The 1-7 Miami Dolphins and the 1-7 Houston Texans faced off on Sunday.
The Miami Dolphins, coming off of seven straight losses, defeated the Houston Texans 17-9 to improve to 2-7 in one of the most ugliest games of the 2021 season. Both teams would combine for nine turnovers, with Miami having five and Houston having four.
The win against the Texans was Miami’s first win while committing at least five turnovers since Oct. 18, 1990 against the New England Patriots. The Dolphins had been 0-21 in such games since. Sunday’s game with nine turnovers was the most turnovers in an NFL game since the New York Jets and Kansas City also combined for nine on Sept. 25, 2016.
Before the game, it was announced that starting QB Tua Tagovailoa would be downgraded to an emergency backup role due to a fractured middle finger in his throwing arm. Backup QB Jacoby Brissett would take his place, completing 26 of 43 passes for 244 yards and a touchdown. Brissett also threw two interceptions.
Rookie WR Jaylen Waddle had an impressive game, catching eight passes for 83 yards. RB Myles Gaskin would have a rushing touchdown, while WR Mack Hollins had a receiving touchdown to put Miami up 17-6 at the half. With the 17-6 lead at halftime, it would be Miami’s largest halftime lead since November 1, 2020 against the LA Rams. It was also the Dolphins’ first halftime lead since November 15th against the LA Chargers.
Houston QB Tyrod Taylor completed 24 of 43 passes for 240 yards and three interceptions. It would be Tyrod Taylor’s first interception against the Dolphins in his 167 passing attempts against them. A key interception in the game was when Taylor attempted to throw the ball away, but instead, the ball ended up in the hands of Dolphins LB Jerome Baker.
Next Up
The Miami Dolphins will host the Baltimore Ravens at home on Thursday Night Football.