The Dolphins fell to 1-6 on the season after Sunday's 31-6 loss in Cleveland. First-half penalties, followed by second-half turnovers, paved the way for a 25-point win for the Browns.
The Dolphins did get a nice collective showing from the rookie class and running back De'Von Achane stood out again.
- Self-inflicted wounds
The Dolphins turned the ball over four times and committed 11 penalties for 101 yards in Sunday's loss against the Browns. The four giveaways match the high-water mark for the Dolphins in four seasons under Head Coach Mike McDaniel.
"Minus four (turnovers) and 100 yards in penalties, two formulas that generally will equal immediate loss, regardless of what you do," McDaniel said. "We'll probably have 20 plays that are self-inflicted wounds, and you can't even get onto beating the opponent if you beat yourself so that's where it is. We have a long work week ahead of us that we need to make very impactful, and I think the locker room knows that."
The penalties occurred at seemingly the most inopportune times for Miami.
The first score of the game, a Browns field goal with 2:21 to play in the first quarter, came on the back of two fouls, starting with an illegal contact call on a third-and-14 pass that went incomplete.
Cleveland found the end zone on the next possession, again aided by a penalty on third down. Safety Minkah Fitzpatrick was then flagged for defensive pass interference on a third-and-6 pass that was intercepted by safety Ashtyn Davis. Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins scored the first of his three touchdown on the next play, a 46-yard run.
The Dolphins turned the ball over on the ensuing kickoff. Wide receiver Dee Eskridge was nearing midfield on a nice return when Browns safety Grant Delpit forced the ball out of Eskridge's grasp. The Browns recovered and scored 10 plays later extending the lead to 17-6.
All three of quarterback Tua Tagovailoa's interceptions were thrown in the second half. The game was still within reach to open the third quarter, but the first play was a high pass tipped, picked, and returned for a touchdown by new Browns cornerback, Tyson Campbell.
- Rookies ramp up
Sunday was arguably the best day of the season for the Dolphins 2025 rookie class. Defensive tackle Kenneth Grant registered a career-high five tackles including one for a loss. Fellow rookie defensive tackle and fifth-round pick Jordan Phillips had some of his best tape, consistently getting knockback at the line of scrimmage and creating chances for his teammates to log nine tackles for loss, the most by a Dolphins defense since Week 12, 2023.Second-round left guard Jonah Savaiinaea had the pivotal block on Miami's longest play of the day, a 46-yard run from running back De'Von Achane late in the first quarter.
Rookie running back Ollie Gordon converted a fourth-and-1 rush in the third quarter and quarterback Quinn Ewers made his NFL debut completing five-of-eight passes for 53 yards.
- Achane makes his mark again
Running back De'Von Achane accomplished another first in Dolphins franchise history. With 16 receiving yards on Sunday, Achane reached 1,000 career receiving yards. Last week, Achane surpassed 2,000 rushing yards. He became the first player in Dolphins history to eclipse 2,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in his first 35 games.
Achane finished the day with 82 rushing yards. More than half of his yardage came on a 46-yard run in the first quarter. It was the tenth run of 40-plus yards in his career, the most in the NFL since he was drafted in 2023.
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