Grading Dolphins’ 70-20 win over Broncos; plus stock up, stock down (2024)

MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins showed more than amazing offense in Sunday’s record-setting 70-20 victory over Denver, they showed amazing focus.

Think about it. The easy thing would have been for the undefeated Dolphins to look past the winless Broncos and ahead to this Sunday’s titanic early-season matchup at Buffalo.

But the Dolphins (3-0) stayed focused on the task at hand, which was dismissing Denver (0-3), and they were record-setting in a way few teams have ever been in NFL history.

For example, the Dolphins established a franchise record for points, came two points shy of the NFL record for points in a regular-season game, 9 yards shy (726) of the NFL record for yards in a game (735) and became the first team in NFL history to pass for at least 350 yards and rush for at least 350 yards in a game.

And to think, they did this without speedy wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (concussion), who has more than 1,000 yards receiving in each of his two previous seasons.

Incredible.

Oh, and the defense only allowed one touchdown.

What a day.

Here’s the breakdown.

Passing game: A+

Just to offer praise to the backup singers, we’ll start with the offensive line/pass protection (includes running backs and tight ends). Centers Connor Williams and Liam Eichenberg, right guard Robert Hunt, right tackle Austin Jackson, left guard Isaiah Wynn and left tackles Terron Armstead and Kendall Lamm have been outstanding all season. On Sunday, they didn’t allow a sack for the second time in three games. That’s impressive.

Now we get to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. He was 23 of 26 for 309 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 155.8 passer rating (158.3 is perfect). Wide receiver Tyreek Hill (nine receptions, 157 yards, one touchdown) was amazing, and so was running back Raheem Mostert (seven receptions, 60 yards, one touchdown). Even wide receiver Robbie Chosen (one reception, 68 yards, one touchdown) got in on the act. Excellent work all around.

Running game: A+

Again, let’s praise the backup singers, the offensive line, and their coach, Butch Barry, who is a former Broncos offensive line coach. But running backs De’Von Achane (18 carries, 203 yards, two touchdowns) and Mostert (13 carries, 82 yards, three touchdowns) were pretty good, too. Achane established a Dolphins rookie rushing record. And let’s also mention rookie Chris Brooks (nine carries, 66 yards), who offered some hard-nosed running late in the game, including a 52-yard run.

Oh, and a nod to coach Mike McDaniel and offensive coordinator Frank Smith for calling 43 running plays, a season best. By the way, the run game helped the quick-scoring Dolphins, who scored 10 touchdowns, win the time of possession battle by having the ball for 33:21 of the 60-minute game. Tuck that away for later in the season when they need to protect a lead and kill some clock.

Defending the pass: A

The Dolphins pounded Denver quarterback Russell Wilson for 12 QB hits. Yeah, they only had one sack, but they kept Wilson on the move, and recorded an interception by linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah on a pass tipped by defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand. That was the good work by the front seven. On the back end, a shuffle in the nickel and dime packages (cornerback Eli Apple is out of the nickel package, cornerbacks Justin Bethel and Parry Nickerson are in the nickel and dime, respectively) produced positive results.

Wilson ended a harmless 23 of 38 for 306 yards, one touchdown, one interception and an ugly 83.9 passer rating. Nice job by defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in beating his former employer (he was the Broncos’ head coach from 2019-21), and nice for edge rusher Bradley Chubb (seven tackles, one sack) to defeat his former team (he was traded from Denver to Miami last season).

Defending the run: A

The Broncos had 69 yards rushing on 20 attempts. Holding a team to 3.5 yards per carry is impressive. It would have ranked No. 3 in the NFL last season. So give some credit to the rushing defense for a second consecutive good game. They allowed New England just 88 yards last week after allowing the Los Angeles Chargers 233 yards in the opener.

The Dolphins were No. 4 in rushing defense last year (103.0 yards allowed per game) and they’re trending in the right direction again with safety Jevon Holland (11 tackles) and linebacker David Long Jr. (eight tackles) leading the way against Denver.

Special teams: D

That darn Denver 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Marvin Mims Jr. in the fourth quarter brought up bad special teams memories from the previous two games. The blocked 49-yard field goal attempt at New England. The missed 55-yard field-goal attempt at New England. The missed extra point at the Chargers.

There’s been an issue on special teams in every game. It was trending toward a good day. Kicker Jason Sanders was 10 of 10 on extra points. Punt returner Braxton Berrios had three returns for 30 yards. Punter Jake Bailey had one punt for 48 yards. That kickoff return touchdown will haunt special teams coach Danny Crossman.

Coaching: A+

McDaniel is now 12-8 through 20 regular-season games and off to his second 3-0 start in two years as a head coach. So far this season he’s keeping his team focused, interested and on top of their game. The coaching staff is doing a good job.

The only blemish is Crossman, whose special teams units are leaking oil. But overall, the coaching staff is doing an amazing job despite, at times, being without top-notch talent such as Waddle, edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, and perhaps most hurtful of all, cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The new defense is off to a good start, and the offense is setting records. They’ve just got to take care of those special teams hiccups.

Stock up: RB De’Von Achane

The 203 yards rushing is crazy. Achane, the rookie third-round pick from Texas A&M, was just as electric as Texas A&M fans said he’d be, and more. And let’s not forget he had four receptions for 30 yards. Plus, we haven’t even seen his kickoff return skills. Imagine how good this running back room will look when Jeff Wilson Jr. returns from the injured reserve list and joins Mostert, Achane, Brooks and Salvon Ahmed. Yikes. And a tip of the hat to Eichenberg, who played center pretty well after Williams left the game.

Stock down: CB Eli Apple

It was a rough past week for Apple, who not only lost his job but also left the Denver game with an injury. He seems to be fairly deep on the depth chart nowadays. By the way, Williams, who seems to be laboring at center, is also a candidate here. You know about his issues with the snaps, and you know some of that blame is shared by Tagovailoa, according to coaches. But Williams had two holding penalties against Denver, one of which wiped out an Achane touchdown. Williams left the Denver game with a groin injury.