"The Dolphins, outside of quarterback scrambles, had just 10 designed runs Sunday in Indianapolis. Achane had seven carries. Rookie running back Ollie Gordon II, expected to be a significant contributor after preseason injuries to Alexander Mattison and Jaylen Wright, was trusted with just two attempts. Once Miami was down big, 30-0, slot receiver Malik Washington was used once on the ground."
"When a team falls behind early, as the Dolphins did Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, it becomes more difficult to stick with the rushing attack. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's turnovers put the Dolphins in a precarious situation where they were playing from behind from the start. He threw one interception, sailing a throw high to wide receiver Tyreek Hill as Colts safety Camryn Bynum picked it off over the top."
"which put Miami behind the sticks and Tagovailoa was intercepted on a third-and-8 pass where he had Hill with an accurate pass. The next time the Dolphins had the ball, they again ran on first down, but an unblocked pressure led to a strip-sack on second down. Tagovailoa had nickel Kenny Moore force a fumble that was recovered by longtime Miami cornerback Xavien Howard."
The Miami Dolphins attempted to commit more to the running game after upgrading both guard positions and adding De'Von Achane and rookie Ollie Gordon II. The season opener against Indianapolis exposed a failure to sustain that plan, with just 10 designed runs, Achane carrying seven times and Gordon receiving two attempts. Malik Washington had one rushing attempt. Turnovers and an early 30-0 deficit forced the Dolphins to abandon the ground approach. Tua Tagovailoa threw an interception to Colts safety Camryn Bynum and later endured a strip-sack forced by Kenny Moore, recovered by Xavien Howard.
Read at Sun Sentinel
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