Dolphins match franchise mark by allowing 9 sacks to Vikings
MINNEAPOLIS — Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, battling shoulder and ankle injuries and playing on a surgically repaired knee, endured hit after hit during Sunday’s blowout loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
In all, Tannehill was hit 11 times, including nine sacks during Miami’s 41-17 loss at U.S. Bank Stadium that significantly hinders the Dolphins’ playoff hopes this season.
The Dolphins fell to 7-7 after their sixth loss on the road this season, and well behind the Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans, who each improved to 8-6 after victories Sunday.
“We can all play better, but it is disappointing,” Tannehill said, after completing just 11-of-24 passes for 108 yards without a touchdown or a turnover.
“We come out and have a big opportunity on the road. We came in confident that we were going to play well, and then things quickly unraveled. It is frustrating and I cannot put my finger exactly on what happened and what could have prevented it or slowed it.
“It is a disappointment.”
The Dolphins fell behind, 21-0, after their defense was carved up after touchdowns by Vikings running backs Dalvin Cook and Latavius Murray, and quarterback Kirk Cousins’ touchdown pass to receiver Stefon Diggs on the first drive of the game.
The Dolphins used a 50-yard, pick-six by rookie defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 75-yard touchdown run by rookie running back Kalen Ballage to trim the deficit to, 21-17, at the beginning of the second half.
But the Dolphins were unable to get into a rhythm offensively as the Vikings wreaked havoc, led by two sacks each from linebacker Anthony Barr and defensive end Danielle Hunter.
“Whipping our a--, that’s what they did,” Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake said.
The Dolphins won their first road game of the season against the New York Jets, but have now lost six straight road games. Their record is boasted by a 6-1 clip at Hard Rock Stadium this season.
The Dolphins have won only two road games in the past two seasons, and only six in Dolphins coach Adam Gase’s tenure.
“You have to win close games if you want to be a good team and a playoff team,” Dolphins left guard Ted Larsen said.
“We’ve won close games at home, but on the road, it’s been tough and they’ve gotten away from it. The good teams will win those games. We have to figure out how to get better.”
Minnesota’s nine sacks are tied for the most by a Dolphins opponent in team history. It happened twice before Sunday’s game. Yet, it wasn’t even the highest sack total for the season for the Vikings, who sacked Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford 10 times last month.
Tannehill was sacked once on first down, four times on second down, twice on third down, and twice more on fourth down when the game was out of reach.
“They attacked us and they got home,” Dolphins left tackle Laremy Tunsil said. “They sent a lot of blitzes we probably weren’t prepared for. We knew it was coming, but every third down there was a blitz or a twist.
“We have to watch film and prepare for the next game. And not give up nine sacks again.”
Added Dolphins coach Adam Gase: “We knew what we were in for as far as the pass rush. They just beat us.”
The Dolphins have two games remaining — at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 23, and at Buffalo against the Bills on Dec. 30 — to salvage their slim chances to make the playoffs this season.
“It is out of our hands right now,” Tannehill said of Miami’s playoff hopes. “We do not have any control in this situation. We are going to need a lot of help.”