Dolphins defense comes up big without Tagovailoa as Fins stomp Browns, keep playoff hopes alive

C. Isaiah Smalls II, Miami Herald on Dec 29, 2024

Published in Football

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No Tua, no problem.

The Miami Dolphins beat the Cleveland Browns 20-3 to stay alive – albeit slightly – in the 2024 playoff race despite franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa being held out with a hip injury.

Backup Tyler Huntley had his best game of the season in Tagovailoa’s absence, completing roughly 85% percent of his passes for 225 yards and a touchdown. He also added 53 yards on the ground and touchdown. Huntley’s performance, however, was somewhat dwarfed by that of defense that limited the Browns offense to zero fourth-down conversions and less than 50% conversions on third downs.

The defense came up big on a number of occasions, forcing a field goal in the red zone in the second quarter and also putting together a goal-line stand early in the fourth. They also forced two turnovers: an interception courtesy of inside linebacker Tyrel Dodson and a D’Shawn Hand-recovered fumble following edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah’s sack.

One week after the Dolphins eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark for the first time in roughly a month, the run game regressed to its previous against the Browns. Miami only mustered 74 yards on the ground on 27 attempts. Tailback De’Von Achane was held to 25 yards on 10 carries.

After a much-maligned performance against the San Francisco 49ers, Tyreek Hill led his fellow receivers in all categories, snagging nine balls for 105 yards.

Neither the Dolphins nor the Browns moved the ball much in the first half. Miami struck first, knocking in a field goal on its second drive of the day. Cleveland would subsequently respond with a field goal of their own.

The next six drives? Punt. Punt. Punt. Interception. Punt. Downs.

Something, however, changed right before halftime. With 40 seconds left, Huntley led the offense deep into Cleveland territory which allowed Jason Sanders to kick the Dolphins into 6-3 lead at the half.

After the Dolphins defense forced a three-and-out at the start of the third quarter, Huntley would complete four of his passes for 46 yards before scrambling for the game’s only touchdown at that point.

The next seven drives? Punt. Punt. Fumble. Downs. Downs. Punt. Punt. Punt. Downs.

With their last turnover on downs, the Dolphins got the ball on the Cleveland 21-yard line. Four plays later, Huntley found Jonnu Smith for a 7-yard touchdown that tied Keith Jackson and Anthony Fasano for most tight end scores in franchise history.