The Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns met in Week 17. We reacted to everything as it happened.
The Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns faced off in Week 17 of the 2024 NFL season, with the Dolphins looking to keep their playoff chances alive with a win. Miami entered the weekend needing to win each of their final two games, and hope for help from around the league to continue to climb back into the AFC playoff picture. The help started coming earlier in the week, with the Cincinnati Bengals beating the Denver Broncos and the New York Giants beating the Indianapolis Colts.
Those results brought Miami’s scenario to a fairly simple one. If they could win in each of their final two games, and have the Denver Broncos lose to the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18, Miami would find themselves in the postseason for the third straight season.
They did the first step of what they needed to do, coming away with the victory over the Browns. It was not a clean victory, with way too many penalties, especially in the first half, but the W counts the same in the record, they have reached .500 on the year, and they have a clear path to the postseason. Can they win against the Jets and can the Chiefs – who likely will be resting their starters – beat the Broncos?
If that happens, Miami will be traveling to the Buffalo Bills for a third meeting with their AFC East rivals.
Final Score
Dolphins 20 – 3 Browns
Immediate Reactions
First Quarter
Dolphins first possession (7 plays, 16 yards)
Miami opened the game with the ball and immediately moved forward on a run from running back De’Von Achane for nine yards. On the second play, he added another yards to convert for the first down, then added six more yards on the third play of the drive. After a false start penalty on fullback Alec Ingold moved the Dolphins into a 2nd-and-9, Miami converted with a 15-yard pass from quarterback Tyler Huntley, starting in place of the injured Tua Tagovailoa, to wide receiver Tyreek Hill – but an unnecessary roughness penalty backed Miami up 15 yards after the play. An early snap past Huntley in the shotgun pushed the Dolphins back again, leading to a 2nd-and-19. Miami gained 13 yards on the next two plays and punted.
Not exactly the start the Dolphins need in a must-win game. Everything seems to be falling into place for Miami, but they have to win this week and next to keep those hopes alive. Huntley has to find a way to put up points – something the offense struggled to do when he was starting earlier this year. This may prove to be a defensive battle.
Browns first possession (3 plays, 4 yards)
The Dolphins defense stepped up and stuffed the Browns, giving up just four yards on a pass from quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson to Jerry Jeudy on second down. Cleveland punted on a three-and-out drive.
Okay, the defense came out looking to make a statement. They are going to have to keep it up all game, especially if the offense continues to look like it did in the first drive.
Dolphins second possession (7 plays, 26 yards)
The Dolphins came out looking to make a better statement with their second possession. They began with a 10-yard pass to Hill, then, two plays later, tight end Jonnu Smith turned a pass at the line of scrimmage into a 12-yard gain and a first down. On 3rd-and-8 later in the drive, Miami looked like they converted with a 16-yard pass to Achane, but a holding penalty on center Aaron Brewer backed Miami into a 3rd-and-18. Achane took a pass in the flat and turned it into a 12-yard gain, but the Dolphins had to settle for a field goal – with kicker Jason Sanders bouncing the ball off the crossbar for the score.
Still not a statement drive, but at least they got some points. The Dolphins cannot fall back into the penalty-heavy team they were earlier in the year. The Huntley led offense is not going to be able to make up for repeated penalties and self-inflicted mistakes. They have to settle down quickly.
Dolphins 3-0.
Browns second possession
The Browns picked up two quick first downs with an 11-yard pass to tight end Jordan Akins and a defensive holding penalty on Miami cornerback Storm Duck. After starting at their own 27-yard line, Cleveland was suddenly at their 44-yard line and gaining momentum. Some short gains nickel-and-dimed the ball down to the Miami 41-yard line before a 15-yard Thompson-Robinson pass to Jeudy and a 19-yard run from running back Jerome Ford moved Cleveland to a 1st-and-Goal at the Miami seven-yard line as the first quarter ended.
Second Quarter
Browns second possession (continued) (14 plays, 66 yards)
The Dolphins defense stiffened there, leading to a 25-yard field goal.
Not sure whet was happening there. The Dolphins defense made some good plays, but then also gave up some big plays. The Duck penalty was unfortunate, but he was going to be beaten if he did not hold, so it made sense. Again, Miami’s offense is not the high-powered system it was last year, nor is it anywhere near the efficiency it has when Tagovailoa is on the field. The defense cannot afford to give up big plays and think the offense can make up for it.
Tied 3-3.
