How exactly does an offense featuring Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and De’Von Achane go 10 consecutive quarters without scoring a touchdown? That’s what the Miami Dolphins are trying to solve and they’re running out of time to get an answer.
While the Dolphins finally ended their touchdown drought Monday night with a 1-yard Tyler Huntley rush, it was far too little, too late in a 31-12 loss against the Tennessee Titans.
With Tua Tagovailoa out of action, the Dolphins offense has vanished. But wide receiver Jaylen Waddle says the blame doesn’t fall entirely on the backup quarterbacks’ shoulders. The fifth-year receiver says he and the Dolphins playmakers need to be doing a lot more.
“Playmakers got to be playmakers. We’ve got to be better than good,” Waddle said after the loss. “When your starting quarterback is out, you have to be extra open to clear it up for the quarterback. [Huntley]’s new here, and we just got to go out there and make plays for him.”
Waddle finished Monday night with four receptions for 36 yards, somehow making him the leading receiver of the game. It was the third straight game he was held to four catches and less than 50 yards.
While quarterback issues are the primary reason for the lackluster production, Waddle didn’t do himself any favors by dropping a pass on the Dolphins’ first drive of the second half that would’ve picked up first down yardage and potentially more. One play later, the Miami offense was forced to punt.
Hill had opportunities to make big plays downfield too, but three deep throws to the receiver all fell incomplete with two underthrown and one overthrown. But just like Waddle, Hill also cost the team when he made a lackadaisical effort to pick up a dropped pass that was eventually ruled a lateral and a fumble that was recovered by the Titans.
Arden Key : 1 tackle for loss, QB hit & a fumble recovery pic.twitter.com/DCfS4wRDYP
— Lee Harvey (@MusikFan4Life) October 1, 2024
It may be a while before the Dolphins are back to racking up offensive yardage the way they did in 2023. In the meantime, the team can’t afford its best playmakers to waste the few opportunities they get.
