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

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 52 yards on the ground and touchdown. Huntley’s performance, however, was somewhat dwarfed by that of defense that didn’t allow a touchdown and forced two turnovers.

“The defense had a talk and we said ‘Whatever happens, as long as the puts a few points up we’re going to stop these boys’ so we did,” defensive tackle Zach Sieler said.

Miami’s 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. Their two turnovers — inside linebacker Tyrel Dodson’s interception and edge rusher Emmanuel Ogbah’s strip sack that defensive tackle D’Shawn Hand recovered — were welcomed sights considering the Dolphins came into Sunday ranked in the bottom five in that category.

“They rose to the occasion,” coach Mike McDaniel said of the defense. “Having a couple turnovers and not letting them into the end zone. Guys made some plays just across the board.”

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. Huntley led all rushers while tailback De’Von Achane was held to 25 yards on 10 carries. Jeff Wilson Jr. and Raheem Mostert added an additional 5 and 3 yards, respectively, while receiver Malik Washington’s only rush lost 11 yards.

“I was just trying to get a little more space,” Huntley said of his rushing attempts, highlighted by his 13-yard scramble score. “It was tough to pick my feet up off the ground with those studs, but I was able to help the team make some plays.”

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. Hill gave all the credit to Huntley.

“It’s just one of those things where [Huntley] is more familiar with the offense and understands exactly where people have to be,” Hill said. “Instead of seeing me actually run an end route, he actually knows, just like Tua knows on a certain step, I’m going in or I’m going out and he’s banging it. He was just making plays.”

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 the Browns’ 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.

“I got to break it now,” Smith quipped, later adding that it’s “definitely an honor. Some great tight ends came through this organization and played some good football for a long time.”

The victory put the Dolphins at .500 for the first time since Week 2. A postseason appearance also still remains a possibility — they will just need a little help from the Kansas City Chiefs, who need to beat the Denver Broncos next week for Miami to secure a playoff spot.

“Our defense went out there and did what we have to do,” defensive tackle Calais Campbell said. “But the biggest thing is that some stuff fell into place for us. We got a shot. I don’t know what the percentage is. It really don’t matter. I just know that, for the first time in my life, I’m about to be a big Chiefs fan for at least a week. A huge Chiefs fan.”