Scooter & Hum: Day 950, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins-Vikings Game 6 Review

Despite nearly doubling up the visiting Vikings in first downs (23-11) and total yards (458 to 234) and dominating time of possession (35:29 to 24:31), Miami fell to Minnesota, 24-16, for its third straight loss. The Vikes were victorious by completely dominating field position and winning the vital third phase by soundly whipping the 'Fins on special teams.

In what was a deeply weird game, the second half began with six straight drives without either team earning a first down. The Dolphins were often their own worst enemy, committing 10 penalties (the Vikings were called for just two) and struggling on third downs, converting just four of 14 attempts. Miami even somehow failed to gain a single yard on a run on a fake punt.

While the 'Fins have been decimated by injury at arguably the three most important positions on the field -- quarterback, offensive tackle, and cornerback -- the story goes deeper. In the last three games, Miami has lost the turnover battle 7-0, converted just 10 of 35 third downs, committed twice as many penalties as its opponents (27 to 13), and allowed nine touchdowns in 12 opponent trips to the red zone.

On to the make-it-stop recap ...

Offense

While there were pockets of complete ineptitude offensively, the Dolphins did manage to rack up more than 450 offensive yards. However, the home team managed just 73 rushing yards on 20 carries, good for an average of 3.7 yards per carry. Teddy Bridgewater and Skylar Thompson combined to throw for 418 yards, but that was offset by six sacks. With teams trotting out more zone defenses, Miami is struggling to string together longer drives without the mistakes (penalties and turnovers) that have hamstrung the team of late.
Bridgewater came off the injured list in relief of Thompson and connected on 23 of 34 passes for 329 yards and two touchdowns. He was sacked five times, was picked twice, ran for 10 yards, and was called for grounding once. He was at his best in the fourth quarter, drilling 15 of 17 passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns, with a lone interception, on his way to an overall 80.5 grade from Pro Football Focus. Thompson (89.3 PFF grade) started and hit on seven of 13 attempts for 89 yards, but was sacked once and left with a finger injury after appearing to hit it on the helmet of an onrushing lineman.
At running back, Raheem Mostert struggled to replicate recent performances in his 48 snaps, running 14 times for for 49 yards and catching a single pass for a loss of a yard. With Myles Gaskin inactive after last week's brief appearance, Chase Edmonds was given another opportunity, managing two runs for three yards and hauling in two passes for 28 yards in his 31 snaps. In 26 snaps, Alec Ingold had a first-down conversion on his sole rush attempt for two yards, and he added two receptions for 10 yards, though he was flagged for offensive pass interference on a costly play to push his PFF grade down to 53.2.
Tyreek Hill was a flat-out monster, reeling in 12 catches for 177 yards, with a long of 28 on his 15 targets and strong after-the-catch running to earn a 91.2 PFF grade. A late 49-yarder boosted Jaylen Waddle's stats to see him finish with six grabs for 129 yards on 10 targets. However, he had a rocky game, with a late injury, one drop leading to a controversial interception, and a key fumble late in the game when Miami was driving to potentially take the lead. In 52 snaps, Trent Sherfield was the only other wideout with a catch, hauling in one of four targets for six yards and getting flagged for holding to earn a 53.9 grade from PFF. River Cracraft (73.2 PFF grade) had a nifty catch called back by penalty but was otherwise shut out in his 17 snaps. Free-agent afterthought Cedrick Wilson saw 15 snaps without a target, with further demoralization coming in the form of his 51.9 PFF grade.
With Durham Smythe inactive at tight end, Mike Gesicki got 50 snaps, taking advantage with six catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets for a 77.7 PFF grade. Hunter Long (43.8 PFF grade) got 21 snaps, but was only noticeable when missing blocks or knocking his own offensive tackle off balance to allow a sack. Tanner Conner got eight snaps and dropped another pass on his two targets without a reception.
The Dolphins' offensive line was just a complete trainwreck, with the group collectively allowing six sacks and 13 quarterback hits and drawing five flags. With Terron Armstead inactive, Greg Little was shifted to left tackle, with disastrous results -- as evidenced by allowing a 15.7% pressure rate on his way to a 1.5 PFF grade in pass protection (the lowest I've ever seen) and 63.8 mark in run blocking to earn a 25.1 PFF grade overall. At right tackle, Brandon Shell improved (60.7 PFF grade in pass protection and 70.5 in run blocking) and was whistled for ineligible man downfield at right tackle, while center Connor Williams was called for the same penalty and drew PFF grades of 59.4 in pass protection and 52.7 in run blocking. At guard, Robert Hunt was flagged for both false start and holding to earn a 71.1 PFF grade in pass blocking and 58.2 in run blocking, while Liam Eichenberg also drew a holding whistle on his way to a 56.3 PFF grade for pass protection and a team-best 76.1 grade in run blocking. The five starters played all 78 snaps, but with both starting tackles injured, the offensive front continued its disturbing regression.

