Week 7 Halftime Insights: Miami Dolphins vs. Cleveland Browns

The Miami Dolphins faced the Cleveland Browns in Week 7 of the NFL season, showcasing a series of notable events and player performances. Key player inactives included rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers taking over as the No. 2, with Zach Wilson designated for third-string status. Defensive standout Matthew Judon was also inactive, alongside cornerback Storm Duck, who missed his fifth consecutive game due to an ankle injury.

First Half Highlights: Miami Dolphins vs. Cleveland Browns

The Browns won the coin toss and opted to receive, diverging from typical strategic choices for a team struggling offensively. Their initial offensive series resulted in a three-and-out, highlighting the Dolphins’ solid defensive play, particularly after a 6-yard scramble by quarterback Dillon Gabriel.

The Dolphins’ opening drive encountered hurdles when running back De’Von Achane mishandled a backward pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, resulting in a 5-yard loss. Despite Achane being a standout player this season, his dropped passes have been concerning.

Key Plays and Penalties

Despite a promising 17-yard run from rookie Quinshon Judkins, the Dolphins’ run defense remained effective, with players like Ashtyn Davis and Chop Robinson stepping up. The Dolphins managed to score a field goal due to the Browns’ penalties, despite the questionable calls on Robinson and Zach Sieler.

Achane demonstrated his value with a remarkable 46-yard run, aided by rookie Jonah Savaiinaea’s effective blocking. However, the Dolphins fell short in the red zone, resorting to another field goal attempt.

• Cleveland took the lead with a 46-yard touchdown run by Judkins.
• The Dolphins faced a crucial DPI penalty on Minkah Fitzpatrick, negating a potential interception by Ashtyn Davis.
• The Dolphins fumbled the subsequent kickoff, further complicating their situation.

Defensive penalties continued to plague the Dolphins, with Jaelan Phillips flagged for roughness. Despite this, cornerback Jack Jones made a significant tackle for loss against Judkins.

Near the End of the Half

As the first half wound down, Miami started a promising drive at the Cleveland 40. However, penalties derailed their momentum. A 23-yard run by Achane capped the decent drive, giving him a total of 76 rushing yards for the first half.

Miami’s struggles culminated with a missed 43-yard field goal by Riley Patterson but were slightly alleviated by a penalty against Cleveland for contact with the long-snapper. Unfortunately, a low snap from Brewer led to further issues for the Dolphins.

In the end, the Dolphins went into halftime trailing 17-6, marking a difficult half with missed opportunities and continued inconsistencies.