Commanders’ receiver Terry McLaurin voiced his frustration Sunday, following the 45-15 loss to the Dolphins. The former Ohio State receiver conveyed he got in a lot of cardio, Sunday, though he never did catch a pass. It was the first game this season McLaurin did not accumulate a single reception.
Jalen And X held Terry McLaurin to 0 catches in 3 of his only targets,😮💨🏝️#FinsUp @jalenramsey x @Iamxavienhoward pic.twitter.com/vxVqnvqg2O
— Jay☔️ (@Tr9lljxy) December 7, 2023
Target #1
1Q 2:23 3rd & 3 at the Commanders 32, Miami leads 10-0.
3 wideouts aligned to the right in a triangled bunch. Byron Pringle was at the apex, and behind him were Jahan Dotson (left) and McLaurin (right). Pringle ran a deep angle working toward the left hash. Dotson ran a short flat to the right, and then McLaurin was to rub off of Dotson on a short shallow cross to pick up the easy first down. But left guard Chris Paul was beaten early, and McLaurin collided with Dotson, slowing his release. Sam Howell was unable to step up, and the pass to McLaurin was incomplete. Also, McLaurin runs directly into the zone coverage defender. Had he broken down one second earlier in the middle of the field, Howell could have completed the easy first down.
Target #2
2Q 12:49 2nd & 7 at the Miami 34, Miami leads 17-0
Howell is under center with Antonio Gibson deep behind him. The Commanders are in two tight ends, with Dotson outside left and McLaurin outside right. Howell fakes a handoff to Gibson, but Miami is bringing five, and as soon as Howell finishes his drop, he is hit, letting the ball go deep to McLaurin on a fly route, and the pass falls incomplete in the end zone. Dotson is open on the crossing route, but frankly Howell had time to only look at one receiver and was immediately hit. It’s a good job by Howell getting the ball close enough to McLaurin to make one of those acrobatic catches he’s made in the past.
Target #3
3Q 6:15 1st & 10 at the Miami 20, Miami leads 38-7
Howell is again under center, Chris Rodriguez is the single back behind Howell. Dotson is wide left, a tight end is also left, Curtis Samuel is in the slot right, with McLaurin outside right. Dotson runs a shallow cross toward the right hash. Miami rushes four, and three of them win. Howell is moving for his life twice on this play. Had there been protection, he could have stepped up and hit Dotson, setting up a second and short. Howell unwisely attempts to hit McLaurin, who has run across the field right to left. McLaurin does a good job transitioning to defensive back, preventing an interception.
