Photograph: Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA Today Sports
The Miami Dolphins broke out the cheat code on Sunday. Before half-time.
Some NBA teams struggle to score 70 points in a game. But here we are in the NFL, and Mike McDaniel’s state-of-the-art offensive machine were putting up 35 before the third quarter arrived, then kept cranking out video game numbers in a surreal 70-20 scorching of the Denver Broncos.
Sean Payton’s new team didn’t stand a chance. Poor Russell Wilson – who wasn’t terrible on Sunday and put up 300 yards for the second week in succession – couldn’t compete when matched up against Tua Tagovailoa, who doesn’t have to worry about how to fall when the Dolphins play like this.
Miami’s entire offense was brilliant, totaling 726 offensive yards while collecting 30 first downs, going a perfect 6-for-6 in the red zone and reminding Payton that coaching in the NFL isn’t as easy as it appears from the safety of a TV studio.
It’s easy to forget how impressive Tagovailoa was before concussions, hard hits and stiffened hands began to define his career. Here was a reminder. Tagovailoa was the definition of quarterback efficiency in a victory that defined lopsided: 23-of-26 passing for 309 yards, four touchdowns and a 155.8 rating. He was also calm, sleek, cool and everything Miami were hoping for when they stood behind a fourth-year QB that some teams already would have moved on from.
Tyreek Hill was again almost unguardable with nine catches for 157 yards and a touchdown. Then there was running back Raheem Mostert, who totalled 142 offensive yards and four TDs. And rookie running back De’Von Achane, who galloped for 203 yards on just 18 carries – that’s a ridiculous 11.3 average if you’re counting at home – and also added two scores. It wasn’t just the starters enjoying themselves: backup QB Mike White – who the Jets may now wish they had hung on to – was also perfect (2-of-2 for 67 yards and a TD) on a day when everything went…
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