Dolphins third possession (4 plays, 26 yards)
Huntley fired a quick slant to Hill on first down, picking up 25 yards on the play, as Miami looked more like the typical Dolphins offense for a second. A three-yard run from Achane on the next play was then followed by a two-yard loss, however, setting up a 3rd-and-9. Pressure forced Huntley to scramble and throw the ball away, leading to a Miami punt.
The first play looked right. The rest of the drive looked like the expected offense without Tagovailoa. Just not good enough.
Browns third possession (3 plays, 0 yards)
Thompson-Robinson threw on three-straight plays, with all three falling incomplete. The Browns punted on the three-and-out, with the kick traveling 68 yards. Hill, in as the punt returner, was able to picked up 18 yards after the monster kick.
Great job by the defense, getting pressure and forcing incomplete throws. And, perfect time for Hill to be back for the punt return to try to make up for some of the ridiculous 68-yard kick.
Dolphins fourth possession (4 plays, 17 yards)
A 14-yard pass to Hill started the drive, but the second play was an attempted end around from wide receiver Malik Washington that developed slowly and the Browns reacted for an 11-yard loss. Huntley picked back up seven yards on a scramble, then threw a screen to Achane for seven yards, but the Dolphins were forced to punt again.
Miami is making plays – and then completely undoing their gains with bad plays, penalties, or mistakes. They just cannot grab the momentum. Huntley is 8-for-10 for 102 yards with a 109.2 passer rating right now, but the Dolphins have just 124 total yards and have given up four penalties for 35 yards.
Browns fourth possession (6 plays, 28 yards)
After an unnecessary roughness penalty on the Browns for the returning blocking after making a fair-catch signal, Cleveland began at their five-yard line. Running back D’Onta Foreman gained nine yards on two straight carries to bring up 3rd-and-1, then converted the first down with a five-yard carry. A Ford run gained no yardage, but the Browns were backed up to their 10-yard line with a holding penalty; Ford was injured on the play as he was cut down at the line of scrimmage. Thompson-Robinson found Jeudy for a 17-yard gain, then Foreman added six yards on another carry. On 1st-and-10, Thompson-Robinson looked deep for Jeudy, but linebacker Tyrel Dodson picked off the pass to give the ball back to Miami.
There you go, defense! Way to make a play and give the offense a chance to make the play. Dodson was penalized after the pick for taking off his helmet, moving the ball back from midfield to the 35-yard line, but it was a great stop and now the offense needs to do something.
Dolphins fifth possession (3 plays, -9 yards)
Starting at their 35-yard line after the penalty on Dodson, Huntley through to Hill for five yards, only to have left tackle Terron Armstead called for a holding penalty on the next snap. Huntley was then sacked for a seven-yard loss, with tackle Kendall Lamm then flagged for a false start. After an eight-yard gain on a pass to wide receiver Dee Eskridge, the Dolphins were forced to punt from their own 26-yard line after the two-minute warning.
Penalties. Penalties. Penalties. The team has 130 yards of offense right now, and has given away half that number, 65 yards, in penalty yardage. This has to stop, immediately.
Browns fifth possession (6 plays, 20 yards)
Foreman picked up 11 yards on two carries to start the possession before a pass attempt bounced at his feet. A one-yard pass and an eight-yard pass on the next two plays brought up 4th-and-1 from the Miami 38-yard line. After a Dolphins timeout, Cleveland elected to go for it, with Foreman stuffed in the backfield by defensive tackle Calais Campbell and linebacker Quinton Bell for Miami to take over on downs.
The defense again did enough to get the offense the ball, but now the offense needs to do something with it.
Dolphins sixth possession (5 plays, 41 yards)
Miami began at their 38-yard line, with two timeouts and 40 seconds remaining. Huntley threw toward Smith, with cornerback Martin Emerson appearing to make the interception, but was flagged for pass interference. Huntley then threw short to Washington, who turned it into a 12 yard gain. After a Miami called a time out, Washington gained another seven yards on a pass. The Dolphins used their third timeout after the gain, with Washington then gaining another nine yards, with Huntley able to spike the ball with one second remaining. Sanders ended the half with a 39-yard field goal.
Miami executed perfectly on that drive. They got lucky on the spike as Hill nearly did not make it back on side in time for Huntley to spike it. Sanders continues to be money, connecting on his 25th straight field goal attempt.
Dolphins 6-3.
