Miami Dolphins Come Up Short Late…Again
By Brian Miller
It’s a common theme this season. Lead for most of a game and then give it back to the opposition late. In this case the Miami Dolphins failed hold onto a lead that they held from start to almost finish. In the end another very well played game for the Dolphins ended with a loss.
Miami led the Denver Broncos early by scoring an opening game touchdown and then added two more by the end of the half. Unfortunately for the Dolphins, their defense collapsed yet again to finish out a half and gave Denver their second touchdown with 1:42 left in the half cutting the lead to 21 -17. Denver would fail to score in the 3rd quarter despite taking control of the game on the ground where they racked up well over 100 yards. Miami scored one touchdown increasing their lead to 11 as they entered the fourth quarter.
Peyton Manning wasn’t finished and the Dolphins as seen in games against Green Bay and Detroit failed to hold the lead.
Miami allowed three 4th quarter touchdowns one coming off a tipped pass interception that led to a Wes Welker score with just under four minutes remaining. At the time the Dolphins needed a touchdown to take the lead. Miami would add a score on their next possession and a two point conversion to come within three points but they failed to land the onside kick and Denver ran out the clock.
The Dolphins never put much pressure on Manning but they were eaten alive by C.J. Anderson the teams third string running back. Anderson gained 167 yards on the day. Miami simply had no answer as they seemed content to keep the Denver WR’s at bay but unfortunately that didn’t work out in the final 15 minutes.
The loss moves the Dolphins to 6-5 on the season and into 10th place for a playoff spot. The loss also put the Dolphins three games back on the division leading New England Patriots who beat Detroit 27-9 earlier in the day. The Dolphins need help down the stretch if they want to make it to the post-season and can all but write off a shot at a division should New England beat Green Bay next week.
The Dolphins will play at the New York Jets a week from tomorrow on Monday Night Football. The Dolphins lost left tackle Ja’wuan James to a neck injury and lost CB Jamar Taylor to a shoulder injury.