Poor Coaching Costs Miami Win in London

In a game full of questionable coaching decisions, head coach Brian Flores put the ball in the hands of running back Malcolm Brown on fourth-and-one from the Miami Dolphins’ 46-yard line with under two minutes to play. The back got no gain, resulting in a turnover on downs, and an eventual game-winning field goal for the winless Jacksonville Jaguars, dating back to week one of 2020.

Flores Stands By Fourth-and-1 Call

“I have peace with the calls we made, both offensively and defensively on those fourth downs you mentioned. In the moment, given what we thought could or might happen, the players we wanted (were) in there,” Flores said. “We came out of it feeling like those were the right things to do. You’ve got to give credit to Jacksonville, they executed in those situations and we didn’t. You can always go back and say, ‘Hey man, maybe we should have done this or maybe we should have done that.’ But in the moment, it just felt like we were putting our team in the best position in both instances.”

Tagovailoa Put Team on Shoulders

To be fair this was nobody’s home field, as the game took place in London, England as part of the NFL’s international program to try to expand its audience. It took place inside Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and was a showdown of two former standout college quarterbacks. 

Jacksonville’s Trevor Lawrence became the first rookie to be a winner across the pond and Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa returned from injured reserve, answering a lot of questions with his performance despite the team loss.

Tagovailoa came back into action after suffering broken ribs in week two, and put up good numbers in the last-second defeat. He went 33-for-47 for 329 yards, with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. He also added 22 yards on three carries. Overall, Tagovailoa shouldered the load of this team and went pound for pound with Lawrence, who went 25-for-41 for 310 yards in the game, with one TD and no picks.

Dolphins Missing Top Guys on Offense, Defense

Looking past Tagovailoa, the Dolphins lost because the game was not balanced as it should have been. 

No DeVante Parker, no Will Fuller, no Preston Williams, no Xavien Howard and no Byron Jones.

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The Dolphins were fortunate to be even in the game with their top offensive and defensive playmakers absent.

“I think it’s hard to pinpoint anything in the game of football as the reason something is not going one way or the other,” WR Mack Hollins said. “You have to continue to find ways to outplay your opponent just like any business. You’re not always going to the most successful quarter, but what you have to do is how can I make the next quarter more successful?”

Miami’s Run Game is Non-Existent

Additionally, the running back group did not exist, again. 

Brown led the backfield with five carries for 24 yards, with Salvon Ahmed following with seven attempts with 22 yards. Meanwhile, supposed RB No. 1, Myles Gaskin, only had five carries but for nine yards after erupting against the former Super Bowl champions one week before. 

Waddle Keeps Dolphins in Game

The receiver group, apart from the QBs, were the only group that looked good all around. It was rookie wideout Jaylen Waddle, who again, kept the Dolphins in the game. Responsible for the only receiving, and game-winning score in week one, he had both TDs for the team on Sunday. Waddle finished second on the team with 70 yards and 10 catches. 

Tight end Mike Gesicki led the receiving corps with eight catches (nine targets) for 115 yards. 

The other active receivers saw Hollins secure four catches (five targets) for 61 yards, TE Durham Smythe with five catches (six targets) for 59 yards and Albert Wilson contribute 14 yards on multiple catches.

Jaguars See Big Yards from Three Wideouts

For Jacksonville, it was Marvin Jones Jr. reaching the 100-yard mark on seven catches. He also added the Jaguars’ only receiving score. WRs Jamal Agnew (78) and Laviska Shenault Jr. (54) each went over 50 yards.

RB James Robinson added a ground score and 73 yards on 13 carries.

Dolphins’ Backup CB Abused All Afternoon

Between Jacksonville giving Miami good field position and holding the Jaguars to multiple field goals, this game could have been in the bag for Miami. But between the  CB group and the linebacking corps, it was a defensive nightmare. CB Noah Igbinoghene was targeted frequently and gave up the TD to Jones Jr., as well as other crucial first down gains throughout. The former first-round pick has already been inactive multiple times this season. 

“I’m honestly just getting a feel for the game. The game is of course way faster than we practice,” Igbinoghene said. “Just getting used to it, continuing to build on that and continuing to get more reps. I think that’s the biggest thing. Continuing to get more experience and it’ll all come by itself.”

He continued, “The touchdown, I would say at the line, I probably could have widened him (Jones Jr.) out a little more and that probably would have allowed me to be in a better position at the end of the play. I kind of opened the gate at the beginning allowing him to run. No, he didn’t run past me or anything like that but he’s a tall guy, so if he gets in front of you, if he gets that position on you, it’s easy for him to make that play.”

Dolphins Sit At Bottom of AFC East, All of AFC

Miami scored 13 in the first half to take a lead into the half, but it was the 13 Jacksonville put on the board in the second that sealed the 3-point win. 

“I think outside of the locker room, everybody probably thought, ‘Oh, the Jaguars haven’t won in a while. They are a sorry team.’ There are 22 guys that start on their team that are in the National Football League that are the best of the best,” Hollins said. “There are no easy games. It’s really hard to win in this league. I don’t think there is a disconnect. You just have to keep pushing, practicing hard and preparing well in order to win games.”

The Dolphins took a beating even though the scoreboard does not indicate it. Now 1-5, they sit at the bottom of the AFC East behind the New York Jets (1-4) who have had their bye. The next team up for Miami is a home game against the Atlanta Falcons who just beat the Jets, so tension will be high for both teams with much on the line.

Kayla Morton contributed to this article.

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– Alessandro Senatore is a Sports Contributor for Full Press Coverage Miami Dolphins who specializes in the NFL Draft and fantasy sports. Like and follow on Follow @AM_Senatore Follow @FPC_Dolphins and Facebook.