Defense

Despite mounting injury concerns, this unit did its part against what can be a high-powered offense. Miami forced a stunning nine three-and-outs and held Minnesota to just 11 first downs and 234 total yards (4.7 yards per play). The 'Fins were at their best on third downs, limiting the Vikings to just two conversions in 12 attempts in those situations. However, the reality is that the Dolphins have not forced a turnover in three games and have been unable to find ways to change momentum.
At defensive end, Christian Wilkins played 49 snaps, racking up four tackles, two stops for losses and a roughing-the-passer call. Emmanuel Ogbah was more active with three tackles in 36 snaps and Zach Sieler earned a team-best 90.2 PFF grade to go with three tackles in his 38 snaps.
With John Jenkins inactive, Raekwon Davis played 40 at nose tackle, with mixed results. He delivered two tackles, a sack, a stop for loss, and a quarterback hit, but drew a PFF grade of just 43.1.
On the weak side, Melvin Ingram had maybe his worst game of the season, earning the lowest PFF grade on defense (27.9) after notching a single tackle in 24 snaps. Andrew Van Ginkel had two tackles in his 20 snaps, but his primary contributions are still coming on special teams.
At strongside linebacker, Jaelen Phillips had a strong performance, earning an 85.6 PFF grade with two tackles, half a sack, and three quarterback hits in 38 snaps. Trey Flowers got a single snap before suffering a foot injury that would later land him on IR, but he made the most of it, hitting the quarterback on a play that was called a safety against the Dolphins last week.
On the inside, linebacker Jerome Baker had his worst game, earning a 61.2 PFF grade after recording a single solo tackle in 52 snaps. Elandon Roberts picked up the slack, with seven tackles, 1.5 sacks, a stop for loss, and two quarterback hits in 39 snaps on his way to an 81.2 PFF grade. Rookie Channing Tindall earned two snaps and had a tackle, while Duke Riley had a single snap and Sam Eguavoen only saw action on special teams. Roberts's extensive usage as a blitzer was an interesting development for Miami.
Xavien Howard played all 52 snaps at cornerback, registering three solo stops and one pass breakup despite a shaky 50.9 PFF grade. Nik Needham played 13 snaps (with three solo stops) before suffering an Achilles injury that ended his season, so with Kader Kohou inactive, former first-rounder Noah Ighbinoghene was thrust into action. He responded in his 31 snaps, knocking away two passes despite a pass interference call. Justin Bethel had a good showing in his 13 snaps (one tackle and a pass breakup), but Keion Crossen earned a 45.9 PFF grade in his 12 snaps (two tackles).
At strong safety, Brandon Jones collected six tackles and a pass breakup in 48 snaps, earning an 81.1 PFF grade. Eric Rowe played only 11 snaps, but contributed three tackles and a 77.9 PFF grade.
As is his custom, Jevon Holland played all 52 snaps at free safety, registering five solo stops.

