INDIANAPOLIS — The Miami Dolphins, under coach Mike McDaniel, haven’t typically stuck with the run when the going gets tough.
This was the year that was supposed to change, after upgrades at both guard positions and with running back De’Von Achane getting help handling the workload in the backfield.
That effort to stick with the run fell flat quickly in Sunday’s season-opening debacle of a 33-8 defeat in Indianapolis.
Take 2 of a newfound commitment to the ground game could be a big factor when the Dolphins host the New England Patriots in their home opener and what feels like a must-win Week 2 game this upcoming Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium.
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. The Dolphins went to Achane on the ground on each first-down play of the opening series, but he lost 2 yards the second time, 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 running game helps limit exposure to turnovers, and Tagovailoa in the pass game was turning it over, making it more difficult to run the deeper the hole was dug.
The Colts scored another touchdown to go up, 17-0. That’s not a score where a team can typically keep going to the run, but it was still early in the second quarter with a lot of game left.
Tagovailoa got rocked on a blindside hit dropping back to pass on a first-and-10 that series.
It also didn’t help that Indianapolis was stringing together lengthy drives. Miami’s second possession came early in the second quarter.
Then, when the defense finally had what was to be its lone stop of the game, outside linebacker Matthew Judon was called for a running-into-the-kicker penalty that extended the Colts’ final drive before halftime, which resulted in a field goal.
After the half, you guessed it: Tagovailoa turned it over, intercepted by defensive end Laiatu Latu dropping back into coverage. Gordon moved the chains on that drive, with a third-and-1 short-yardage conversion on his first NFL rushing attempt.
Achane, who scored the Dolphins’ lone touchdown with a great effort to break a tackle and cross the plane on a fourth-down catch and run, had 55 rushing yards on seven attempts, thanks mostly to a late 26-yard run once the deficit was 30-0.
The Patriots, in a 20-13 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders, were sound against the run in their opener, giving up just 56 yards on 24 rushing attempts. But the Raiders clearly stuck with the physicality the run presents in the win.
It may only become more difficult to find efficiency on the ground if right guard James Daniels and right tackle Austin Jackson are out any extended period of time. Daniels, who entered Sunday questionable with an ankle injury, then left with an ailing pectoral. Jackson aggravated a toe injury suffered early in training camp.
Daniels was injured three plays into Sunday’s action, which was how long Miami had its starting group on the offensive line together. Kion Smith entered for him at right guard. For Jackson, it was Larry Borom at right tackle late.
This story will be updated.