Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Dolphins get break as Texans’ first-half touchdown negated
HOUSTON – The Miami Dolphins avoided a pivotal turnover shortly before halftime that could have been a dramatic swing in the momentum of Thursday night’s game against the Houston Texans.
Dolphins quarterback Brock Osweiler was nailed by blitzing Texans linebacker Josh Keyes while he was making a throw, dropping the football which safety Natrell Jamerson scooped up and ran into the end zone with less than a minute remaining in the first half.
The play looked like Osweiler fumbled the football, leading to a Texans touchdown, which would have gave Houston a commanding 21-10 lead.
Instead, the referees ruled Osweiler’s threw a forward pass, which was incomplete because it hit the NRG Stadium field, overturning the turnover and touchdown in the Dolphins favor.
The Dolphins offense could not capitalize with another chance on offense to end the first half, but were able to sneak into halftime down just, 14-10.
Drake continues to run hard: Dolphins running back Kenyan Drake has turned lessons learned from a crucial turnover earlier in the season into decisive games for the Miami offense in the past two weeks.
Drake scored on a 12-yard run for the Dolphins in the first quarter of Thursday’s game, helping Miami take a 7-0 lead.
The touchdown also marked the first time in Drake’s three seasons he has scored a touchdown in consecutive weeks.
Drake’s performance early was encouraging after he was on the wrong end of a play that could have resulted in a loss for the Dolphins against the Chicago Bears in Week 6.
Drake fumbled a handoff from the 1-yard line that could have given Miami a win in overtime, but former Dolphins kicker Cody Parkey missed the potential gamewinning field goal. Parker’s miss set the stage for Dolphins rookie kicker Jason Sanders to win the game, and redeem Drake for his turnover. Drake began his third straight game on the sideline behind starter Frank Gore, but still plays a prominent role in coach Adam Gase’s offense.
Defensive line numbers dwindling: Dolphins defensive tackle Vincent Taylor suffered a foot injury in the first half and didn’t return to the game.
Taylor’s injury is a blow to the Dolphins’ defensive line, which is limited in numbers at both tackle and defensive end positions due to injuries.
The Dolphins entered the Texans game with just four defensive ends, including three playing after suffering injuries earlier this season.
Defensive ends Cameron Wake (knee) played in his second straight game after missing two games, while Andre Branch (knee) has played in three straight games since missing two games. Jonathan Woodard also returned after sitting out last Sunday’s game against the Detroit Lions with a concussion. At defensive tackle, only Davon Godchaux, Akeem Spence and Jamiyus Pittman remain without Taylor.
The Dolphins listed Cameron Malveaux, a Houston native who lined up at both tackle and end, inactive for the game.
Defensive end Charles Harris, a former first round pick, was also ruled out with a calf injury, missing his third straight game.
Ballage’s role expands: Running back Kalen Ballage continues to see his role with the Dolphins expanded during his rookie season.
Ballage lined up in a wildcat formation, and took a snap 5 yards for a first down during the first quarter against the Texans.
Ballage, along with fellow running back Senorise Perry, became a kick returner for the Dolphins on special teams with Miami needing primary returner Jakeem Grant to boast depth at the receiver position.
Ballage opened the game with a 19-yard return to the 23-yard line, but it was pulled back five yards due to a Dolphins illegal formation penalty.
The Texans wanted to kick the football again, and kicked it into the end zone for a touchdown, but were called for a penalty giving Miami better field position, at the 30 instead of the 18-yard line.
Gesicki provides receiving target: The injury-plagued Dolphins had their best receiving tight end available for the Texans game in rookie Mike Gesicki, who was active despite injuring his shoulder against the Lions.
Along with Harris and Malveaux, Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill, receiver Kenny Stills, tight end A.J. Derby, cornerback Torry McTyer, and offensive tackle Sam Young were also inactive for the Dolphins.