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Dolphins vs. Browns score, takeaways: Tua Tagovailoa, Miami run game overwhelming en route to blowout win
Miami rumbles for a season-high 195 yards on the ground
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.
We have hit the 2-minute warning in a game that has not been in question since Miami took a 17-7 lead just before halftime.
The Browns just do not have much in the passing game outside of Amari Cooper, who has been targeted just three times in this game. Jacoby Brissett is force feeding targets to Donovan Peoples-Jones, who has not created separation against a safety all afternoon.
Cleveland's defense has zero answers for this Miami attack. The Dolphins are nearing 400 total yards of offense before the third quarter has ended. The Browns have been unable to stop the run or pass, but Miami is operating at a really high, efficient level. Mike McDaniel's team now leads 31-10.
Tough call on Dolphins DT Christian Wilkins. I think the official saw him lift Jacoby Brissett up a bit before landing on him.
Miami carries on where they left off by scoring to open the second half. It was a six play, 70 yard scoring drive in 3:25.
https://twitter.com/EdwardsCBS/status/1591872964626362368?s=20&t=jlhKN4uCKA0LdnEHux66Zw
Miami has allowed more points in the first half this season (146) than the second half (85) this season, so Cleveland could be in trouble should the Dolphins score a touchdown before the half. The Browns have also scored more in the first half (109) than the second half (98).
Kader Kohou continuing a special rookie campaign with a pass deflection on fourth down. The undrafted free agent out of Texas A&M-Commerce has played inside out for the Dolphins this season.
Nick Chubb had five fumbles on 1,057 career carries coming into today. His fumble on the second possession was his first of the season. Miami defense stepped up after Cleveland's defense was making it look easy. Can Cleveland's defense respond or will the Dolphins take their first lead of the game?
Bradley Chubb with his first sack as a member of the Dolphins. He was acquired from Denver in exchange for a first-round pick at the trade deadline.
Miami responds with a touchdown drive of their own. Cleveland had not allowed a touchdown on the opponent's opening drive this season.
Jerome Ford's 48-yard kickoff return is the longest of the season for the Browns. He set the previous high (44 yards) back in Week 2 against the Jets. Ford was activated from the Injured Reserve this week.
The Browns are coming off a Bye week. Head coach Kevin Stefanski is 2-0 coming off a Bye week in his time with Cleveland. Prior to the Bye week, they snapped a four game losing streak with a 19-point win over the Bengals.
Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill has the most receiving yards (1,104) through nine games in the Super Bowl era.
Jacoby Brissett is the first Browns quarterback with 75% completion, 250+ pass yards and 0 interceptions in consecutive games.
Miami is 6-0 when Tua Tagovailoa plays the entire game this season. They are 0-3 in all other games. Tagovailoa is expected to start. Backup QB Teddy Bridgewater has been ruled out.
Hello all, and welcome to our coverage of the Cleveland Browns (3-5) at the Miami Dolphins (6-3)!

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