Halftime Thoughts
There is not a lot to say about the first half other than the Dolphins have to clean up the penalties. Huntley is playing fairly well, but penalties are just crushing anything Miami tries to do. Every step forward seems to be matched by a step back right now. The Dolphins have 158 yards of offense and have given up 65 yards in penalties. They have been flagged seven times. Just not acceptable.
Miami needs to put this game away quickly. There is way too much riding on this game for them to allow the Browns to hang around throughout the second half. The defense has to come out and make a play in Cleveland’s first possession of the second half and then the offense has to put up points.
Third Quarter
Browns sixth possession (3 plays, 4 yards)
Starting with the ball in the second half, the Browns went three-and-out, in large part thanks to a blocked pass by a blizting cornerback Kader Kohou. Kohou then made an immediate stop on a four-yard pass to Jeudy. After Jeudy dropped the third-down pass, Cleveland punted.
Kohou setting the tone early in the half. Now if the offense can put up some points, maybe Miami can start to run away with this game.
Dolphins seventh possession (6 plays, 72 yards)
Miami opened their first drive of the second half with a 13-yard pass from Huntley to Hill, with an additional 15 yards coming on a facemask penalty against Cleveland. Washington took a short pass for 13 yards on the next snap, followed three plays later by a 16-yard pass from Huntley to Cracraft to bring up 1st-and-10 from the Browns’ 13-yard line. Huntley then scrambled out of the pocket, directed blocks, and found the endzone himself to extend Miami’s lead.
We all had a QB rushing touchdown on our bingo cards, right?
— The Phinsider (@thephinsider) December 29, 2024
There we go! A quarterback rushing touchdown was not the expected route for Miami to score, but it works and the Dolphins are up 10 now. Huntley has looked sharp and decisive throughout this game. If the team can figure out the penalty issue, they have a chance to come away with a solid win and make Week 18 mean something.
Dolphins 13-3.
Browns seventh possession (3 plays, -14 yards)
Miami’s defense forced an incomplete pass, stopped Thompson-Robinson on a scramble after two yards, then, after a false start penalty, Campbell got to Thompson-Robinson on what should have been a sack. As the quarterback was spun around, he threw the ball out of bounds, turning the sack into an intentional grounding penalty. Cleveland punted on the three-and-out drive.
The defense is starting to attack. They smell blood in the water and they are going to feast at this rate. Campbell got screwed on what should have been a sack – is in the grasp not a thing anymore?
Dolphins eighth possession (3 plays, 1 yard)
An eight-yard gain from running back Raheem Mostert on first down seemed to set up Miami for another good drive, but a second Mostert run for no gain set up 3rd-and-2. Defensive end Myles Garrett abused left tackle Patrick Paul, replacing the injured Terron Armstead, and sacked Huntley for a seven-yard loss. Miami punted on the three-and-out possession.
Miami looked like they were set to get their drive in motion, but Garrett absolutely took Paul to school and ended any chance Miami had of scoring on back-to-back possessions. The defense has to step up now and give the offense another shot at extending this lead.
Browns eighth possession (6 playu=s, 14 yards)
Starting at their own 30-yard line, Cleveland quickly jumped out to the Miami 45-yard line on four plays and a Miami defensive holding penalty on defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand. From there, though, the defense decided that was enough, with Campbell tackling Thompson-Robinson on a designed run for a three-yard loss, followed immediately by linebacker Emmanuel Ogbah strip-sacking Thompson-Robinson and with Hand recovering the loose ball.
Miami now begins with the ball at the Browns’ 45-yard line as the defense stepped up. They have to come away with points here.
Dolphins ninth possession (4 plays, 7 yards)
The drive started with a Huntley pass for six yards to Hill. After a Mostert loss of one, Huntley scrambled away from Garrett and picked up four yards, setting up 4th-and-1. After Miami challenged the play, but it stood as a fourth down, the Dolphins attempted the fourth-down conversion, but Achane was stopped for a two-yard loss. Miami turned it over on downs.
That still feels like it should have been a first down. Huntley reached out and appeared to get to the marker, but the play stood with not enough evidence to overturn the ruling on the field. Not sure why the Dolphins tried to get fancy on the fourth-down play, but they did and now it will be on the defense to make another stop.
Browns ninth possession
Thompson-Robinson threw to Akins on first down, picking up 11 yards. The next play appeared to be a backwards pass, but the referees called it incomplete and then the play stood as the Dolphins challenged the call. Running back Pierre Strong picked up 20 yards on the next play, breaking through the defense on the left side before being pushed out of bounds. Three plays later, the Browns benefitted from a horrible unnecessary roughness penalty on linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who made a tackle and was flagged for it. The penalty moved Cleveland to the Dolphins’ nine-yard line. After a five-yard run from Foreman, the quarter ended.
