Bucs at Miami Dolphins recap

Better field better production? These two teams got to both move down field at a good clip while the field did not look torn up like it had in past games.

Early drives produced a few FG’s for the Bucs and a TD from the Miami Dolphins featuring a long Damien Williams run of 69 yards on a drive that ended in an INT in the end zone.

Speaking of INT’s there were two by early second quarter. But Jay Cutler may be getting painted as a scapegoat here. The first INT was from DeVante Parker falling down from a trip in the end zone then on a later drive he had a ball bounce right off his hands into the arms of a Bucs defender making it three interceptions within the first 26 minutes of play.

There had been four turnovers by the Dolphins offense (3 INT and a fumble) with under two minutes to play in the first half and they were only down by six points. On top of that there were enough penalties to negate what would most likely be more scoring drives.

And on defense Kiko Alonso hit QB Fitzpatrick when he was sliding drawing a flag keeping a drive from stalling in the red zone in which the Bucs scored a TD making it 20 – 7 at the half.

The second half-opened with Jay Cutler sidelined from concussion concerns. Matt Moore started by overthrowing Kenny Stills but then connecting with Jarvis Landry for a 49 yard strike on third down keeping the drive alive and nearing the red zone. Anthony Fasano caught a would be touchdown but must have pushed off. Oddly enough the call on the field was on Julius Thomas who never touched anyone. Then Moore overthrew DeVante Parker in the end zone resulting in having to settle for the FG.

Cutler would remain out for the rest of the game leaving Matt Moore to be the one to lead any comebacks. If he and Moore could only make passes like they both did on third and longs this game would have been a cakewalk.

Missing in action

Jermon Bushrod allowed Gerald McCoy to get to Kenyan Drake for a loss of six yards. Then was called for a somewhat tacky holding call negating a long 48 yard pass to Jarvis Landry that was on third down. For what it’s worth the officiating looked rather suspect toward the Miami Dolphins this whole game.

TE burning the defense: This was on full display early in the game with open plays to the seam yet again. However later in the game it was not as much a problem.

As advertised

Jarvis Landry had to step up this game as DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills have been hobbled coming into this game. And beside a dumb penalty after the early interception he delivered, catching his own TD, his sixth of the season. However he did fumble losing the ball to the Bucs with under two minutes to play in the first half.

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Pleasant surprises

Jordan Phillips: got a sack in the end zone that was somehow not called a safety. This was somewhat like the infamous butt fumble play with the QB running into his lineman but Cameron Wake had pushed that lineman back into the end zone.

The defense was bending but not breaking allowing only FG’s early while the offense seemed good enough this game to score TD’s when the WR isn’t tripping in the end zone. The D-backs started off shaky but later seemed to clamp it down defending the likes of Mike Evens which is no easy task for youngsters Cordrea Tankersley and Xavien Howard. Also the line and L-backs seemed to tighten up play as well.

Matt Moore: 17-for-28, 282 yards, 1 TD, 106.5 rating in just a second half of spot duty work. He would have had more time at the end of the game if not for a timeout used by virtue of horrendous non-safety call that was challenged and lost.

Phi-injury report: Jay Cutler – concussion. Jermon Bushrod – foot. Ted Larsen was only out a play or two. Chase Allen – concussion. Stephone Anthony – knee.

Phin-fact 284 combined yards in the first quarter by the Dolphins and Bucs is an NFL high for the first quarter this season.

The Miami Dolphins are the fourth most penalized team in the league. And there was plenty of yellow flags flying this game. In fact the record of 18 penalties in a game the franchise record was almost matched this game with 17 penalties for 123 yards and 4 turnovers. (a 5th TO counting the last-ditch effort)

So many long passes were connected on third and long this game. While this is the edge of the seat exciting to watch it would be better if drives were more consistent and dominating. There are times when it looks like the Miami Dolphins are on the verge of this taken place and then penalties raise their ugly heads killing the momentum.

Final score 30 – 20 by virtue of a TD the Bucs had on the Miami Dolphins last attempt with time running out fumble and the Bucs recovering it in the end zone. The Bucs had just went ahead 23-20 on a FG leaving not much time left but for a last play.