Everything can be going well, with the snap of football things can change dramatically.
The Miami Dolphins visited the Cincinnati Bengals and were comfortable with a 17-0 advantage in the third quarter of play.
In the first half, Dolphins had an interception in the red zone, blocked a field goal, the running game was impressive, had a punt return for a touchdown and Ryan Tannehill played conservatively. It was nearly perfection as a team.
In the second half, Dolphins gave up 27 unanswered points, 24 in the fourth quarter alone. Bengals rally to defeat the Dolphins 27-17.
The Bengals (4-1) entered the game 3-128 all-time when trailing by 14 plus points entering the fourth quarter. Add four to that win column.
The last loss the Dolphins (3-2) had when leading by 17 plus points: 2011 visiting the New England Patriots, who Miami was dismantled by 38-7 the week before.
Miami has now lost two games in a row.
“We just got to get a lot of things cleaned up,” Dolphins head coach Adam Gase said.
Offensively, Miami has cleaning up and concerns. They visited the Bengals down two offensive linemen left guard Josh Sitton and center, Daniel Kilgore. They departed Cincinnati with a third one down; first round 2016 pick Laremy Tunsil.
Tunsil was put in concussion protocol.
The injuries to the offensive line all of a sudden was the backing to the poor play of Tannehill in the second half. He was 8-17 for 71 yards passing along with three turnovers. It is a team game; he did not lose the game however the interceptions did.
Under pressure, Tannehill decided to throw the ball at the feet of tight end Durham Smythe rather than take a sack. Tannehill was hit as he released the ball, which caromed off Smythe’s helmet and went directly to Johnson, who ran 22 yards untouched for the tying score.
After Randy Bullock’s 20-yard field goal gave the Bengals their first lead at 20-17, Tannehill was hit again by Carlos Dunlap, and the ball flew to Hubbard, who ran untouched 19 yards to the end zone with 2:37 left to clinch it.
It just takes the snap of the football.
“It is on me,” Tannehill said. “You can not let that happen. Find a way to the sack or throw it away to a different spot. I can’t turn the ball over in that situation. That gave them the momentum.”
Give credit to the Bengals defensive line; it was not all on Tannehill. The Dolphins did not have their best team on the field with because of injuries.
The formula for a Dolphins win is play defense, make plays on special teams and not turn the ball over. The recipe will keep Miami in the game moreover increase their chances to win. It was apparent in the first half.
The beat goes on.
Dolphins host the Bears next Sunday. Bengals host the Steelers next Sunday.
