The Miami Dolphins entered their Week 5 matchup with the New York Giants with a chance to regain first place in the AFC East, and they did just that, winning 31-16.
While the score may make it look like a one-sided victory, the Dolphins didn’t have the best day.
Miami turned the ball over three times with Tua Tagovailoa throwing two interceptions, including a ball in the end zone that was returned for a 102-yard touchdown.
Outside of the two picks, Tagovailoa had a solid day, completing 73% of his passes for 308 yards and three touchdowns.
The quarterback got help from Tyreek Hill, who found the end zone of a 69-yard touchdown after the Giants decided to put just one man on him on the first drive of the third quarter.
Miami also got great games from the running back duo of De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert, who combined for 216 yards and two touchdowns on an incredible 10.3 yards per attempt. Both backs fumbled, but Achane’s was the only one that was lost. He made up for it with a 76-yard touchdown run.
Defensively, Vic Fangio’s unit did what they were supposed to do, considering they kept the Giants from finding the end zone. They allowed multiple field goals, but with the offense scoring somewhat regularly, it didn’t really matter.
Miami finished the day with seven sacks, as everyone was getting involved. Zach Sieler had two, Jerome Baker and Emmanuel Ogbah both finished with 1.5 a piece, Andrew Van Ginkel got one and Eli Apple and Christian Wilkins both got credited with a half-sack each.
That’s exactly what should happen when the opposing team enters the game without three of their starting lineman and loses another in the middle of it.
The Dolphins won this game despite losing the turnover battle 3-0. That’s something that will not happen often. While they earned a victory, there’s plenty to learn from going forward.