The Miami Dolphins lost their preseason opener to the Atlanta Falcons 19-3. Most of the game was played by backups. The defense looked solid, only allowing a single touchdown. Meanwhile, the offense could not get into the end zone. There was good, there was bad and there was ugly, in the Dolphins first-game situation of the 2023 season.
Preseason Opener Is a Loss for the Miami Dolphins
The Good
One of the best things that did come out of the Dolphins first preseason game, was the showing of its depth at the running back position. Third-stringer, Myles Gaskin, had seven carries for 57 yards; an average of just over eight yards a carry. While rookie De’Von Achane had a tough night carrying the ball, he did have four catches for 41 yards, including one for 19 yards. Second-year player, Erik Ezukanma, also impressed, running the ball twice for 52 yards, to go along with three catches for 15 yards. The defense also impressed allowing the Falcons offense to visit the end zone on one occasion only.
The Bad
The Dolphins special teams allowed a 79-yard punt return for a touchdown. Special teams can make or break a team’s success. For the sake of the Dolphins and their fans, here is hoping that that will be the only kick or punt return for a touchdown, allowed this season.
The Ugly
Both of the Dolphins backup quarterbacks looked atrocious. While second-year quarterback, Skylar Thompson, was a respectable 10/16 passing, he also threw two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. First-year Dolphin, Mike White did not fare much better. While completing, an also respectable 9/14 passes, he was also picked off. Combined the Dolphins backup quarterbacks threw zero touchdowns and three interceptions. While it appears that the poor performances lie solely on Thompson and White, that may not be entirely accurate. Thompson was sacked four times for a total of 31 yards lost. White was also sacked once for a nine-yard loss. What has been an Achilles’ heel for the Dolphins, it seems for many of the last several years is the lackluster play of the offensive line. This season appears not to be any different than those in recent memory, especially when it comes to the offensive line.
Takeaway
For the most part, the performances overall by the reserves and backups show a lack of depth. The exceptions were Gaskin and Ezukanma. Meanwhile, special teams showed they have some retooling to do after allowing a point return for a touchdown. While both Thompson and White both completed more than half of their passes, they also combined for three interceptions (one which went for a touchdown), and zero touchdowns. While fans will likely point the finger at both White and Thompson, the issue may be with those on the offensive line. Once again, the offensive line has let Dolphins fans down, and although, it is only the preseason, if a situation is not remedied as soon as possible, during the preseason, it quickly becomes an issue throughout the regular season. Hopefully, things will be better for the Dolphins and Dolfans when they take on the Texans, this coming Saturday.
Main Photo: Jeff Romance/THE PALM BEACH POST-USA TODAY NETWORK
