The Dolphins suffered Sunday perhaps the toughest setback of the season and now hold on to a miracle to reach the playoffs. Miami coach Mike McDaniel defined what happened in the 20-12 loss to the Texans at NRG Stadium in Houston.
It’s terrible. “It was a game we thought we were ready to win and we weren’t, so we’ll address it this Monday,” McDaniel said.
What I do know is that we had a team that fought with nails and teeth to the end. But that didn’t go, three interceptions are many and the last two turned out to be too painful.
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Obviously, Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa wasn’t well, despite completing 29 of his 40 passes, getting 196 yards and a touchdown. It was simply my fault. “I have to protect the ball,” Tua said.
I have to play better for our guys, especially in a situation when the team counts on me to tie the game, and that’s not what I did. That’s not how the games are won in this league and I’m very disappointed at how I played.
Luckily he came out unharmed from his attempt to complete a breakthrough by throwing himself head-on, unnecessarily because the action didn’t count for one of the Miami team’s eight penalties.
First, it was the knee injury of stellar wide receiver Jaylen Waddle and then the departure of another WR, Grant DuBose, after receiving a terrifying head knock.
Both limited Miami’s action leaving wide receiver Tyreek Hill exposed as an alternative. DuBose was hit hard by Texans defensive back Calen Bullock and was pulled on a stretcher and on Monday the Dolphins reported their improvement.
After suffering a head injury, Grant DuBose remained in a Houston local hospital for evaluation overnight. He has movement in all limbs and the initial tests have revealed positive results. He remains in the care of the doctors for continuous observation and reads the Miami team’s statement.
Nothing seemed to work. The offensive line did not protect Tua well, the three interceptions where everyone intervenes, you have to add 3 sacks, while the defense lacked a little more coordination as in the first touchdown of the game.
It was certainly an embarrassing job of safety, not just because of the lack of communication when cornerback Jalen Ramsey unexpectedly let go of Houston wide receiver Nico Collins, and safety Jordan Poyer instead of following him claims his teammate, a childhood mistake that cost dearly.
And what to say about the final touchdown when Miami linebacker Anthony Walker, slow and discrete, allowed Collins to score. Not to mention OT Jackson Carman, which is a lump in the whole rule.
With this defeat, the Dolphins distance themselves from the possibility of advancing to the postseason, but they still have a remote chance in the absence of three games by the end of the campaign.
The Miami team, second in the Eastern Division (6-8) has yet the option of getting the third winless wildcard in the remaining three games left against the 49ers of San Francisco, next Sunday 22 at Hard Rock Stadium, 29 at the Browns, and January 5 before the Jets in New York and also require help.
The Dolphins need the Colts (6-8) to lose to the Titans, the Giants, or the Jaguars and the Chargers (8-6) have at least two failures against the Broncos, Patriots, and Raiders.
While there is life there is hope and Miami cannot give up, although its options are minimal.
Tua’s concussion has taken its toll on the team and the real miracle has been to see them still struggling for the playoffs. At the moment they are coming up with a crucial clash against the 49ers (6-8) firing their season at Hard Rock Stadium.
