A ‘feeling’ that’s hard to SHAKE OFF
Dolphins squander double-digit lead to Colts, are left to salvage playoff hopes Sunday at home against Bills
DAVIE — Running back Frank Gore, a 14-year NFL veteran, has usually been a passive, easy going player in the Miami Dolphins locker room this season.
But Gore, a likely future Hall of Famer, was visibly upset after the Dolphins let a prime opportunity slip away in Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the Indianapolis Colts.
The Dolphins had a 10-point lead in the beginning of the fourth quarter, and the chance to steal a road win that would have greatly helped their hopes of making a push for an AFC wild-card playoff spot.
Instead, the Dolphins (5-6) dug themselves a deeper hole they hope to climb out of in this Sunday’s home game against the Buffalo Bills (4-7).
“I’m not a talkative guy, but I feel like if it’s the right time for something to be said, I’m going to say it,” Gore said Monday after he consulted some veteran leaders on this Dolphins team.
“The way we lost that game, and gave it away, I know we
should’ve won that game. That’s why it was so hard for me.”
To make matters worse, the Dolphins lost after squandering a double-digit lead for the second time this season. It was similar to the Dolphins’ Week 5 loss to the Bengals, in which Miami squandered a 17-point lead in Cincinnati.
Dolphins coach Adam Gase knows how badly those two games have affected his team’s chances of making the playoffs.
“You’re disappointed because you’ve got two games where you’re sitting there going well, 5-6 or you’re 7-4,” Gase said.
“So it’s a s----- feeling.” The Dolphins took a 24-14 lead over the Colts with 13:26 remaining in the fourth quarter after running back Kenyan Drake’s second touchdown, but were unable to fend off Indianapolis in the final stretch of the game.
After taking the doubledigit lead, the Dolphins ran six offensive plays and netted minus-1 yard.
The Dolphins called two run plays on third-and-10 in the final eight minutes of the fourth quarter.
Ryan Tannehill, in his first game back since suffering a capsule injury to his right throwing shoulder, threw three passes on the final two drives — two incomplete passes and a pass for no gain to receiver DeVante Parker.
“We did what we gameplanned to do. We did what was best for that situation,” Gase said.
“I’m probably more upset about the second-down call. I thought we’d catch them in a pressure to that side and they came from the opposite side. If I could have that one back, that probably could have made a difference.”
Gase also praised defensive coordinator Matt Burke and his team’s defense before the final stretch of the game where the defense was on the field for 24 plays, giving up 180 yards.
Colts tight end Eric Ebron broke free for his second touchdown of the game, while kicker Adam Vinatieri regrouped after an early miss to kick two field goals during that same stretch.
“It’s unfortunate we lost that game because I really thought there were a lot of guys that did a good job,” Gase said. “Everybody does the same thing and looks at the result. All the good things get forgotten about.”
The Colts game was similar to the Dolphins’ loss to the Bengals.
Left tackle Laremy Tunsil left the Cincinnati game due to a concussion in the second half, and Tannehill committed two turnovers that were returned for touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Tannehill also injured his right shoulder during the game, which may have altered the trajectory of Miami’s season after backup Brock Osweiler led the Dolphins to a 2-3 record in his absence.
Gase said Tannehill performed well in his first game back, despite the fact he threw only 10 passes in 26 plays after throwing a deep pass to receiver Leonte Carroo that resulted in a 74-yard touchdown late in the second quarter.
Now, the Dolphins are forced to salvage their playoff hopes with this Sunday’s game against the Bills at Hard Rock Stadium.
“For us to control our destiny, we have to win out,” Drake said. “It doesn’t really matter what anybody else is doing. It matters about what we’re doing. We have to focus on ourselves, our opponent and taking care of business each week.”