Dolphins-Browns live blog: Fins blow out Browns 20-3 without Tagovailoa or Waddle
The Miami Dolphins blew out the Cleveland Browns 20-3 in a game that kept their playoff chances alive.
Backup quarterback Tyler Huntley starred in Tua Tagovailoa’s absence, completing roughly 85% of his passes for 225 yards and a touchdown. He also rushed for another 52 yards as well as a touchdown.
The defense, however, stole the show as they didn’t allow the Browns to score a touchdown but also stopped Cleveland’s offense on both of their red zone attempts.
Here’s more in-game updates that you missed.
Jonnu Smith reaches another record:
The star tight end recorded his seventh touchdown of the season late in the fourth quarter to put the Dolphins up 20-3 after Jason Sanders’ extra point.
He’s now tied with Keith Jackson and Anthony Fasano for most tight end touchdowns in franchise history.
Strip sack for Emmanuel Ogbah:
The Dolphins recorded their second turnover of the day when the edge rusher crunched Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson who coughed up the ball. Defensive tackle D’Shawn Hand would scoop it up.
Dolphins score first touchdown of the game:
Tyler Huntley, have yourself a day.
The backup quarterback completed all four of his passes for 46 yards on the Dolphins’ only touchdown drive of the day.
Huntley capped it off with a 13-yard touchdown scramble that put the Dolphins up 13-3
Terron Armstead ruled out:
The Pro Bowl left tackle exited the game on the Dolphins final drive of the first half.
Then came the bad news just as halftime ended: Armstead would miss the rest of the game with a knee injury.
Armstead has dealt with the same knee injury for at least a month. He’s practiced only sparingly over that span.
Rookie tackle Patrick Paul will protect Huntley’s blind side for the rest of the game.
Tyrel Dodson gets second interception:
The Dolphins knew they would have opportunities to create turnovers.
With roughly four and a half minutes left in the second quarter, the defense got their opportunity.
The inside linebacker read Browns quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s eyes beautifully, snagging the pick right in the middle of the field.
Unfortunately, Dodson took his helmet off in celebration which resulted in a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.
The Dolphins officially ruled out quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (hip) and receiver Jaylen Waddle (knee).
That means Tyler Huntley will start at QB while rookie receiver Malik Washington fills in for Waddle. Tyrell Dodson will fill in for starting linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. (knee) who will also miss Sunday’s game.
First reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, star receiver Tyreek Hill (wrist) will suit up against the Browns.
Other inactives include cornerback Nik Needham, linebacker Mohamed Kamara, offensive lineman Andrew Meyer and receiver Erik Ezukanma.
Pregame reading:
▪ Dolphins will enter Sunday’s game with playoff hopes still alive. What must happen now
▪Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa will likely miss Browns game with a hip injury
▪Dolphins make four roster moves, as Tagovailoa is downgraded to doubtful
▪ Kelly: Calais Campbell deserves a unique farewell, a proper sendoff
▪Greg Cote’s Hot Button Top 10: Hurricanes sit star QB in bowl loss, Fins alive, Butler drama & more
▪Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s Dolphins-Browns game
This story was originally published December 29, 2024 at 12:37 PM.
