The New Orleans Saints fell the Miami Dolphins 21-17 on Sunday afternoon in Miami Gardens, Florida. The loss happened in New Orleans’ first trip back to Miami since their triumph over the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Miami began with a quick-strike touchdown drive to take an early lead. Six plays and 69 yards, capped by a 29-yard touchdown by De’Von Achane made it 7-0 Dolphins early on.
The Saints offense sputtered throughout the first half, struggling to sustain drives. However, the defense woke up, holding things down for the rest of the quarter. The teams traded five consecutive three-and-outs to close out the first quarter.
The Dolphins sustained their first drive of the second quarter, going eight plays and 68 yards. They were held to three, however, with Riley Patterson converting a field goal to make it 10-0.
At one point, the teams traded turnovers on consecutive plays. but Miami was the only team with any sort of rhythm on offense. They would convert another field goal to take a 13-0 lead later in the quarter.
The Saints put together their most promising drive late in the second quarter. However, Rasul Douglas intercepted Tyler Shough to thwart that effort. Off of that turnover, Tua Tagovailoa got his team into field goal range, and Patterson hit from 48 to make it a 16-0 lead at the break.
In the second half, the Saints offense finally showed signs of life. They put together an effective touchdown drive, with Shough connecting with Chris Olave for a touchdown pass. Shough ran in for the two-point conversion, cutting the lead in half at 16-8.
The teams exchanged field goals, with the latter coming from new Saints’ kicker Charlie Smyth from 55 yards out. That made it 19-11, and the Saints had one more comeback try in them. They navigated down the field, and Shough Devaughn Vele for a 15-yard touchdown. However, the two-point try was intercepted and returned for two the other way, making it 21-17 Dolphins.
Despite a successful onside kick for New Orleans, they stalled out and were stopped on 4th and 1, ending the game and giving Miami the 21-17 victory.
BIG NUMBER: 5
The Saints offense had five drives that went four plays or less in the first half. Their inability to move the chains kept their defense on the field for the majority of the game.
PLAYER OF THE GAME: Charlie Smyth
The big bright spot of the day was the Saints’ new kicker. He made a 56-yard field goal for his first NFL points. Then, he executed a perfect onside kick to give the New Orleans offense one more shot late in the game.
UP NEXT: The Saints will head on the road to face the division-rival Buccaneers in Tampa on Sunday, December 7th at noon.