MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Dolphins offense as of late has been defined by its efficiency and ability to execute late-game drives.
While the efficiency wasn’t there for much of Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa completed a pair of big third-down throws to hold off the Giants in a 20-9 win, the Dolphins’ fifth consecutive victory.
The win puts the Dolphins at 6-7 as they enter their Week 14 bye before a home game against the New York Jets with an opportunity to get back to .500 for the first time since Week 2. More importantly, it’s another chance to creep further into the AFC playoff picture.
Holding a 17-6 lead late, a 51-yard missed field goal by Jason Sanders, his sixth miss kick of the season, gave the Giants life with under nine minutes remaining. A 51-yard field goal by Giants kicker Graham Gano made it a one-score game, 17-9, with under five minutes remaining.
However, Tagovailoa, who finished 30-of-41 with 244 yards and two touchdowns, delivered a pair of completions to wide receiver DeVante Parker and tight end Mike Gesicki in tight windows to keep the offense on the field. Sanders later made a 48-yard field goal to make it a two-possession game with 1:11 left.
The Dolphins offense, which finished with 297 total yards, couldn’t do much of anything for most of the afternoon. Through three quarters, the offense had totaled just 183 yards. A 14-play, 89-yard drive that ended with a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Mack Hollins shortly before halftime gave the Dolphins a slim 10-6 lead.
The Dolphins extended the lead to 17-6 early in the fourth quarter with a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Isaiah Ford.
The Dolphins defense, facing a Giants offense without starting quarterback Daniel Jones and top receivers Kadarius Toney and Sterling Shepard, held New York to 250 total yards and 0-for-1 in the red zone. The Dolphins offense went 2-for-2 in the red zone.
