The Dolphins put on a masterclass in self-sabotage during their second offensive drive of the day against the Vikings on Sunday.
Miami drove as deep as the Minnesota 26-yard line, setting the team up for at least a field goal possession. But a barrage of self-inflicted penalties — five in seven plays — kept Miami from scoring the first points of the day.
Perhaps more impressively, the Dolphins racked up 143 yards of offense in a single drive without any points for their troubles. The kicker (literally): Miami ultimately punted from Minnesota's 42-yard line for a touchback.
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Here's a play-by-play look at how the Dolphins squandered a prime scoring opportunity at home vs. the Vikings:
- Play 1: Skylar Thompson 30-yard pass to Jaylen Waddle (first-and-10 at Miami 48)
- Play 2: Raheem Mostert 16-yard rush (first-and-10 at Minnesota 36)
- Play 3: Thompson 9-yard pass to Tyreek Hill (second-and-1 at Minnesota 27)
- Play 4: Mostert 3-yard run (first-and-10 at Minnesota 24)
- Penalty 1: Robert Hunt 5-yard false start (first-and-15 at Minnesota 24)
- Penalty 2: Thompson 20-yard pass to Trent Sherfield; Connor Williams 10-yard ineligible downfield pass (first-and-20 at Minnesota 34)
- Penalty 3: Thompson 32-yard pass to River Cracraft; Liam Eichenberg 10-yard offensive holding (first-and-30 at Minnesota 44)
- Play 5: Thompson 18-yard to Waddle (second-and-12 at Minnesota 26)
- Penalty 4: Thompson 9-yard pass to Hill; Alec Ingold 10-yard offensive pass interference (second-and-22 at Minnesota 36)
- Play 6: Thompson incomplete pass to Tanner Conner (third-and-22 at Minnesota 36)
- Penalty 5: Thompson 6-yard pass to Waddle; Sherfield 10-yard offensive holding (third-and-28 at Minnesota 42)
- Play 6: Thompson incomplete pass to Hill (fourth-and-28 at Minnesota 42)
- Play 7: Thomas Morstead 42-yard punt for touchback
So, for those counting: The Dolphins had nearly as many penalties (five) as plays (seven) and racked up 143 yards in offense without a single point. They also had an impressive 40 yards in penalties.
If the Dolphins want to avoid a three-game skid, they'll obviously need to give Thompson as much help as he can. That starts by limiting the mistakes they exhibited on that drive.
The good news: It's hard to play much worse than that in a single drive.