Fourth Quarter
Browns ninth possession (continued) (11 plays, 59 yards)
An incomplete pass and a one-yard gain set up 4th-and-Goal from the Miami three-yard line.
The challenges not being overturned are one thing. The unnecessary roughness penalty was just horrible. That should never have been a penalty. A linebacker made a tackle and it was somehow illegal. Just absolutely wrong call. At least the Dolphins defense stepped up and kept the Browns from scoring. Now the offense needs to shove this down the Browns’ and refs’ throats.
Dolphins tenth possession (3 plays, 5 yards)
Miami did nothing starting with the ball at their own three-yard line. A one-yard gain from Achane on first down was followed by a quick pass to Washington, but the receiver dropped the pass. Miami elected to just run the ball up the middle on 3rd-and-9, giving punter Jake Bailey space to make the kick.
The drop was painful. The Dolphins probably made the right choice in just electing for the punt, given they are up 10 points. Bailey shanking the kick and a penalty on gunner Siran Neal for running out of bounds was not in the cards, however. The defense has to buckle down immediately as the Browns start in Miami territory.
Browns tenth possession (3 plays, -9 yards)
Beginning at the Miami 45-yard line after the short punt and a penalty, the Browns moved backwards with a penalty on second down for illegal motion, then another penalty for intentional grounding on the second second-down play as safety Jevon Holland blitzed and pressured Thompson-Robinson. On 3rd-and-24, the Browns picked up five yards, setting up a punt on 4th-and-19.
Defense did what was needed – assisted by the penalties. Holland’s blitz was perfectly done. Of course, Washington makes a 23-yard return, but a holding penalty on Neal backed the Dolphins up.
Okay. Achane time. Offensive line has to figure it out right now. Just chew clock.
— The Phinsider (@thephinsider) December 29, 2024
Dolphins 11th possession (8 plays, 32 yards)
Miami looked to chew up some of the clock with their 11th drive of the day, turning to Mostert and running back Jeff Wilson, Jr. Instead, it proved to be Huntley and his ability to run that did the most damage for the Dolphins as they worked the clock. On an eight-play, 32-yard possession that ate 5:30 off the clock, Huntley ran for 29 yards. He also lost five yards on two sacks, but the clock kept running. Miami punted, and even that went perfectly as the ball died at the two-yard line.
Okay Dolphins. It was not the scoring drive or the long possession to crush the clock, but it was well done and the punt was perfect.
Browns 11th possession (7 plays, 19 yards)
Starting at the two-yard line, the Browns moved out to the 10-yard line, but the third intentional grounding penalty of the day on Thompson-Robinson moved Cleveland back to the three-yard line. After a 15-yard gain on a pass to Akins, Thompson-Robinson threw to wide receiver Michael Woods for three yards on 4th-and-5, giving the Dolphins back the ball.
That punt was so perfect. Now the Dolphins should put up points and put this game away.
Dolphins 12th possession (4 plays, 21 yards)
Miami began the drive with a two-yard run from Wilson, forcing the Browns to use a timeout. Then a short pass to Hill turned into a 13-yard gain with the receiver dropping to the turf just before being forced out of bounds. The Browns used their second timeout, with Miami running the ball with Wilson for a one-yard loss on the next play, leading to Cleveland timeout number three. Huntley then threw a short pass to Smith, who turned up field and found the pylon for the touchdown, locking the game up for Miami.
Well done. Make the Browns use their timeouts, then score. Even if the drive last only 18 seconds of game time, it was perfect.
Dolphins 20-3.
Browns 12th possession (12 plays, 53 yards)
The Browns began at their own 30-yard line, needing to score 17 points in 3:38 with no timeouts. They were able to move down the field against the Dolphins, highlighted by a 17-yard pass from Thompson-Robinson to Jeudy on a 2nd-and-2 from the Dolphins’ 39-yard line, but Miami was settling into a prevent-style defense and letting the Browns run the clock. At the Dolphins’ 17-yard line, the Browns failed on three-straight passes and turned the ball over.
There we go! The Dolphins are doing what they need to do to make it to the playoffs. It has not been the ideal year, but Miami is in the hunt with one game remaining. Good win, even if it was not the prettiest performance. Now the question will focus on the availability of Tagovailoa for next week.
Dolphins 13th possession (1 play, -1 yard)
Huntley knelt to kill the clock.