The Miami Dolphins loss their first home game of the season to the Detroit Lions. Miami is still 2ndin the AFC East behind the 5-2 New England Patriots. Miami has a short week heading into a Thursday night game at the Houston Texans.
Miami’s Offense
The Dolphins offense performed mediocre not putting the Dolphins in position to win the game. Quarterback Brock Osweiler went 22/31 for 239 yards, 2 touchdowns, and no turnovers but got sacked 4 times. Leading rusher was Kenyan Drake with 6 carries for 72 yards and a 54-yard touchdown run, Frank Gore following with 10 carries for 29 yards. Leading Receivers are Danny Amendola with 6 receptions for 84 yards and a touchdown, following is Mike Geisicki who had 3 receptions for 44 yards. Albert Wilson had 3 receptions for 32 yards, he left the game early in the second quarter with a waist injury. His return to the field this season is unknown at this moment. The team only had 3 scoring drives and was not acceptable to come out victorious in this one with Detroit only punting the ball once the entire game.
Miami’s Defense
The Dolphins defense did not have a good game this Sunday. They allowed the Lions to score on all but one possession. Matthew Stafford threw 18/22 217 yards and 2 touchdowns both to tight end Michael Roberts. Miami could not stop Detroit’s running game or mainly Kerryon Johnson to be more exact. He finished the game with 19 carries for 158 yards and 71-yard run being his longest. Miami failed to do that and that killed them while it allowed Detroit to run out the clock and score points on all but one possession.
Miami’s Special Teams
Kicker Jason Sanders went 3 for 3 on extra points and 0 for 1 on field goals missing the field goal that could have put Miami within one possession with a minute left in the game. Jakeem Grant had 3 kickoff returns for 74 yards and 1 punt return for 19 yards. Matt Haack had 4 punts totaling 182 yards 2 of them being in the 20-yard line.
Looking Forward
The Miami Dolphins will be on the road this short week for them facing the Houston Texans. Houston came off a great defensive game against the Jacksonville Jaguars winning 20-7 and forcing 3 turnovers. Miami’s offense are facing a tough defensive team with Houston having J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and secondary players Tryann Matheiu and Johnathan Joseph.
Keys to Victory
Miami’s key to victory at the Houston Texans is to run the ball even if it is not working, allowing the game to slow down and kill some clock. With Houston’s dominant pass rush Miami will need to provide a clean pocket for Brock Osweiler thus allowing him to get the ball out to our play makers. With Devante Parker out it seems he is due to be traded soon and that will hurt Miami this game with so many injuries to our receiving core. Stopping Deshawn Watsons from escaping the pocket and running for 1stdowns is key, Miami cannot afford to let him do this because it can change the game tremendously. Leading to my last point which is forcing turnovers that has been key in all of Miami’s wins, they need to get them any which way they can
Injuries
Ryan Tannehill is out with a shoulder injury. Johnathan Woodard is out with a concussion. Albert Wilson is out with a hip/leg injury. Kenny Stills is out with a groin injury. Aj Derby is out with a foot injury expect him to possibly come back week 9 against the jets. Devante Parker and Charles Harris are listed as out.
Final Score Prediction
Miami 24-21 Houston
