovailoa was sacked 3 times.
INJURIES
LT Terron Armstead (knee) stays on injured reserve, C Connor Williams (groin) missed his third recreation, and LG Isaiah Wynn injured his quad within the first quarter Sunday. … CB Xavien Howard (groin) was inactive. … WR Jaylen Waddle performed simply 45% of snaps due to a again harm.
S Jevon Holland and Long collided helmets chasing Jalen Hurts within the third quarter. Both gamers remained on the bottom after the play however walked off underneath their very own energy to be evaluated for concussions. Holland was cleared to re-enter to the sport a number of performs later. Long didn’t return however was cleared after the sport. Holland was positioned within the concussion protocol Monday after reporting signs in his observe-up examination.
KEY NUMBER
10 — The variety of occasions Miami was penalized. Philadelphia had no accepted penalties.
NEXT STEPS
The Dolphins host division rival New England in Week 8 earlier than touring to Frankfurt, Germany, to face Super Bowl champion Kansas City.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