Special teams

Jason Sanders misfired badly on a 52-yarder, but he made a 44-yarder and his lone extra point. He also continued to display good depth on kickoffs, allowing no returns.
Thomas Morstead punted six times for a 51.2-yard average, with one touchback and a pair of punts downed inside the 20-yard line. However, he was overshadowed by his counterpart, Ryan Wright, who averaged 44.1 yards on 10 punts, putting six inside the 20-yard line and crushing a momentous 73-yarder on his way to NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honors.
Mostert had the only kickoff return of the game, bringing one back 25 yards.
Holland and Hill combined for just two yards on three punt returns, with Holland fumbling and Hill posting negative yardage for the second week in a row. To make matters worse, Clayton Fejedelem was stuffed on a fake punt attempt. The Vikings got a 25-yard punt return by Jalen Reagor on one of many plays that tilted field position in Minnesota's favor.
Bethel (28 snaps) and Van Ginkel (27) led the way on special teams, with Bethel making a nice play to down a punt at the 6-yard line and also making a strong tackle on a punt return.

Momentum plays

Miami got a quick three-and-out thanks to excellent coverage by "X" on a 3rd & 1 pass to Justin Jefferson. Holland fumbled the punt return, but Phillips made a big play to recover.
On the following drive, Thompson faced pressure on every throw, but avoided a blitz and ran for nine yards to convert a 3rd & 7. He hit Gesicki for 18 yards, but was buried for a sack by multiple Vikings after he didn't get time to throw a pump-and-go on 3rd & 9. Morstead's punt was downed nicely at Minnesota's 6-yard line.
The Dolphins forced another three-and-out when Flowers forced what could have been called a safety on a 3rd & 9 play that looked eerily similar to the sequence against the Jets that saw Bridgewater called for a safety while also being ruled out of the game. Wright's 73-yard punt -- coupled with Hill's return of -2 yards -- flipped the field in a massive way for the Vikings in a significant turn of events.
Miami followed with Thompson lofting a beautiful 30-yarder to Waddle, with Mostert following with a 16-yard run. A staggering and suspicious five penalties in seven plays ensued -- many of the very-late-flag variety -- to destroy a promising 'Fins drive and force a Morstead punt on 4th & 32.
A third consecutive three-and-out followed, but the Dolphins couldn't take advantage, answering with a three-and-out of their own when Thompson appeared to be hit late without a flag and suffered a hand injury.
The Miami defense delivered an amazing fourth straight three-and-out, and Bridgewater came in at quarterback to get the 'Fins moving. He hit G-Sick for 17 yards, then Ingold hammered ahead to convert a 3rd & 1. On the following 3rd & 2, Bridgewater tripped over Hunt, but got up and tried to run for it before taking a massive hit that you don't want to see any signal-caller take, much less one just coming out of concussion protocol. The Dolphins chose to take the field goal on 4th & 1, with Sanders converting a 44-yarder for the first score of the game.
The Vikings got their initial first down on an Adam Thielen catch that saw Needham suffer an injury that would later be diagnosed as a season-ending Achilles tear. First-down passes to Thielen (11 yards) and Jefferson (20 yards) followed, and on 3rd & 6, Jefferson was mind-numbingly left uncovered in what the announcers speculated was a blown coverage by Rowe. Holland saved a touchdown, but the 24-yard pass and ensuing roughing-the-passer call on Wilkins gave Minnesota a 1st & goal from the one, which they converted when Crossen was late picking up tight end Irv Smith for an easy score and a 7-3 Vikes lead.
A solid kick return by Mostert got better with a facemask penalty on Minnesota, giving Miami great field position at its own 47-yard line. Bridgewater was hit in the head without a call to start the next drive, but he salvaged a 3rd & 10 with a 19-yard strike to Hill. On 3rd & 10, Mostert was not looking on a pass from Bridgewater, forcing the 'Fins to settle for a 52-yard attempt by Sanders that missed wide right by a giant margin.
