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After the Dolphins' resounding 70-20 victory over the Denver Broncos on Sunday, their rookie running back, De'Von Achane, found himself inundated with text messages. Actually, it wasn't just a few; it was closer to a hundred, as the rookie clarified. In the first significant role of his career, the third-round pick compiled an impressive 233 total yards and four touchdowns, which included a stunning 203 rushing yards on 18 carries. When questioned after the game whether he had accumulated more total yards or notifications on his phone, he responded with a grin, "Oh, notifications for sure," before hastily exiting the news conference room.
In what turned out to be one of the most lopsided games in NFL history, the Dolphins showcased their dominance by amassing a staggering 726 yards of offense in their home opener, solidifying their status as the league's top offense. This point total marked a new franchise record and was the highest single-game score by any NFL team since Washington put up 72 points against the New York Giants back in 1966. Remarkably, the Dolphins' offensive prowess was evident not only in their passing game but also in their ground attack, as they recorded nearly as many rushing yards (350) as passing yards (376), averaging an astonishing 10.2 yards per play in the process.
The Dolphins have been an offensive juggernaut this season, tallying 130 points in their first three games, which is the second-highest in NFL history for a team's first three games of a season. Only the 1968 Cowboys scored more with 132 points. Making history, the Dolphins became the first team ever to record five passing touchdowns and five rushing touchdowns in a single game. They also joined the exclusive club of teams that have accumulated over 700 yards of offense in a game, a feat last achieved by the Rams in 1951. Additionally, they were the first team to score 70 points while amassing 700 yards of offense and only the second team in history to achieve both 300 rushing yards and 300 passing yards in a game, according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
Dolphins' head coach Mike McDaniel praised his team's unwavering commitment to their high standards, highlighting their ability to maintain their intensity even with a significant lead. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was nearly flawless, completing his first 17 passes and finishing the game with 23 completions on 26 attempts, accumulating 309 yards and four touchdowns before being replaced in the fourth quarter. In the midst of an array of remarkable plays, Tagovailoa showcased his skill with a left-handed, no-look shovel pass to Achane for a 4-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Reflecting on their historic performance, Tagovailoa commended his team's resilience and determination, emphasizing their refusal to let up despite their commanding lead.
The Dolphins' record-breaking day began early with a 54-yard touchdown pass from Tagovailoa to Tyreek Hill on the third play of the game. They continued to score on 10 of their first 12 offensive possessions, with only a single play to end the first half disrupting their scoring spree. As the game neared its end, with 33 seconds remaining and facing fourth-and-14 from the Broncos' 28-yard line, Miami had a chance to break the single-game scoring record. However, Coach McDaniel opted for backup quarterback Mike White to take a knee, disappointing the crowd but aligning with his philosophy of focusing on the bigger picture rather than chasing records.
Running back Raheem Mostert also played a significant role, accumulating 142 total yards and four combined touchdowns, further solidifying his status as a league leader in rushing touchdowns this season. Mostert's impressive performance puts him on pace for a career-high season in both yards and touchdowns. Achane and Mostert made history as the first pair of teammates ever to each score four touchdowns from scrimmage in the same game, showcasing the depth of talent on the Dolphins' roster.
Notably, Miami achieved all of this offensive success without wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who was sidelined due to concussion protocol. Despite missing a key player, the Dolphins' offense continued to excel. Defensively, the Dolphins allowed 363 yards and pressured Broncos' quarterback Russell Wilson 20 times, resulting in three turnovers and one sack. They also limited Denver to just three third-down conversions out of 12 attempts.
Looking ahead, the Dolphins, who have started 3-0 for the second consecutive season under Coach McDaniel, will take their undefeated record into a challenging AFC East showdown against the Buffalo Bills in Week 4.
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