DOLPHINS SHUT OUT JETS
Dolphins shut out NY, improve to .500 as Tua makes debut
The Dolphins have a shot tomake some noise in the AFC playoff race during the second half of the season. At 3-3, Miami only trails the Buffalo Bills, while the New England Patriots fell to 2-3 on Sunday and under .500 for the first time since 2002.
The first half of the Miami Dolphins season — give a take aweek or two because of an early bye nextweek— is now complete. Here’s the good news:
Starting quarter back Ryan Fitzpatrick threw three touchdowns and the Dolphins are .500 for the first time under coach Brian Flores after a 24-0 win over the New York Jets on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in front of 10,772 fans allowed inside with respect to COVID-19 restrictions.
Oh, the Dolphins are second place in the AFC East standings, too.
And, rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Miami’s top pick in the 2020 NFL draft last April, finally made his NFL debut. Tagovailoa entered his first NFL game with 2:27 left, shortly after the Dolphins defense secured its first shoutout of the season.
Tagovailoa’s first play was a handoff to running back Matt Brieda.
His first completion was a play-action pass to running back Patrick Laird for a 2-yard gain out of the end zone.
And Tagovailoa converted on third down with a 7-yard pass to Jakeem Grant before the game concluded one play later with a handoff.
“It wasn’t more so butterflies. It was excitement to get out there and see what plays[ offensive coordinator] Chan[ G ailey] would give me to run with the offense,” Tagovailoa said after his debut.
“Itwas really fun.”
So, the Dolphins— whohave abye in Week 7, and return to action in Week 8 at home against the Los Angeles Rams on Nov. 1— have an actual shot incredibly to make a lot of noise in the AFC playoff race during the second half of the season.
At 3-3, Miami only trails the Buffalo Bills (4-1), who play on Monday, while the New England Patriots fell to 2-3 on Sunday and under .500 for the first time since 2002. And there’s the last-place Jets.
And that’s incredible to think of for a Dolphins team that was shreddedtotheir bareboneswhen Floresbeganhis extensive rebuilding process with general manager Chris Grier in Miami a year ago.
“We had contributions from a lot of guys, and a lot of guys made plays,” said Flores, who improved to 8-14 as Dolphins coach.
“I’m proud of that effort, and that’s the focuswe need.”
Fitzpatrick threw a 4-yard pass to tight end Adam Shaheen in the first quarter, and touchdown passes to PrestonWilliams for 3 yards and tight end Durham Smythe for 4 yards in the second quarter.
Dolphins kicker Jason Sanders added a field goal in the third quarter, and the Dolphins defense kept the Jets out of the end zone in the finalminutes of the fourth quarter to ensure the shut out.
TheDolphins securedtheir first shutout win since 2014.
Fitzpatrick also had two interceptions in the contest, inwhichhe finished completing 18 of 27passes for 191 yards and a 93.3 rating.
The Dolphins’ defense shined against the only winless team in the NFL.
Dolphins defensive end Em manuel Ogbahl ed the charge with two sacks as Miami accounted for 10 quarterback hits, eight tackles for loss and an interception by corner back X avie nH ow a rd for his fourth of the season.
And the Jets, led by backup and former Super BowlMVP Joe Flacco, could not even convert a first down until 10:39 left in the game.
Sure, the Dolphins won, and wonbig against the lowlyJets, with their former coach Adam Gase in
danger of losing his job with New York.
But there’s still plenty of work for the Dolphins to improve on to reach lofty goals of AFC East and playoff contention.
Thatmay not include a full transition from Fitzpatrick to Tagovailoa
just yet.
But Dolphins fans can relish their first glimpse of their prized rookie, while enjoying the start of Miami’s 2020 season.
“It’s a good feeling for us, and I think we’re coming together as a team,” Fitzpatrick said.