Winners and losers from Dolphins vs. Falcons in Week 7
The Miami Dolphins suffered their sixth loss of the season in Week 7, as they were defeated by the Atlanta Falcons on a game-winning field goal by Younghoe Koo that made the game 30-28 with no time left.
Atlanta’s offense was run through Kyle Pitts who put up seven receptions for 163 yards, becoming the first rookie tight end with back-to-back 100-yard games since 1970.
Miami’s loss continues to put them down with the worst teams in the league. Only the Detroit Lions have a worse record, as they lost today to make it 0-7 on the season.
Here are the winners and losers from the Dolphins’ loss to the Falcons.
WINNER: TE Mike Gesicki
The sure-handed tight end continues to be one of Miami’s top weapons on offense. This week, Gesicki led the Dolphins with seven receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown.
Miami has some solid depth behind him with Durham Smythe and Adam Shaheen, who combined for seven catches themselves on Sunday, but neither can replicate the skills of Gesicki.
The Dolphins will have a decision to make on the former Penn State tight end this offseason, and they should be making an effort to keep him.
LOSER: LG Austin Jackson
It’s a different position for Jackson, but he’s still having the same issues. Two key plays really highlight his struggles against the Falcons.
The first play was his hold on third-and-one in the third quarter when the Dolphins were in need of a score that made it third-and-11. Miami was unable to convert the next play and was forced to punt.
On their next drive, Jackson was outclassed by Grady Jarrett to put pressure on Tua Tagovailoa forcing a poor decision to throw that resulted in an interception.
WINNER: DE Emmanuel Ogbah
Ogbah has been the Dolphins’ most consistent defender this season. In a contract year, he’s doing everything right to earn a big deal this offseason.
In this game, Ogbah was putting regular pressure on Matt Ryan as often as he could. His motor was on full display when Ryan ran out to the right, and Ogbah chased him down from behind, knocking the ball loose, and giving possession back to the Dolphins.
The former Sooner deserves more respect.
LOSERS: Brian Flores and Josh Boyer
The coaching staff deserves blame for the defense’s coverage of Pitts in Week 7. Going into this game it was evident that Pitts was the main target of this offense, and if the Dolphins were going to win, they’d have to stop him.
Instead of putting Xavien Howard or Byron Jones on him for the full game, Miami decided to put Eric Rowe on him for most of the afternoon. They also seemed to be playing some zone, that allowed him to get open in the middle of the field.
These decisions are unacceptable.
WINNER: WR Jaylen Waddle
Waddle tied Gesicki for a team-high seven receptions, and he totaled 83 years. It’s been extremely impressive watching how quickly he gets open, but the Dolphins still aren’t using him to his full potential.
If they can ever figure out how to unlock him, the offense could hit another gear.
LOSER: WR Preston Williams
With DeVante Parker and Will Fuller still out, Williams should have been the second receiver behind Waddle. However, he finished the game with just one reception for five yards.
Williams has shown many flashes in the past, but he’s yet to do it consistently. Mack Hollins and Isaiah Ford, who are really the bottom two receivers on the team, both found their ways into the end zone. Why couldn’t Williams?
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