#Dolphins vs saints score series#

“They had a nice game plan – mixing coverages, mixing the fronts,” Flores said. Jason Sanders’ 34-yard field goal completed the scoring early in the fourth quarter as the Saints failed to score a touchdown for a second consecutive game.ĭolphins coach Brian Flores credited defensive coordinator Josh Boyer and his staff for their plan against Book and the Saints offense. That triggered a drive that ended with Tagovailoa’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Jaylen Waddle for a 17-3 lead that carried into the fourth quarter. Then on a third-and-nine from the Miami 15, Tagovailoa launched a perfect pass up the West sideline that Mack Hollins snared for a 40-yard completion. But they went three and out, as did the Dolphins before the Saints punted again. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA New Orleans Saints fan wants to help the Saints against Miami Dolphins during the first half at Caesars Superdome (Photo: Stephen Lew).ĭespite a poor start, the Saints trailed just 10-3 at halftime and received the second-half kickoff. “We had two players today getting fitted for equipment in the locker room in the equipment room that had just arrived,” Payton said. Additionally, starting left tackle Terron Armstead was inactive because of a knee injury. Just a few hours before kickoff the Saints announced that linebacker Kwon Alexander had joined 21 teammates on the reserve/COVID-19 list, that they had signed four players to the practice roster and activated 14 from the practice roster.

Payton said it was “impossible” to evaluate Book under the circumstances. “It was just a tough position for him to be in.” “Just keeping (Book) upright tonight was a challenge,” Payton said. The rookie finished 12 of 20 for 135 yards with two interceptions. They sacked Tua Tagovailoa three times, but allowed Book to be sacked eight times. Then, of course, they didn’t get a touchdown from any unit, going 0 for 12 on third-down conversions (the first time in Payton’s 14 seasons that they have failed to convert a third down), though they were 1 for 3 on fourth downs. They gained a mere 164 yards, which helped the Dolphins to possess the ball nearly eight minutes longer than they did and to start their drives on average at their 29-yard line to the Saints 23-yard line for their starting point. The Saints gave the ball away twice – including a Pick 6 on Book’s second NFL pass that gave the Dolphins (8-7) all the points they would need less than five minutes into the game.

“We have a short week and two important games coming up, two division games (against Carolina and at Atlanta) that are going to be important relative to the NFC.” “This is a game that we are going to want to quickly get behind us,” Payton said. With Payton returning against the Dolphins amid the player losses, if they could take the ball away more than they gave it away, if they possessed the ball more than their opponent, if they played consistently on offense with a shorter field than they defended, if they could supplement a hamstrung offense with a touchdown from the defense or special teams they might be able to produce another improbable and inspiring victory.īut they did anything but in a 20-3 defeat that dropped them to 7-8, leaving them essentially no margin for error in their final two games if they are going to grab a wild-card playoff spot. They weren’t depleted in that game, but they were short-handed, playing on the road against the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who were trying to clinch the NFC South title.Įven in the absence of head coach Sean Payton, who stayed home while recovering from COVID, they claimed an inspiring 9-0 victory. Their chances of victory in the Caesars Superdome were slim against a team that had won six games in a row, but their psyche was bolstered by an improbable victory eight days earlier. They would be starting their fourth quarterback this season – rookie fourth-round draft choice Ian Book, who hadn’t played a down in the NFL.Īdditionally they would be missing three-fifths of their starting offensive line, their top two tight ends, their top two linebackers, a starting safety, a few backup defensive linemen and two special team stalwarts – as well as their special teams coordinator.

#Dolphins vs saints score series#

NEW ORLEANS – The New Orleans Saints entered their game against the Miami Dolphins on Monday night with a depleted roster due to a rash of players testing positive for COVID-19 on top of a series of injuries. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) is tackled by Miami Dolphins inside linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (43) and outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips (15) during the second half at Caesars Superdome (Photo: Stephen Lew).