Game Recap: Saints @ Dolphins

The New Orleans Saints were back in action when they faced the Miami Dolphins in Week 13. Here’s a quick look back at Sunday’s action from South Florida.

First Quarter

Despite Cam Jordan sacking Tua Tagovailoa early on in the drive, Miami made quick work of the Saints defense on the opening possession. A 13-yard pass to Darren Waller preceded a 29-yard touchdown run from De’Von Achane to give the hosts a 7-0 lead.

The teams then proceeded to take turns going three-and-out for five consecutive possessions, before Miami finally got a drive moving with a 16-yard pass from Tagovailoa to Cedrick Wilson Jr and a 34-yard connection with Darren Waller.

Second Quarter

The Dolphins continued to drive down near the red zone as the second quarter began, before a pair of incompletions from Tagovailoa forced a field goal attempt.

Riley Patterson’s 39-yard kick was good to extend the lead to 10-0.

Tyler Shough fumbled as he was sacked early on the ensuing Saints drive, but Tagovailoa’s first throw as he got the ball back was an end zone shot to Jaylen Waddle, intercepted by Kool-Aid McKinstry.

Despite the forced turnover, the Saints would go three-and-out again before punting.

Miami responded with a 10-play, 44-yard drive composed almost entirely of runs, ending in a 25-yard field goal to put them up 13-0.

Shough responded well by driving into Dolphins territory, but a short throw targeting Chris Olave was intercepted by Rasul Douglas.

The Dolphins pounced on the mistake in the final minute, extending their lead to 16-0 with another field goal on the last play of the half.

Third Quarter

The Saints quickly put their first-half woes behind them to begin the second half, with a pair of 14-yard throws from Shough to Devaughn Vele highlighting a touchdown drive capped off with a 17-yard throw floated to Olave in the end zone.

A 2-point conversion attempt was then run in by Shough.

The teams proceeded to exchange fruitless drives ending in punts for the rest of the quarter, despite Shough finding a little rhythm, as the score remained 16-8.

Fourth Quarter

Miami eventually found a score after another Saints punt, with a 22-yard pass to Waddle preceding a few runs by Achane to set up another field goal after Chase Young was able to sack Tagovailoa on third down.

New Orleans responded with a field goal of their own, as Charlie Smyth nailed a 56-yarder, his first career kick, with ease.

Trailing 19-11, the Saints defense was then able to force a huge stop on 4th-and-1 to get the ball back to the offense.

Shough continued to find Vele and Olave, as well as Devin Neal, as the visitors drove into the red zone. Shough then found Vele in the end zone for a 15-yard touchdown.

Needing another 2-point conversion to tie the game, which was snapped from the 7-yard line after a false start against Taliese Fuaga, Shough threw an interception to Minkah Fitzpatrick, who returned it to the house for Miami to add 2 points of their own.

Smyth’s onside kick attempt was then recovered by Vele, giving New Orleans a chance to win the game with a touchdown. But they failed to take advantage.

Shough couldn’t convert a QB run on 4th-and-1, securing a 21-17 win for Miami.

The Saints will now visit Tampa to take on the Buccaneers on December 7th.