Scooter & Hum: Day 1,690, Quasi-Quarantine: Dolphins-Cardinals Game 7 Review

Amidst a lot of competing opinions and a press appearance that reflected poorly on him, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa returned to much fanfare, and the team seemed bolstered by his presence. The Dolphins put up an almost-unheard-of 27 points, was penalized just twice, and committed zero turnovers.

And still somehow lost.

Despite having a nine-point fourth-quarter lead at home, Miami fell by a point on a last-second field goal. It's a game you just can't lose. No way, no how.

On to the that-was-another-coffin-nail recap ...

Offense

The unit picked up 22 first downs and 377 total yards, going 11 of 15 on third down and turning three of four red-zone trips into touchdowns. The 'Fins rushed for 150 yards, averaging a stellar six yards per carry. The offense did not test Arizona deep (Tua averaged just 5.8 yards per pass), but this was a winning performance on this side of the ball.
Tua connected on 28 of 38 passes for 234 yards (just 72 after halftime) and a touchdown, taking a single sack and rushing three times for 13 yards, including a slide that produce a huge cheer from the home crowd. On the down side, he fumbled three times and turned one of those mishandles into a crucial safety that turned the contest in the Cardinals' favor. Coach Mike McDaniel seemed intent on ensuring Tua got rid of the ball quickly, with the signal-caller throwing the ball over 20 yards in the air just twice. Despite the ball-security issues, the offense overall was worlds more in sync with Tua at the helm.
At running back, DeVon Achane looked tremendous, carrying 10 times for 97 yards (with a long of 47) and snaring six of eight targets for 50 yards and a touchdown. He earned an 81.6 grade from Pro Football Focus for his 38 snaps, showing a much better ability to get yards after contact. Raheem Mostert toted the ball nine times for just 19 yards, but turned two of those attempts into touchdowns, adding an 11-yard grab (on two targets) in his 30 snaps. Rookie Jaylen Wright was an afterthought again, carrying twice for 18 yards in only three snaps. Fullback Alec Ingold contributed a three-yard run and caught all three targets for 19 yards in his 27 snaps, which featured strong blocking again in the run game. With so few snaps to go around, Miami would likely be wise to flip Jeff Wilson at the trade deadline as part of trying to find more snaps for Wright somewhere.
Perhaps no Dolphin was more excited to see Tua back under center than Tyreek Hill, who was targeted nine times, grabbing six for 72 yards in his 57 snaps. Jaylen Waddle snared four of six targets for 45 yards, but had another costly drop in his 56 snaps. Malik Washington (16 snaps) and Odell Beckham (11 snaps) were not targeted, leading to further questions about why Beckham is even on the roster. Reserve Dee Eskridge had a six-yard reception on his lone target in four snaps. Somehow, some way, Miami's No. 3 receiver spot remains catchless seven games into the campaign.
At tight end, Jonnu Smith saw his usage wane, as he reeled in four of six targets for 20 yards in 43 snaps. Julian Hill caught three balls for 11 yards, but fumbled into the end zone on one of his 21 snaps. Durham Smythe continued to see his reps decrease (to 19), though he remains a key blocker in the 'Fin running attack.
The line had three of the top five PFF scores on offense, with center Aaron Brewer (80.9), left guard Robert Jones (79.0), and left tackle Terron Armstead (75.1) leading the way. Right tackle Austin Jackson was called for a hold, but did join Jones in recovering fumbles. The front allowed just two pressures thanks to quick passing, and played a pivotal role in unlocking the ground game.

Defense

The Dolphins are tied for the third-fewest turnovers in the league (five) and second-fewest sacks (six) through seven games, and that inability to make momentum plays was on full display in this one. In addition to forcing no turnovers nor sacks, the unit allowed 22 first downs and 389 total yards (6.3 yards per play). The Cardinals converted seven of 13 third downs and turned three red-zone trips into two touchdowns. Quarterback Kyler Murray roasted the 'Fins to the tune of 307 passing yards and 19 more on the ground.
With Zach Sieler out due to a midweek eye injury, Calais Campbell had to play more, and he contributed five tackles, three solos, and a pass breakup in 43 snaps, good for a 77.8 PFF mark. Da'Shawn Hand got 55 snaps, contributing four tackles and three solos, and Benito Jones saw his playing time rise to 44 snaps (three assisted tackles). Brandon Pili added a solo tackle in his 17 snaps, while someone named Neal Farrell also played 11 snaps, but you'd only know this because his only stat was a defensive-holding flag. The lack of depth and talent was on full display with Sieler missing from the defensive front.
On the edge, the struggles continued despite the return of Emmanuel Ogbah (three tackles, two solos, a stop for a loss, and a pass breakup in 42 snaps). Tyus Bowser registered two solo stops in 42 snaps, while rookie Chop Robinson chipped in with one solo tackle, a stop for loss, three pressures, and three missed tackles in 36 snaps. Robinson is still looking for the first sack of his career, which is emblematic of the subpar play coming from this position group.
Stalwarts Jordyn Brooks (66 snaps) and David Long (64 snaps) continue to carry the load at inside linebacker, with Duke Riley coming in for just four snaps to spell the duo. Brooks posted nine tackles, five solos, and a quarterback hit, while Long recorded nine tackles and six solos, though he was noticeably caught out of his position on a few plays. The inability of youngster Channing Tyndall to develop is likely contributing to Brooks and Long playing entirely too many snaps while they are tired.
At cornerback, Kendall Fuller notched two solo stops and a pass breakup in 66 snaps, earning a 77.8 PFF grade. Jalen Ramsey racked up four tackles, three solos, and a pass breakup in his 66 snaps, but too often his frequent blitzes were ineffective, removing Miami's best pass defender from the play. Second-year man Cam Smith saw his first action of the campaign, making four solo tackles in 35 snaps, though he was targeted five times and gave up five receptions, 63 yards, and a touchdown. Reserve Siran Neal came on for two snaps.
In 66 snaps, Jordan Poyer racked up eight tackles, three solos, and a pass breakup, but for the second week in a row he could not reel in a potential pick. Marcus Maye struggled in his 49 snaps, contributing just an assisted tackle, while Jevon Holland was limited to 17 snaps, though he collected four solo stops. With the front applying very little pressure, the secondary had to cover for entirely too long, leading to predictable breakdowns.

