The WG Sport Corner
By Nunnie Robinson, Westside Sports Editor
What began as a night of great anticipation and expectation turned gradually, then emphatically into a lopsided, self-inflicted gridiron contest of horror. It began promisingly after the Bills scored on their initial drive, a simple out pass from Bills Superman quarterback Josh Allen to Miami Central and Georgia alum James Cook, who easily pranced inside the left end zone pylon, giving visiting Buffalo a lead they would never relinquish.
The Dolphins ran the ball effectively at times, utilizing motion, deception and quick outlet passes to counter a defensive scheme designed to take away the big, explosive plays that have become the Dolphins’ staple with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. Here’s the issue from my perspective: too often the Dolphins fail to maintain momentum because of their inability to sustain drives on third down offensively while simultaneously allowing Buffalo to convert crucial third downs, giving Buffalo dominance in time of possession and more offensive plays, thus more scoring opportunities via touchdowns or field goals.
Failure offensively to convert in short yardage situations, often losing yardage, is (anathema) detrimental to scoring. The Dolphins’ offensive line appears average at best, so losing starters isn’t good.
And so begins the nightmare. With the score 17-7, the Fins still in game, backups at left guard and tackle are in game when a pressured, harassed Tua attempts to throw a pass out of bounds; it is instead intercepted by Bills cornerback JaMarcus Ingram, the second of 2, and returned for a touchdown. Tua was already having a difficult game, completing 17 of 25 passes for 145 yards and 3 interceptions. The noble but ill-advised, futile effort to throw ball out of bounds ended the scoring, adding to horrific play on field. The nightmare, however, had yet to reach the depths of despair. One of the things we love about Tua is his never say die attitude and love of the game. As he gallantly attempted a comeback, a fourth down scramble for a first down near goal line epitomized the Fins’ nightmarish evening.
Tua collided head first with Bills safety Damar Hamlin, suffering a concussion that ended his night and in all probability his season. With his concussion-related history, his very NFL career is in doubt.
The Dolphins have a recent, dismal 2-12 record against divisional rival Buffalo and the road ahead becomes more daunting and foreboding. However, it’s only 2 games into the season and if we’ve learned anything, we can predict or speculate but until it happens, it’s still the future. More on Tua in NOTS. Go Fins!
