The Miami Dolphins fell to the New York Giants by a score of 26-3 on Saturday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium.
Despite promising performances from the Dolphins' young core, New York set the tone early. Second-year signal caller Cam Miller started at quarterback for Miami, but his opening possession ended in a three-and-out. Giants quarterback Jameis Winston then led an 83-yard scoring drive capped by an 11-yard touchdown run and an extra point from kicker Dominic Zavada gave New York an early 7-0 lead.
On the next drive, Miller connected with rookie receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. for a 30-yard gain to move the chains. The series stalled after a sack on the following play and ended when Giants linebacker Micah McFadden recovered a third-down fumble by running back Jaylen Wright.
After both teams traded punts, Miami forced a turnover of its own when linebacker Jackson Woodard recovered a Giants fumble on second down. The takeaway gave the Dolphins possession at their own 10-yard line, but they were unable to capitalize.
New York scored on each of its three possessions in the second quarter. Zavada first added a 43-yard field goal before the Giants marched 71 yards for a touchdown drive spearheaded by running back Devin Singletary. Miami answered with a 53-yard field goal from kicker Riley Patterson, following a seven-play, 28-yard drive. Zavada later added a 32-yarder to give the Giants a 20-3 lead heading into halftime.
The Dolphins defense came out swinging in the second half, opening with a sack by edge Seth Coleman-Lyles and defensive lineman Cam Rice for a loss of nine yards. Quarterback Mark Gronowski stepped in for the Dolphins for the first time this preseason, leading a drive that ultimately stalled and ended on a 49-yard punt by Bradley Pinion.
On the next possession, New York was forced to settle for another field goal, a 27 yarder by kicker Ben Sauls. Miami's next drive ended after a fumble exchange at its own 25-yard line, ending the third quarter scoreless.
The fourth quarter opened with a 17-play, 55-yard field goal drive by New York for the final score of the game. Miami's defense continued to battle throughout the second half, producing key stops and preventing the Giants from reaching the end zone after halftime.
Miller led both in the air and on the ground, finishing 6-of-11 (54.5 pct.) for 60 passing yards and 18 rushing, while Coleman Jr. tallied 32 yards on two receptions (16.0 avg.). Defensively, Cam Riley led with 10 total tackles (eight solo) and one tackle for loss; on special teams, Pinion logged seven punts for 318 yards with two landing inside the 20, and a 39.4 net average.
The Dolphins remain home in Miami Gardens next Friday, August 28 at 7 p.m. to take on the Atlanta Falcons in Hard Rock Stadium.