Special teams

Jason Sanders drilled both field goals -- including a 53-yarder -- and all three extra points in a strong performance.
Jake Bailey punted just twice, averaging 46 yards with one touchback and one placement inside the 20-yard line.
In the first game without return man Braxton Berrios (season-ending knee injury), Eskridge contributed a 35-yard kickoff return, while Washington had punt returns of 19 and six yards.
Neal and Quinton Bell paced special-teamers with 21 snaps each, with Riley adding 20 snaps and Anthony Walker making a solo tackle in the third phase.

Momentum plays

Tua's return started quickly, with Achane rushing for 11 yards and the signal-caller finding Ingold for 16, but a sack and fumble ensued. Tua found Tyreek Hill for 21 yards on back-to-back passes to convert a 2nd & 17, and a Mostert third-down touchdown run pushed the Dolphins ahead, 7-0.
Miami forced a three-and-out, then reeled off another sustained drive, sparked by third-down conversions on passes to Smith and Eskridge. A Jackson holding call put the 'Fins behind the chains, and they eventually settled for a 53-yard Sanders field goal and a 10-0 lead.
The home team had a 22-3 play advantage at that point, but the Cards responded. Murray found rookie Marvin Harrison for gains of 25 and eight yards, then paid off the drive with a third-down touchdown toss on a play that saw the QB scramble for an extended period of time.
Another Smith third-down catch gave Miami a conversion, but the drive was stymied after that, with Bailey's 56-yard punt going into the end zone for a touchback.
Arizona put together an 11-yard drive, but it only covered 38 yards, leaving the Cardinals to pin Miami at its five-yard line with a nice punt.
Backed up on 3rd & 9, Tua delivered a 10-yard strike to Waddle to sustain the possession. He then found Hill for 30 more on a beautifully timed deep ball on 3rd & 2. Two plays later, the quarterback connected with Achane for 16 yards, but the the Dolphins disappointingly stalled out inside the 10-yard line, leading to a 25-yard field goal and a 13-7 halftime advantage after a half-hearted three-and-out by 'Zona.
The Cardinals jumpstarted the second half with a 37-yard connection to tight end Trey McBride -- who tormented Miami all day -- but ended up facing a 2nd & 30 after a tackle for loss and a penalty. Murray completed a pair of short passes that covered 15 yards, allowing Arizona to boot a 57-yard field goal to trim the margin to 13-10.
The 'Fins appeared to seize control on the next drive, powered by a 47-yard run by Achane that saw him churn through a number of tacklers. A 13-yard Tua scramble converted a 3rd & 9, and a beautifully executed screen to Achane covered the final 12 yards of the possession to stake the home team to a double-digit (20-10) advantage.
A three-and-out solidified Miami's position, but Tua mishandled a shotgun snap, tried to bat it illegally, and surrendered a safety that cut the margin to 20-12.
The visitors used a 13-yard run by James Conner and a 17-yard pass to McBride to get moving again. Murray converted a 3rd & 6 with a nine-yard pass, then layered a 22-yard pass to Harrison for a touchdown, with Ramsey trailing in coverage. The Cardinals went for two, but Brooks sniffed out a Conner run to keep the score at 20-18.
In what was becoming a back-and-forth affair, the Dolphins answered again. Tua drilled a 20-yarder to Waddle, then Mostert ripped off a 13-yard run. Another Waddle connection for 15 yards converted a 3rd & 5, and Mostert took a third-down carry six yards into the end zone for a touchdown to extend the lead to 27-18.
The first play of the following possession was a bizarre one, with Murray fumbling after being hit by Campbell, recovering the ball himself, and firing it incomplete to save a nine-yard loss. Murray threw incomplete for Harrison on 3rd & 4 to seemingly end the possession, but the ball was ruled complete for 16 yards on replay (on a highly questionable ruling). Given new life, 'Zona took advantage, as Murray found Harrison for 22 and McBride for 16 to set up a two-yard touchdown jaunt by Conner, making it 27-25.
The 'Fins went to the ground game for an initial first down, then Smith converted a third third-down play when his 12-yard catch that was initially ruled short was challenged and changed to a first down. However, the Dolphins would gain only another yard before punting, though a well-executed Bailey punt was down at the 11-yard line.
Arizona fashioned a methodical 13-yard play that would extinguish the remaining 5:08, using an initial 17-yard pass to McBride on 3rd & 1. The Cards easily converted a 1st & 20 on the strength of an 18-yard pass to Harrison and a 17-yard run by Conner. Murray coolly converted a 3rd & 4 with a seven-yard run after the two-minute warning, allowing the visitors to run the ball three times to extinguish Miami's timeouts. A 34-yard field goal with no time remaining delivered a devastating -- and potentially season-ending -- defeat to Miami by the final score of 28-27.