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Thank you all for tuning into today's coverage of the Dolphins and Browns. We will be back next week for more from your favorite teams!
The Miami Dolphins asserted themselves as a Super Bowl contender Sunday against the Cleveland Browns with a convincing 39-17 win. Cleveland has still not won back-to-back games this season while Miami carries a four-game winning streak into the bye week.
The Browns were unable to establish any momentum on the ground while the Dolphins flipped the script. Cleveland's inability to stop the run was magnified at Hard Rock Stadium as Miami rushed a season-high 33 times for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was precise and efficient, found eight different pass catchers amounting to 302 passing yards.
Miami took a 17-7 lead into the locker room at halftime and never looked back.
Why the Dolphins won
Head coach Mike McDaniel and defensive coordinator Josh Boyer outcoached their peers. Miami scouted Cleveland and identified its inability to stop the run and exploited it over and over and over again. The Dolphins got everything they wanted on the ground to the tune of 195 rushing yards. Meanwhile, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa gashed the secondary and extended drives. They scored on seven of eight possessions before kneeling to end the game. Cleveland did not have enough explosive playmaking ability to keep pace.
The Dolphins defense, led by defensive tackle Christian Wilkins and an attacking front, stifled the Browns run game.
Why the Browns lost
The Dolphins came away with points on seven of their eight offensive possessions. The punter never saw the field. Miami converted 6 of 11 third-down attempts and 1 of 2 fourth-down attempts. It never felt as though Cleveland had a competitive advantage. The Browns always had their backs against the wall and the AFC East team often converted with ease. When the opposing offense does not come off the field, it is difficult to win football games.
Play of the game
The decision ultimately came down to a third-down conversion by Jaylen Waddle and a touchdown reception by wide receiver Trent Sherfield with favor falling on the latter. With rookie cornerback Martin Emerson in coverage, Sherfield gave a bit of a push off, extended and made a diving reception in the end zone to give Miami a commanding 17-7 lead going into the locker room at halftime.
What's next
The Browns fall to 3-6 with a road trip to Buffalo next week. The team has just two more games without Deshaun Watson this season but a loss against the Bills would essentially end any hopes of making the playoffs. The red-hot Dolphins will likely be favorites in each of their remaining games with the possible exception of Dec. 18 against the Bills. Miami strides into a bye week on a four-game winning streak.
