The Miami Dolphins are down to third-string quarterback Skylar Thompson against the Minnesota Vikings with Tua Tagovailoa and Teddy Bridgewater going through the NFL’s concussion protocol, but Thompson wasn’t the problem on Miami’s second offensive drive of the day.
Penalties on just about everybody else on the offense? That was the problem. Vikings punter Ryan Wright bombed a 73-yard punt from the Minnesota seven-yard line to put the ball at the Miami 20-yard line, and that’s where the trouble started. Thompson hit Jaylen Waddle on a 30-yard deep pass and matched up with Tyreek Hill on a nine-yard catch, and all of a sudden, the Dolphins had first-and-10 at the Minnesota 24-yard line.
Then, guard Robert Hunt was busted for a false start, which put the ball at the Minnesota 29 and gave Miami first-and-15. Then, in short order… tackle Connor Williams was given a five-yard penalty for an ineligible downfield pass, left guard Liam Eichenberg was given an offensive holding call, fullback Alec Ingold was flagged for offensive pass interference, and receiver Trent Sherfield was caught on an offensive pass interference call.
Those penalties canceled a total of 67 yards, and at the end of the drive, the Dolphins had fourth-and-18 from the Minnesota 42-yard line, and it obviously was time for Thomas Morstead to punt.
Not the ideal way for things to go for Mike McDaniel’s team.