NFL Morning After: Miami Dolphins-Cincinnati Bengals

The Good...

The Running Game

Miami averaged 4.4 yards per rush and really got the rushing attack rolling in the second half.

Miami defense

They shut out the Bengals' offense in the second half.

One of the two scores came on a freak play (See highlight below).

Dan Carpenter

Carpenter connected on all five of his field-goal attempts, including a career-long boot from 54 yards out.

He has hit 13 in a row, and is now 90 percent on the season. Hello, Pro Bowl.

The Bad...

One touchdown

Miami settled for five field goals, converting just one touchdown in three red-zone trips. This one could have easily been a blowout.

Dropped interceptions

Safety Chris Clemons had an opportunity to snag interceptions at two different occasions, one of which ended up leading to a gift of a touchdown for Terrell Owens (See below).

By The Numbers

• QB Chad Henne—24/37, 217 YDS, 1 INT
• RB Ronnie Brown—16 RUSH, 61 YDS
• RB Ricky Williams—9 RUSH, 47 YDS
• WR Brandon Marshall—5 REC, 65 YDS
• WR Davone Bess—7 REC, 53 YDS
• WR Brian Hartline—5 REC, 53 YDS
• CB Benny Sapp—10 TACK

Notes

• It appears John Jerry and Sean Smith have rejoined the starting lineup after both finishing the game. It’s clear Jerry is a superior run blocker to Pat McQuistan and that Smith is just a better player than Jason Allen, who was smoked by Owens early.
• The Wildcat is endangered and might be extinct from the Dolphins playbook in the near future after its ineffectiveness yet again.

Quarterback

Henne didn’t do anything spectacular, but he was solid and accurate minus the one interception.

He has improved tremendously on touch passes. He also had three downfield passes dropped. B

Backs

Ricky and Ronnie had trouble finding holes early, but got going in the second half. B-

Receivers and Tight Ends

I’d like to see Brandon Marshall get the ball more often on the run and in space.

Tight end Anthony Fasano had two drops. Hartline also had a devastating drop down the field. This group didn’t have a good day. C-

Offensive Line

Pass protection was excellent, as usual.

Run blocking still needs to get better, although they started to get more push up front in the second half. B+

Defensive Line

In the second half, they filled the running lanes and bottled up Cedric Benson. B

Linebackers

Although Cam Wake didn’t record a sack, his presence was felt as Cincy threw chips and double teams at him frequently.

Karlos Dansby made some nice plays, and Channing Crowder is proving to be a big key in containing the run. B+

Secondary

Clemons had opportunities to make some big plays and didn’t capitalize.

Allen was torched by Owens and replaced by Sean Smith early, with the latter recording his first career interception. Davis was awesome as usual, causing major frustration for Chad Ochocinco. C+

Special Teams

Carpenter is proving to be one of the league’s elite.

Bess had an off day as a returner with a couple of bad decisions in punt-return situations, including one lost fumble. Kick coverage was actually excellent! B+

Coaching

Offensively, this team still isn’t where it wants to be.

They were able to move the ball, but couldn’t convert red-zone opportunities into touchdowns. The offense is still searching for an identity. B

Highlight

Quotes

“I’d much rather kick five extra points, because our team’s getting seven points instead of three.” – Kicker Dan Carpenter

“Big-time players make big-time plays. So if that's a big-time play, he's growing into a big-time player.” – Cornerback Vontae Davis on Sean Smith’s interception late in the fourth quarter.

Check out game highlights HERE.

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