Broncos @ Dolphins
Final Score: Dolphins 70, Broncos 20
Writer: Justin Herrera (@semtexmex93 on Twitter)
I personally have witnessed some bad beatdowns. I’ve seen my teams dish them out, and I’ve seen them served. This wasn’t a beat down, this was straight murder in Miami. The Dolphins welcomed the Broncos to South Beach and got off to a strong start while never tapping the brakes once. The Broncos had no answer for the South Beach track team, and it became apparent early that this game was going to be dominated by the Fins. It’s going to be a long, awkward silent ride back to Colorado for the Broncos. The only thing missing from this game was a safety. That would’ve made the score 72 to 20, a perfect homage to the famous Undefeated Dolphins Team.
Three Up
- Devon Achane – 233 total yards and four touchdowns is quite a coming out party for a rookie!
- Raheem Mostert – When’s the last time two teammates scored four rushing touchdowns in the same game? Where’s Stat Boy when you need him?
- Tua Tagovailoa – He threw more touchdown passes than incompletions on this day.
Three Down
- Broncos Defense – It felt like they outsourced the job to Southwest Denver State University.
- Samaje Perine – His fantasy managers expect more than 5 touches and 24 total yards.
- Russell Wilson – It was far from his worst game ever, but he was clearly outclassed by Tua in this one.
Denver Broncos
Quarterback
Russell Wilson: 23/38, 306 yards, TD, INT
Russell Wilson looked really good early but as the lead grew his confidence dwindled. In the first half, Wilson completed 64% of his passes and was looking good. He showed the ability to improvise on the first drive by escaping the pocket and catching Sutton in the back of the endzone. Wilson also showed a lot of toughness getting hit on his blindside by Andrew Van Ginkel while still completing a deep pass to Marvin Mims. The second half was not so kind to Russ, as he completed 53% of his passes. He got a pass batted and intercepted at the line of scrimmage. He forced a ball into Courtland Sutton that was fumbled, and he threw into double coverage twice; he was nearly intercepted both times. The Broncos and Russ are 0-3 and need to start figuring some things out before next week’s visit to Soldier Field.
Notes
- It was a tale of two halves with Russ; the offense actually looked okay going into halftime.
- Sean Payton needs to get Russ into more play-action situations; he’s best when outside the pocket.
Running Back
Javonte Williams: 11 carries, 42 yards | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 23 yards
Javonte Williams looked good going up the middle. He broke a lot of tackles and opened up the offense. My favorite play of the night for him was a 17-yard catch where he broke two tackles; if not for a high tackle for Jevon Holland, it would’ve been a house call. Williams needed more touches in this game. The one negative is he’s not a very agile lateral runner, he’s much more of a straight-ahead type of back.
Notes
- The Broncos were better when he was actively involved in the gameplan.
Missed Opportunities
- 17-yard catch that was one broken tackle away from being a TD.
Jaleel McLaughlin: 5 carries, 15 yards
Samaje Perine: 3 carries, 9 yards | 3 targets, 2 receptions, 15 yards
We expected to see more utilization in the passing game as well as on the ground. It’s time for fantasy managers in traditional leagues to look to the waiver wire for better production.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Courtland Sutton: 11 targets, 8 receptions, 91 yards, TD
Sutton was the lead dog in this game and should’ve put up two touchdowns, but Marvin Mims had OPI called against him. Sutton made some great catches but for the most part, was just the most consistent part of this offense. He caught eight of 11 targets for 91 yards and a touchdown. A good day for Sutton, but a terrible day for Denver.
Notes
- Sutton looked like the lead dog and Russ’s number-one guy.
Missed Opportunities
- OPI stopped Sutton from scoring again.
- Bobbled a 20-yard catch on 3rd down, leading to the end of the drive.
- Fumbled.
Jerry Jeudy: 7 targets, 5 receptions, 81 yards
Jeudy played well, catching five of his seven targets for 81 yards. He worked the middle of the field for most of the game and had a walk-in touchdown called back due to a penalty. Jeudy could’ve gotten more involved in this game early but as the hole got deeper, the team felt the need to push it downfield to Mims and Sutton with more regularity.
Missed Opportunities
- Jeudy would’ve had a walk-in touchdown if not for an illegal motion penalty by Mims.
Marvin Mims Jr : 5 targets, 3 receptions, 73 yards | 1 carry, 3 yards | 99 Kick Return TD
RUSS TO MARVIN MIMS WHAT A CATCH ‼️‼️ pic.twitter.com/HOXiy7bguR
— Lukas (@TGNWrestling) September 24, 2023
Marvin Mims Jr played his butt off in this game and showed that he can be an effective part of this team in more than one way. Returning a 99-yard kickoff for a touchdown is an impressive feat and it still might have only been his second most impressive on the night. To me, the best moment of his night was going up in double coverage and coming down with the football. Oh, and he also stiff-armed a corner to the shadow realm while running for a 30-yard gain. Overall a hell of a showing for the rookie; if not for Achane, he’d be the rookie of the game.