A Roberts sack keyed yet another Dolphins three-and-out, but instead of running out the clock with 28 seconds left in the half, Miami came out winging it. After hauling in a 14-yarder, Waddle dropped the next one, with the ball deflecting around before appearing to hit the ground. However, on what looked to be an egregiously bad call, the Vikings were awarded an interception. Minnesota used a pass interference on Ighbinoghene to set up a 34-yard field goal at the halftime buzzer to forge ahead, 10-3.
Miami began the second half with a four-and-out, faking a punt on 4th & 1, with Fejedelem unable to get even a yard on a play where he insisted on running laterally. The Vikings were unable to take advantage of starting on Miami's 34-yard line, however, as back-to-back stops for losses by Wilkins and good coverage on 3rd & 22 forced Minnesota to punt.
The Dolphins had another three-and-out that saw Bridgewater narrowly avoid a fumble on a third-down sack, but the defense rose up again, with a three-and-out of their own marked by a near-interception by Ighbinoghene.
Starting inside its own 15-yard line yet again, Miami got away with a few risky Bridgewater throws, going three-and-out once more. Morstead unleashed a 62-yarder, but a 25-yard return set up the Vikes inside Dolphins territory.
In case you're asking with anticipation, "What happened next?!", welp, you guessed it: another three-and-out. Minnesota's second-down play saw Sieler force a fumble that Jefferson outwrestled Wilkins for on a play that the 'Fins simply had to have. A Davis sack on 3rd & 10 led to another Vikings punt inside the 15-yard line after Minnesota was not whistled for obvious holding.
A disastrous four-and-out followed after an initial first down toss to Hill, with Bridgewater battered on three of his four passes on the drive. Another punt from Morstead of more than 60 yards helped balance the field-position game.
After an initial first down, the Vikings used a rub route to knock Howard off phase and allow Jefferson to bust loose for 47 yards as the third quarter ended. Two plays later, Kirk Cousins had all day to throw, eventually finding Thielen on a long-developing route to beat "X"in the back of the end zone. Minnesota missed the extra point, pushing the margin to 16-3.
Bridgewater connected on 13- and 28-yard passes to Hill to wake up the Dolphins offense, then found Gesicki for 13 more. A 10-yard scramble by Bridgewater was followed by a quick shot to G-Sick -- after a high snap -- to cap the drive and make the score 16-10.
On the next drive, the Vikes found Thielen on 3rd & 1, but Bethel made a big play to keep him short. Van Ginkel was held without a call on the punt, but Miami took over with a chance to cut into or take the lead.
Bridgewater found Hill for 23 yards, but was unable to connect with Gesicki on a deep ball that saw the tight end battle for the ball in the air in single coverage. After Edmonds got 14 yards on 3rd & 19, Bridgewater found Hill for a first down on 4th & 5. On a 2nd & 15 play, the quarterback again connected with Waddle, who coughed up the ball after the catch, giving the ball back to the Vikings on a devastating turnover.
Two plays later, Dalvin Cook took advantage of bad angles by Baker and Roberts, made Holland miss in the hole, shrugged off a Sieler tackle attempt, and outraced Howard, Ighbinoghene, and Brandon Jones for a 53-yard touchdown. When Bethel left Thielen uncovered in the back of the end zone on the two-point attempt, the Vikings forged ahead, 24-10.
Bridgewater found Hill for 14 yards to start the ensuing possession, but the signal-caller was baited by veteran Patrick Peterson on a pass intended for Sherfield, and Pat Pete gathered in an easy interception.
Three straight runs led to a Minnesota punt, and Miami countered quickly with a 49-yard pass to Waddle on a tunnel screen that saw him follow Williams all the way down the sideline. Unfortunately, Waddle was slammed down awkwardly on his shoulder at the end of the play and had to leave the game, but Bridgewater kept firing, finding Hill and Gesicki for 14 yards apiece. Three plays later, the quarterback rolled out to buy time, then found an uncovered G-Sick to pay off the drive. A pass into traffic intended for Gesicki on the two-point effort fell incomplete, making the score 24-16.
Sanders's ensuing onsides kick attempt was easily recovered by Minnesota, and two kneel-downs by the Vikings salted the game away for the visitors.