Phins for the win! The game against the Lions and Dolphins is over after an acrobatic interception by rookie Ethan Robinson! There is a lot to go over so let’s get started!
Starting off with stats, Zach Wilson led the game in passing going for 15-23, 151 passing yards, a passing touchdown and no interceptions. Quinn Ewers finished with 116 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and no interceptions.
Ollie Gordon III averaged five yards per carry, going for 50 rushing yards on 10 attempts. New backs Mike Boone had three carries for 13 yards and Aaron Shampklin had 32 yards on two attempts. Jaylen Wright on four carries had three rushing yards. The Dolphins had 97 total rushing yards, 4.9 yards per rush and the Lions had 104 rushing yards on 3.5 yards per carry
Star of the receiving group, Theo Wease Jr had two passing touchdowns, 80 receiving yards on six receptions. Dee Eskridge had a receiving touchdown, 53 receiving yards and three receptions.
Defensively, the team had six tackles for losses, three sacks, and one interception. Jordan Phillips had 1.5 sacks, Grayson Murphy had a sack, and Cameron Goode had half a sack while Jordan Phillips and Grayson Murphy each had a tackle for loss as well. The one interception came from Ethan Robinson who sealed the game late in the fourth quarter. The Lions led the game with 13 penalties for 86 yards and the Dolphins had 9 penalties for 60 yards.
Overall thoughts on the game, the second-string offense was much improved than last week. Zach Wilson did miss on some throws but was efficient on most of his throws today and the same with Quinn Ewers as well. The running game in the first half was nonexistent but Gordon III propelled his was with multiple good runs that opened the run game. With today’s performance, Gordon III showed he could be RB2 behind Achane with one more preseason game left, Gordon III will have his opportunity. Jaylen Wright did not have his best game as his reps were limited due to not much production. Theo Wease Jr and Tanner Connor had a game today. With Ingold out, Connor had reps at both fullback and tight end and last week’s top performer Tahj Washington took advantage of his reps as well.
Players that stood out defensively were Jordan Phillips, Zeek Biggers, Derrick McLendon, Eugene Asante and Isaiah Johnson. The defense early on did give up some big play runs but tightened up as the game progressed. We saw Cam Smith get in on some action as Ethan Bonner went out due to a “hamstring injury” McDaniel stated. Rookie Eugene Asante has been moving heads with his aggressive play. The undrafted rookie out of Auburn has a good chance to make the practice squad with a talented linebacker group, but if he keeps playing the way he has, he will give the coaches a hard choice.
It will be about two weeks before cuts are made after the Jaguars game next Saturday in Miami. This will be a crucial week at practice as coaches will have a close eye on several players who can help add production early. The Dolphins will be back for live practice this Tuesday and the Jaguars will come to town for joint practice on Thursday the 21st. Now, cuts will begin after the Jaguars game but, the team could start that this week potentially, it will be something to keep an eye on as the days go by.
Cover Photo Credits: Miami Dolphins
