In a critical matchup of two wild-card contenders, the Miami Dolphins got run out of the building against the Indianapolis Colts, losing 33-8 on Sunday. Quarterback Daniel Jones exhibited exceptional accuracy, guiding the Colts with 272 passing yards and an impressive league-leading 65.7% touchdown rate. He was extremely efficient, going 22 for 29. His performance highlighted a 87.6 QBR, highlighting his effectiveness at all angles of the game.
Jones really showed his ability especially when the Dolphins didn’t send pressure. He went 17-for-23 for 198 yards in those situations. While subtlety wasn’t exactly Stanic’s calling card, this play certainly showed the surgical precision that underscored his playfulness. Even when facing a strong rush, he kept the poise you want in that situation, going 5 for 6 for 72 yards and a touchdown. This capacity to excel in both favorable and adverse conditions is a big reason why the Colts were victorious.
The Dolphins had to worry about their ghost—they were so bad defensively, they allowed you-know-who a CPOE of +16%. Jones was pressured eight times but was sacked just once. This highlight, while impressive, shows the struggles and confusion the Dolphins’ defense faced all game long. Notably, one of his standout plays included a pass released just 1.6 yards from defender Jaelan Phillips, showcasing Jones’ quick decision-making skills.
When talking about his team’s performance, Jones said, “We have the players, and we have the mentality.” His confidence underscores the optimism surrounding the Colts’ surprising fortunes as they press on through their 2023 campaign.
The Dolphins’ defense came under fire after their failure to stop Jones from reaching the end zone in particular. Star linebacker Bradley Chubb was asked after the game about all the adversity the team went through.
“They did a lot of the same things we thought was going to happen. Us making up our own stuff, not communicating as well as we could have [is why we lost]. So at the end of the day, it’s just about learning from it and build it from it and on to next week.” – Bradley Chubb
Head Coach Mike McDaniel addressed the team’s performance, noting that distractions might have impacted their readiness for the match.
“What does that mean? That means that guys let Week 1 and the bells and whistles of the season starting get the best of them. My job is to prevent that. I did my best — not good enough.” – Mike McDaniel
As the Dolphins regroup after this defeat, they will seek to address their communication issues and defensive strategies in preparation for their next game. Indy’s offense unleashed a furious offensive attack. Moving forward now, they’ll work to continue growing off this positive momentum as the season continues.
Leave a Reply