The Miami Dolphins hosted the Detroit Lions in week 5 and both teams have struggled to this point in the season. Both teams came into the game with a 1-3 record and were coming off of tough losses the week prior. The Detroit Lions were demoralized by the red hot Philadelphia Eagles and the Miami Dolphins were defeated by more than three scores at home by the Kansas City Chiefs. The Miami Dolphins brought in veteran quarterback Russell Wilson in hopes that he will be able to turnaround their 1-3 season. Russell Wilson offers their offense more mobility and accuracy but will also give the Dolphins a veteran presence late in games and more stability in the red zone. The ability to score in the red zone has been one of the biggest opportunities so far this season. It was another rainy-filled afternoon and the Detroit Lions started the game on offense.
The Detroit Lions were able to drive the length of the field but the Dolphins were able to hold them to a field goal attempt on the 17 yard line. The Detroit Lions missed the kick wide to the right and the momentum swung in favor of the Dolphins. Russell Wilson was able to hookup with Jaylen Waddle on a deep pass to the right side of the field, but after getting to the goaline, the Dolphins were unable to punch the ball into the endzone. They settled for three, but it wasn’t until after the second half when both teams started lighting up the scoreboard. The defense of the Dolphins stepped up throughout the first half and it wasn’t until the remaining moments when the Detroit Lions scored a touchdown to take a 7-3 heading into halftime. The first drive for the Dolphins was bogged down when Russel Wilson was sacked and the Dolphins were facing a 2nd and 19. They ultimately had to punt the ball back to the Seahawks who would then go to score another touchdown and take a 14-3 lead. We fast forward to the fourth quarter when Salvon Ahmed was able to punch in a touchdown on the ground and the Dolphins were facing a 17-15 deficit. The Dolphins had to go for two and Coach Fallen designed a play to attack underneath and the flats. The play call worked to perfection and Russell Willson found Eric Ebron coming out of the backfield on a route towards the flats and Ebron walked in untouched. Baker Mayfield struggled the entire game, his passing windows were there, but he was making the wrong reads. He was able to drive the offense to the Dolphins side of the field, but on an all out blitz, he threw the ball over the middle and it was intercepted by rookie safety Juanyeh Thomas for a pick 6. The Dolphins played over the top defense, but it wasn’t enough because Baker was able to find Ty Johnson on a route to the right side of the field that was run like a wide receiver. This touchdown sent the game into overtime.
Juanyeh Thomas was able to intercept another pass from Baker Mayfield and Russell Wilson was able to lead his team to the goalline where Jason Sanders, despite being iced kicked the game winning field goal. The Miami Dolphins were able to pick up their second win of the season and coincidentally both wins came in overtime.
Offensive Statline of the Game –
Salvon Ahmed – 18 carries for 64 yards and 1 touchdown. 8 receptions for 117 yards.
Salvon Ahmed had his best game of the season running the ball. The threat of Russell Wilson also running the ball opened up running lanes he hadn’t seen all season long. Ahmed was at his best when catching the ball out of the backfield. Ahmed leads the team in receptions and was awarded with superstar development. Ahmed was given the ‘balance beam’ ability and that will enhance his ability to stay on his feet during runs. Ahmed had the ‘return man’ ability last season but dev regression took that away. Salvon Ahmed has been the biggest weapon for the Dolphins and he doesn’t get subbed out of the game often. Last season, Salvon Ahmed was forced to sit a few games in order to stay healthy for the last leg of the season. The Dolphins want to keep their superstar back fresh and use Myles Gaskins in short situations more often.
Defensive Statline of the Game –
Juanyeh Thomas – 5 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 1 touchdown.
The Miami Dolphins selected Thomas in the fourth round and there’s no way that could have predicted this kind of prediction out of him. Juanyeh Thomas single handedly took over this game and was the sole reason that the Miami Dolphins were able to win. All of his interceptions came when the Detroit Lions were driving down the field. He was able to take points away from the Lions and turn around and score points for the Dolphins.
The Miami Dolphins looked a little shaky on offense in this game. We expected their offense to look a little more explosive, but it was the opposite. Their play calling was focused on the short passing game and they hardly took deep shots down the field except on 3rd and long. Russell Wilson was efficient and completed 76% of his passes. He completed 19 of 25 passes for 273 yards. He threw 1 touchdown, 1 interception, and had a passer rating of 107.5. The Miami Dolphins are expected to shake up their offensive game plan heading into next week’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. The San Francisco 49ers have made strides to build one of the best front sevens in the league, but their defensive backs could use some work. The shaky offensive line of the Dolphins will have to hold up in order for the receivers to have time to get open. The Dolphins have the opportunity to build on their win against the Lions and if they have any hope at a playoff run, they will have to string together a group of wins to make up for their three game losing streak.