Missed Opportunities
- Mims had two penalties against him that negated two touchdowns.
Brandon Johnson: 3 targets, 2 receptions, 12 yards
Nate Adkins: 1 target, 1 reception, 11 yards
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa: 23/26, 309 yards, 3 TDs
Tua Tagovailoa ran this offense flawlessly on Sunday. When his only issue is he didn’t complete three passes, then you know he was on. Tua was quick and decisive against the Broncos, with his line giving him time to find one of his many speedster weapons. The Dolphins looked like the San Francisco 49ers against the Broncos, every reception featured tacked-on YAC, and every run had ample blockers. All of the motion employed set the receivers up for a good burst off the line, and Tua was always ready to sling it. He even threw in some Mahomes-like throws, with two no-look shovel passes that went for touchdowns. Overall it was a masterclass in Shanahan’s West Coast offense and Tua looked a lot like Joe Montana out there on Sunday.
Notes
- Tua looked like an MVP candidate with his poise and quick decision-making.
Missed Opportunities
- None
Mike White: 2/2, 67 yards, TD | 1 carry, -1 yard
Nice deep throw to Robbie Chosen for a long touchdown.
Running Back
Devon Achane: 18 carries, 203 yards, 2 TDs | 4 targets, 4 receptions, 30 yards, 2 TDs
Devon Achane might break fantasy in the very same way Tyreek Hill does every year. Achane went for 233 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns. Come Tuesday, he’ll officially be the most sought-after waiver wire guy since Antonio Brown came back with the Bucs in 2020. There was nothing Achane couldn’t do today. He took an end around for 40 yards, ran a 67-yarder to the house, untouched. Every time he had the ball it felt like it could go for a touchdown. His first carry went for 26 yards. Achane already has the awareness of a Jerick McKinnon or Travis Kelce in the red zone. He caught two shovel passes from Tua, that felt very Mahomes-esque. Achane and Mostert going forward is going to be a terrifying task for any defensive coordinator. It’s also going to be exciting for every fantasy manager.
Notes
- He’s got the speed to make defensive coordinators lose sleep.
Missed Opportunities
- The 23-yard touchdown was called back.
Raheem Mostert: 13 carries, 82 yards, 3 TDs | 7 targets, 7 receptions, 60 yards, TD
Raheem Mostert is the perfect fit for this Dolphins team. Even though he’s fast himself, Mostert was the Thunder to Achane’s lighting. He was Michael Turner if Turner was a track star. Every run that Mostert was committed, and he seemingly ran through at least one guy on his way to a positive gain. One play that stood out was a 20-yard run on which a defender bounced off him; Mostert then bounced outside and finished the touchdown run untouched. Mostert also became a big part of the receiving game, taking a quick out for an easy walk-in 19-yard touchdown.
Notes
- Mostert is scary because he welcomes contact and breaks most tackles, then uses his speed.
Chris Brooks: 9 carries, 66 yards
Chris Brooks did very well in garbage time and piled on the Broncos atrocious run defense. The Fins really have a great RB room.
Notes
- Garbage time plays, but he still was very efficient.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Tyreek Hill: 11 targets, 9 receptions, 157 yards, TD
Hill’s first catch of the game he got over the top of the defense and took a deep cross 54 yards straight to the house. Hill is a rare receiver in the sense that he’s never really covered. A couple of scenarios that were fun to watch: Hill caught a 15-yard crossing route, was tackled, but preceded to bounce up and take it for another 25 yards. The call was a tackle, but just the talent and otherworldly flexibility and speed to be stopped, change direction, and still outrun everyone on the field. He’s such a special player. On another play, he showed off his gifted hands. He was going against press coverage, handled his defender all over him on a slant, and used his hand strength to come down with a 10-yard catch and a first down.
Notes
- Unguardable, tortured the defense at every level.
Missed Opportunities
- Was barely tackled on a play that would’ve gone for 50 yards, if not more.
Robbie Chosen: 1 target, 1 reception, 68 yards, 1 TD
Chosen came in when the game was well in hand for the Dolphins and caught a 68-yard deep shot from Mike White. Piling on the miserable day Patrick Surtain II and the Broncos beat up defense.
Braxton Berrios: 2 targets, 2 receptions, 33 yards
Durham Smythe: 1 target, 1 reception, 15 yards
River Cracraft: 1 target, 1 reception, 13 yards