Analysis: How Cleveland Overpowered Miami

Coming into this game it seemed like the Miami Dolphins could possibly pull off another victory in what was first labeled as a tanking season. However, Baker Mayfield and his Cleveland Browns company was too much for the young Miami secondary to handle. The Browns emerged victorious, 41-24, after jumping out to a 28-3 lead.

“It’s the National Football League. We can’t make it to the playoffs. My goal and everyone else’s goal is to stop whomever we play, to beat them and stop them from making it to the playoffs (that didn’t happen),” defensive end Charles Harris said.

Baker and Co.

The offseason trade for Louisiana State University product Odell Beckham Jr. finally showed why the team was willing to give up multiple players to the New York Giants for him. In the first quarter, the duo connected on a 35-yard touchdown pass that put the Browns up 14.

Mayfield also continued to find his stride with his other LSU product, Jarvis Landry, opposite of Beckham. The former Dolphin was the leading receiver on the day, racking up two TDs and 148 yards on 10 catches. This duo connected first on a seven-yard pass that broke the 0-0 tie and later connected on a five-yard pass to seemingly put the nail in the coffin with a 21-0 lead.

Mayfield finished the game going 24-for-34 with 320 yards, three TDs and one interception. 

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The running game for Cleveland also had some fun in the game as RBs Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt carries the ball 32 times as a pair for 147 yards and two TDs. 

“When you get down two, three scores, it’s hard to run the football. There’s a lot that goes into it. We’ve got to play better across the board – offensively, defensively, and in the kicking game. They got out ahead of us, so we had to turn it into a passing game to try and get back into it,” Dolphins head coach Brian Flores said.

Miami Never got Going

Miami fell behind by four TD’s before adding a Jason Sanders field goal as time expired before halftime. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had a subpar game, finishing 21-for-39 with 192 yards, two passing TDs, one rushing TD and two INTs. 

Fitzpatrick connected with second year tight end Mike Gesicki for his first career TD in the third quarter on a 11-yard pass. He added another score to WR Allen Hurns in the fourth quarter, connecting on a 19-yard pass with 33 seconds left in the game. Fitzpatrick was also the team’s leading rusher.

“When we’re plugging and playing guys, we have to make sure everyone is on the same page,” Fitzpatrick said. “With guys like DeVante (Parker), I have to do a better job of getting him the ball more. Allen (Hurns) did some nice things today. Albert (Wilson) did some nice things today. I just need to continue to work with those guys, lean on them and get better.”

– Carl Mahler is a Sports Contributor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins. Like and follow on Follow @C3Mahler Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.