Dolphins Overcome Mistakes, Overwhelm Giants

Tyreek Hill, De'Von Achane and the pass rush put up big numbers in a 31-16 victory against the New York Giants
Dolphins Overcome Mistakes, Overwhelm Giants
Dolphins Overcome Mistakes, Overwhelm Giants /
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The Miami Dolphins handled the New York Giants in Week 5 to bounce back from their first loss of the season, and their big-play ability allowed them to overcome some uncharacteristic mistakes.

Tyreek Hill and De'Von Achane each topped 150 yards and the defense took advantage of the patch-job Giants offensive line for seven sacks in a 31-16 victory at Hard Rock Stadium.

With the Buffalo Bills losing against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday morning, the Dolphins (4-1) regained sole possession of first place in the AFC East.

Based on the total yardage, the game was just as lopsided as it was expected to be based on the 12.5-point spread favoring the Dolphins, but three turnovers by Miami kept the score much closer than the way the game play.

Achane continued his electric rookie run with a 76-yard touchdown run that gave the Dolphins a 14-0 lead in the second quarter before Hill caught a 69-yard touchdown catch on the third play of the second half to make it 24-10.

The Dolphins also got touchdown from Jaylen Waddle on a 2-yard pass from Tua Tagovailoa and Raheem Mostert on a 2-yard run, with Jason Sanders kicking a 40-yard field goal on the last play of the first half.

Sanders' field goal came after the Giants made the score 14-10 with their only touchdown of the game on a 102-yard interception return by Jason Pinnock after the Dolphins appeared ready to make it 21-3.

It was one of three turnovers by the Dolphins. Tua threw two interceptions, the second one setting up a Giants field goal, and Achane lost a fumble in the first half. 

This came against a Giants defense that had not recorded a single takeaway all season.

The Dolphins defense did not record a takeaway, but filled up in the sack department with two for Zach Sieler; 1.5 for Jerome Baker and Emmanuel Ogbah; one for Andrew Van Ginkel; and half a sack for Christian Wilkins and Eli Apple.

Because of the Dolphins' big plays and their turnovers, the Giants ended up dominating the time of possession 35:59-24:01.

The bottom line is the Dolphins' firewpower was just too much for an overmatched Giants team not only dealing with issues on the offensive line but also playing without running back Saquon Barkley.

The Dolphins again will be overwhelming favorites next week when they play host against the Carolina Panthers, who are the only winless team left in the NFL.


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Alain Poupart
ALAIN POUPART

Alain Poupart is the publisher/editor of All Dolphins and co-host of the All Dolphins Podcast. Alain has covered the Miami Dolphins on a full-time basis since 1989 for various publications and media outlets, including Dolphin Digest, The Associated Press, the Dolphins team website, and the Fan Nation Network (part of Sports Illustrated). In addition to being a credentialed member of the Miami Dolphins press corps, Alain has covered three Super Bowls (for NFL.com, Football News and the Montreal Gazette), the annual NFL draft, the Senior Bowl, and the NFL Scouting Combine. During his almost 40 years in journalism, which began at the now-defunct Miami News, Alain has covered practically every sport at one time or another, from tennis to golf, baseball, basketball and everything in between. The career also included time as a copy editor, including work on several books such as "Still Perfect," an inside look at the Miami Dolphins' 1972 perfect season. A native of Montreal, Canada, whose first language is French, Alain grew up a huge hockey fan but soon developed a love for all sports, including NFL football. He has lived in South Florida since the 1980s.