Well, another week, another win for Tua and the Miami Dolphins.
The Fins came out on Sunday and played a near perfect game, defeating the struggling Cleveland Browns, 39-17. With the win, the Dolphins improve to 7-3. Also, the Minnesota Vikings defeated the Buffalo Bills in an overtime thriller, so the Dolphins move to first place in the four-way dog fight that is considered the AFC East. Cleveland, meanwhile, falls to 3-6, and their season is now on life-support.
1. Can we just give Tua the MVP Award? The offense was on FIRE.
Remember when everyone gave Tua crap for his first two seasons? Also, remember the people who wanted Tua to retire after the concussion? Yeah, those conversations are quickly over, especially when Dolphins fans chanted “MVP” on Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
Tua has been an elite quarterback since returning from the concussion, and that did not change Sunday. He completed 25 of his 32 passes for 285 yards, three touchdowns (the third straight game he has done that), and no interceptions (he has not thrown a pick since he returned from the concussion).
Tua’s two great plays of the game came on two of the three touchdown drives. First, Tua tossed a pass to fullback Alec Ingold, who ran it in past the pylon to tie the game at seven. Ingold was very active, finishing the game with 45 yards on four catches. Then, before the half, Miami extended their lead to 17-7 when Tua threw a perfectly-placed pass in the corner of the endzone to Trent Sherfield, who finished with four catches for 63 yards.
Yet again, speedsters Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill helped out in a massive way. Waddle recorded four receptions for 66 yards. And Hill recorded five catches for 44 yards and a touchdown.
2. Browns Could Not Catch a Break.
The Browns could not catch a break on either side of the ball. Other than an opening drive touchdown that was set up by rookie Jerome Ford and a deep pass to Donovan Peoples-Jones, the Browns couldn’t get going and they only came as close as 14. They were held to 297 yards of total offense.
Former Dolphin Jacoby Brissett played “ok”, completing 22-of-35 passes for 212 yards and a touchdown to Harrison Bryant, who played college at FAU.
Brissett received little to no help from his offensive line, being sacked three times. Nick Chubb also fumbled and was held to 63 rushing yards (he did record a touchdown on 11 carries). Amari Cooper, after his big game against the Bengals, was held to just three catches for 32 yards.
3. Trade deadline acquisition Jeff Wilson was SUPERB.
The run game was also on point for the Fins. Newly-acquired Jeff Wilson popped off, carrying the ball 17 times for 119 yards and a touchdown. He had runs of 20 yards, which resulted in a touchdown, along with runs of 18 and 11 yards, and a fourth down conversion.
Raheem Mostert also had eight carries for 65 yards along with a touchdown.
Now, the Miami Dolphins receive a well-deserved bye week before hosting the Houston Texans on November 27th.