Just about everything went wrong for the Miami Dolphins last week. The team was blown out by its division rival, lost starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to the injured reserve, and suffered a couple injuries along an already thin offensive line.
Now it’s time for the Dolphins to show what they’re made of, says veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell.
“Good teams don’t lose two in a row,” Campbell said. “Everything is circumstantial or whatever, but in this business, you got to find ways to win. When you’re on the road, you got to bring your special teams and your defense.
“The message is really just lock in on the small details, try to make sure we’re executing on a high level with great enthusiasm and effort and just play football.”
Miami will be without Tagovailoa for at least four games and is turning to third-year quarterback Skylar Thompson to lead the way, at least temporarily. And the Dolphins don’t have much room to struggle during Thompson’s time at the helm.
Elsewhere in the AFC East, the Buffalo Bills are out to a 2-0 start and already have a head-to-head win against the Dolphins. The New York Jets are looking good too after a 24-3 dismantling of the New England Patriots bumped them to 2-1 on the year.
If the Dolphins aim to prove they’re a contender, Campbell is right that there’s not much room for error.