MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — In the times immediately after the AFC East-leading Miami Dolphins blew a late 14-level lead to the Tennessee Titans, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa shook his head at the believed of the past.
Just last yr, the Dolphins misplaced five straight December games during a stretch that nearly knocked them out of the playoffs and was reminiscent of collapses of decades past.
Despite Miami’s lackluster offensive overall performance and head-scratching fourth-quarter undoing, Tagovailoa does not think Monday’s 28-27 household loss to the Titans has any correlation to past years.
“I do not consider this is the very same Dolphins team that anyone thinks about,” Tagovailoa explained. “We’ve obtained a great deal of definitely excellent players. We have got seriously good coaches. It’s 1 household reduction this 12 months. It’s not like the planet finishes because we missing this game.”
Miami had a possibility to come to be just the next AFC workforce (Baltimore) to arrive at 10 wins on the time and pad its guide atop the AFC East, but as a substitute was knocked out of the top place in the AFC following enabling Will Levis and the Titans to rating 2 times in the ultimate three minutes Monday to pull off the upset.
How the Dolphins (9-4) answer to their worst loss of their time will be vital. After they host the New York Jets (5-8) Sunday, the Dolphins’ schedule toughens considerably with a residence match from Dallas, a journey to Baltimore and a rematch versus the Buffalo Payments — whom they lost to in 7 days 4 — in their normal-season finale.
“If this is what we needed to get into this playoff race and December football then that’s what we need,” claimed fullback Alec Ingold. “You consider this one as a person and appear in the mirror and go back and make improvements to. You take this stinging experience, this gut punch as a finding out lesson that you can’t leave performs out there.”
The Dolphins still largely management their fate the rest of the year — they’ll clinch the AFC’s leading seed and residence-field advantage in the playoffs if they earn the remaining four game titles on their schedule.
They’ll most likely have to have to get additional nutritious to do that. Looming about Monday’s sport was the wellbeing of star receiver Tyreek Hill, who played just 34 snaps simply because of an ankle damage experienced in the to start with quarter.
Hill said following the sport that he was attempting to take care of the discomfort in his left ankle as he was in and out most of the 2nd 50 %, but he couldn’t cut and change directions as he generally would.
As for his position going forward, Hill stated he generally expects to be accessible to participate in.
“That’s never ever a concern in my head,” Hill mentioned. “That’s by no means some thing that I would be pondering about. But if the trainers occur to me, if they see a thing in the scans when I get these scans, they say, ‘hey, Reek, you can sit out,’ I do it. But me remaining me, I don’t want to sit out. I want to be capable to assist this group any way I can, and that is just who I am. I just do not want to miss any online games.”
What’s Doing the job
With its passing offense faltering, Miami rushed for 158 yards, led by Raheem Mostert, who experienced 96 yards on 21 carries. Mostert has an NFL-greatest 16 hurrying touchdowns this time.
WHAT Requires Enable
The Dolphins were being 2 of 5 in the purple zone and misplaced a fumble at the Titans 2 on a negative quarterback-centre trade on their to start with possession. Connor Williams, Miami’s starting centre, went down with a knee injuries in the first quarter and did not return. His alternative, Liam Eichenberg, was in on the terrible snap and also experienced two penalties recognized in opposition to him.
Stock UP
The functioning backs. Mostert had rushing scores of 3 and 5 yards that put the Dolphins forward by two touchdowns in the fourth. Rookie De’Von Achane averaged 6.7 yards on 7 carries for 47 yards.
Inventory DOWN
The defense. Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio is not recognized to blitz a whole lot, but Titans rookie Will Levis was scarcely pressured as he led two landing drives in the remaining minutes. Miami also experienced only 1 sack in the match just after finding at least two in every single of their previous 10 video games.
The Dolphins ended up also actively playing with numerous backups in their secondary because of injuries to their starters. Safety Jevon Holland missed his next straight sport with a knee injuries. Miami’s other setting up basic safety DeShon Elliott skipped a big chunk of the second 50 percent because of an damage. Equally backup safeties Brandon Jones and Elijah Campbell had been in on the Titans’ two late scoring drives.
Injuries
Mentor Mike McDaniel said Tuesday that Williams sustained a period-ending ACL injuries towards the Titans. … Hill is day to day with his ankle personal injury. … Elliott is in the NFL’s concussion protocol following reporting symptoms.
Essential Variety
1,542 — Hill’s 61 yards obtaining Monday gave him 1,542 for the season, which continue to puts him on tempo for the 1st at any time 2,000-garden obtaining period.
Upcoming Steps
The Dolphins defeat the New York Jets on the highway in 7 days 12 and will confront them all over again Sunday.
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