Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Bye arrives at critical time
The Miami Dolphins suffered a blowout 31-12 loss to the Green Bay Packers, and lost three more players to injury in the process on Sunday.
However after 10 games, the Dolphins (5-5) are the only team with a .500 record in the AFC, which places them eighth in the conference and still very much in the playoff picture.
The Dolphins hope to work on a number of issues during their bye week, with their next game coming in Week 12 against the Colts in Indianapolis on Nov. 25.
Here is the South Florida Sun Sentinel’s report card, evaluating how the Dolphins performed against the Green Bay Packers in Sunday’s loss:
Brock Osweiler took accountability for the Dolphins offense failing to score a touchdown for the second straight game. While he helped the Dolphins move the football and get into the red zone on several occasions, he had a crucial turnover, failing to catch a shotgun snap and falling on the loose ball, on the first drive of the game. Other times the Dolphins reached striking distance, they had to settle for field goals. Osweiler was inaccurate in trying to help Miami do so, finishing 23 of 37 for 213 yards with an interception and a 66.6 passer rating.
The Dolphins were able to run behind Miami’s makeshift offensive line against a soft Packers defense, and should have had more opportunities early to further set the tone. Frank Gore’s 39-yard run on the second play from scrimmage — his longest run of the season — was exactly what the Dolphins needed to kick-start their offense on the road in Green Bay before Osweiler’s fumble. Still, Gore paced the offense early, with 13 carries for 90 yards, before the Packers began their rout in the second quarter. Kenyan Drake had five more carries than he had a week ago, but finished with just 8 rushes for 27 yards, mostly coming in the second half following his return to the game after being evaluated with a shoulder injury.
Outside of two sacks, the Dolphins defense gave Packers star quarterback Aaron Rodgers time to access his options in the pocket, and beat them with a pedestrian stat line, completing 19-of-28 passes for 199 yards with a 112.1 passer rating. He was effective against the Dolphins, who have given up chunk plays through the air this season. Rodgers connected on passes of 30, 25, 19 and 18 yards, threw his two touchdown passes to Davante Adams, and finished averaging 6.1 yards per pass in the game.
Packers running back Aaron Jones broke free for a 67-yard run, later scoring on a 2-yard carry to cap a three-play drive that gave Green Bay a 14-3 lead early in the second quarter with the Dolphins benching safety Reshad Jones as punishment for not re-entering himself in last week’s win over the New York Jets. Jones finished with two touchdowns and a career-high 145 yards rushing against the Dolphins, who ultimately gave up 7.8 yards per rush.
Despite the blowout loss, the Dolphins special teams play was admirable, keeping Miami in the game before the Packers ran away with it midway through the third quarter. Rookie kicker Jason Sanders made all four of his field goals, including a 47-yarder, to pace the Dolphins scoring. Former third-round pick Leonte Carroo recovered a fumble forced by A.J. Derby and Mike Hull, a blocked punt by Brandon Bolden, and had a 14-yard run to execute a fake punt to perfection. Longtime special teams coach Darren Rizzi had the best unit on the field against the Packers.
Playing without three starting offensive linemen, the Dolphins reached the red zone on three of their first four possessions of the game, but were unable to keep pace with field goals against the Packers offense. While coach Adam Gase’s play-calling put the Dolphins in position early, the decision to bench Jones for the first quarter as punishment for his episode a week ago put the Dolphins behind 14-3 before he entered the game. The porous Dolphins defense, which disappeared against the Jets last week, reappeared again like it did in losses to Detroit and Houston in recent weeks. The Dolphins will use their muchneeded bye week to try to get healthy and regroup, and formulate game plans for the rest of the season with hopes of contending for an AFC wild-card spot.
Carroo, who has spent most of the season on the practice squad, had the best game of his threeyear career against the Packers. Carroo had a fumble recovery, a blocked punt recovery and a 14-yard run on a fake punt conversion on special teams to be the Dolphins standout player of the game. Carroo also caught a 20-yard pass from Osweiler in the fourth quarter after Jakeem Grant (leg) and DeVante Parker (shoulder) suffered injuries and did not return. As a result of his performance, Carroo could see more opportunities in the passing game, along with his special teams duties, as injuries continue to decimate the Dolphins.
Not only has the Dolphins offense failed to score in two straight games, Osweiler hasn’t thrown a touchdown in three consecutive games. Osweiler may or may not be Miami’s starter after the bye if Ryan Tannehill ambitiously returns from his shoulder injury. But, however long Tannehill remains out, the Dolphins desperately need Osweiler to play better if they hope to push for a playoff berth. His passer rating has declined steadily since Miami’s overtime win over Chicago in Week 5.