Dolphins-Eagles Week 7 Five Biggest Storylines ... And How They Played Out

The Miami Dolphins dropped to 5-2 on the season with their loss against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field

The Miami Dolphins lost for the second time this season when they dropped a 31-17 decision against the defending NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday night.

Ahead of this third consecutive interconference matchup for the Dolphins, we ranked and examined the five biggest storylines, so now it's to revisit those to see how they played out:

1. Can the Dolphins make a statement on the road?

Before the game: The Dolphins entered Week 7 tied with four other teams for best record in the NFL, but their strength of victory easily was the worst of the five teams. While the Dolphins can only play the teams on their schedule and they shouldn't be faulted for their opponents' ineptitude, the fact remains their 2023 resume could use a victory against an established powerhouse to get full universal respect and stamp them as bona fide Super Bowl contenders.

During the game: As head coach Mike McDaniel said Monday, this narrative will remain until the Dolphins actually go out and defeat a high-level opponent — or at least one with a winning record. The Dolphins certainly were in the game against the Eagles, trailing by only seven in the fourth quarter with a chance to tie the score, but they ultimately came up short.

2. A lot on the lines

Before the game: The biggest challenge the Dolphins will face against the Eagles will come on both lines of scrimmage because there are few teams, if any, that can match what Philadelphia offers on its offensive and defensive lines. Just coming close to a stalemate on either side actually should be considered a win for the Dolphins and would go a long way toward helping leave The Linc with a victory.

During the game: Despite Philadelphia ending up with 31 points, it's hard to have a major issue with what the Dolphins defensive line was able to do in this game. The Dolphins shut down the vaunted Eagles running game — with the exception of the "tush push" — and had consistent pressure on Jalen Hurts that produced three sacks, a number that would have been higher if not Hurts' ability to get out of the pocket. It wasn't quite as positive on the other side of the equation because the injury-riddle Dolphins offensive line really had a hard time against the vaunted Eagles defensive line.

3. Bama QB Battle, part 2

Before the game: This will be the second of three consecutive games featuring Tua Tagovailoa against another former Alabama teammate, but this one is different than the matchups against Bryce Young last week or Mac Jones next week because Jalen Hurts is more on a par with Tua than the other two and can be a difference-maker for the opponent. As always, it's not all about the quarterbacks but whoever has the better game between Tua and Hurts should go a long way toward determining the final outcome.

During the game: While it was by no means the only reason the Eagles won, Hurts clearly was the QB who made the most plays on this night and it wasn't just about the sneak. His ability to extend plays and create on the move paid off in a big way on a fourth-and-3 completion that set up Philadelphia's first touchdown of the game. Tua had a much better outing than his final stats might suggest, but the reality was that Hurts was the better QB in this game.

4. Tyreek and A.J. Brown

Before the game: The Dolphins-Eagles matchup will feature the top two offenses in the NFL – though the Dolphins are first by a wide margin — as well as the two most productive wide receivers in the NFL. While Tyreek Hill is well on his way toward the first 2,000-yard season in league history with four 150-yard performances in six games, Brown is on a run of four consecutive games with at least 127 yards. Whichever defense can slow down those two might determine the outcome.

During the game: Hill again was a big factor for the Dolphins passing game with 11 catches, but they accounted for "only" 88 yards and a score though he had a couple of drops, including one that cost a touchdown. Brown, meanwhile, was a major factor in the Eagles win with 10 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown. Brown's catches included a 32-yard gain to set up the first touchdown and a 42-yard contested catch to set up the game-clinching score. Advantage Brown.

5. More for Mostert?

Before the game: It's not just Hill who's on a record pace this season because Raheem Mostert is on target to match the NFL record of 31 touchdowns in a season with 11 after six games, including three against Carolina last week. Mostert also has back-to-back 100-yard rushing performances, giving the Dolphins a 100-yard rusher in every game this season except the opener. Whether that last streak can continue against the Eagles is no guarantee, but you also wouldn't bet against anything related to the Dolphins offense these days.

During the game: You had to figure that running the ball wasn't going to be easy against the Eagles, but it was frightening actually in the first half when Mostert's three carries resulted in minus-8 yards. The Dolphins were able to create some space at least in the second half and Mostert reeled off runs of 21 and 15 yards, but the game circumstances led to few rushing attempts and he finished with 45 yards on nine carries as the streak of Dolphins games with a 100-yard rusher came to an end.

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