In a game between two of the NFL’s hottest teams, the Miami Dolphins played host to the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs in week 14. Up to the task on defense, the Dolphins forced Patrick Mahomes and the high powered Kansas City passing attack into four turnovers in one of their finest performances of the season.
Ultimately overcome by injuries on the offensive side of the ball. Brian Flores’s group would find themselves trailing 30-10 late in the third quarter. Able to come back and make it a game down the stretch, Miami was able to prove they are for real in a loaded AFC playoff race.
First Quarter
Receiving the ball first after the Chiefs won the opening kickoff, the Dolphins could not muster up any offense on their opening drive. Starting running back Deandre Washington picked up one yard in between two incomplete passes from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, leading to a punt. Opening up their first possession of the game on their own 20-yard line, the Chiefs were able to move the ball with ease like they have all season long. After back to back completions to running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire for 16 yards and to tight end Travis Kelce for 17 yards, the team found themselves deep inside Miami territory.
After back to back completions to running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire for 16 yards and to tight end Travis Kelce for 17 yards, the team found themselves deep inside Miami territory. Following an 11 yard burst by Leveon Bell to set up first and ten inside the Dolphins red zone, a rare mistake would cost the Chiefs points. Looking for Kelce after an illegal shift penalty on first down, Mahomes pass would be popped up in the air and intercepted by cornerback Byron Jones. Looking to cash in off the turnover, the Dolphins offense would be on the move. Needing just five plays to work the ball inside their opponent’s territory, the drive would ultimately stall out after an incomplete pass by Tagovailoa on third down. Forced to settle for a field goal, a rare miss by kicker Jason Sanders would see the game remain scoreless.
Sloppy Play
Sloppy on their second drive of the game’s opening quarter, Mahomes’ fumble on first down would set the Chiefs up behind the sticks. Unable to move the ball on their next two plays, a sack on third down forced the Chiefs to punt the ball back to the Dolphins once again. Looking to open the scoring and take an early lead, Miami finally was able to find the back of the end zone as the opening 15 minutes winded down. Finding tight end Mike Gesicki multiple times on the drive, an eight-yard strike by Tagovailoa to the tight end gave his team a 7-0 advantage. Looking to respond off the turnover, a 37-yard catch and run kickstarted the Chiefs drive. Set up with first and ten from the Dolphins’ 38-yard line, Mahomes looked short to Edwards-Helaire but overthrew him, and safety Eric Rowe came up with the interception.
Second Quarter
On the move on offense as the second quarter began, Tagovailoa found receiver Mack Hollins for a ten yard gain, followed by a 14-yard strike to running back Lynn Bowden. Adding a two-yard strike into Jakeen Grant, the Dolphin’s drive would again stall out, leading to Sanders’s 31-yard field goal to extend their lead to 10-0. Able to move the ball efficiently on their next drive, back to back receptions by Kelce set up the Chiefs to cut into the deficit. After an 11 yard reception by Demarcus Robinson on second and one from the Miami 45 yard line, Tyreek Hill got his first touch of the game. Electrifying with the football, Hill took the ball on and end around play and tip-toed down the sideline for a 32-yard score.
Following back to back punts by both teams, a rare interception by the Dolphins rookie signal-caller would cost the team points. Following an 11 yard strike to Grant to kickstart the drive, Tua was pressured on 3rd and seven from his own 37-yard line forcing the young rookie to roll out of the pocket. Looking downfield for Grant, the ball would bounce off the receiver’s hands, leading safety Tyrann Mathieu to come away with the interception. Starting on their 26-yard line following the interception, a 15-yard strike to Kelce got the Chief’s drive going once again.
End of Half Efficiency
After a late hit penalty by Andrew Van Ginkel, a pass to Bell picked up nine more yards before the two-minute warning. Picking up eight more yards on a Bell rush, the team would waste no time as a six-yard strike from Mahomes to Kelce gave the Chiefs their first lead of the day at 14-10. Looking to see if they could score quickly before the half, the Dolphins moved the ball to midfield. However, a sack by Chiefs pass-rusher Frank Clark led Miami to let the clock expire.
Third Quarter
Looking to extend their lead as they opened up the second half, Mahomes would find Edwards-Helaire for 26 yards to start off the drive. Needing just two plays to find the end zone, a 44-yard strike to Hill extended the Chief’s lead to eleven at 21-10. Following a quick three and out by the Dolphins, Kansas City’s special teams unit would make an impact play. Returning the punt 67 yards for a touchdown, Mecole Hardman put his team up 28-10. After punts by both teams on the game’s ensuing possessions, Miami would be pinned inside their own ten-yard line as they looked to get back into the game. Starting off the drive with a jet sweep pass to Bowden, Tagovailoa would be sacked in the end zone for a safety on the next play.
Forced to punt on their adjoining drive following the safety, Mahomes threw an incomplete pass deep on third and five. Starting the quarter’s final possession with a seven-yard scamper by Washington, Tagovailoa then found Bowden for 11 yards on back to back throws. Unable to keep the drive going as they crossed midfield, Tua was sacked on third and eight from the Chiefs 49-yard line, leading to a punt.
Fourth Quarter
Trying to put the game away in the final moments, Kansas City moved the ball deep into Miami territory. Finding his star tight end for 32 yards on a deep crossing route, Edwards-Helaire then picked up two yards on 1st-and-10 from the Chiefs 49-yard line. Looking deep for Hill after a 12-yard scamper by the Chiefs rookie back, Mahomes would throw his third interception of the day on a highlight-reel play by cornerback Xavien Howard. Moving into no-huddle on their next drive, Tagovailoa found Gesicki for 13 yards and Mack Hollins for 23 yards. Set up with first and ten just outside the Chiefs red zone, a 29-yard strike to Gesicki up the seam cut the Kansas City lead to 13 at 30-17.
After Kansas City was forced to punt on their next drive, the Dolphins began their drive at their own 25-yard line as they looked to trim the lead to single digits. Orchestrating a 17 play 61-yard drive, the team would convert two-thirds down before Tagovailoa capped off the march with a one-yard touchdown plunge. Looking to eat the clock and protect their one-score lead, the Chiefs would utilize their rookie first-round pick. Picking up 11 yards on the drive’s first two plays, a facemask penalty on Howard gave Andy Reid‘s group the ball at the Miami 49 yard line. Faced with a fourth and one after Edwards-Helaire was stacked up on third and short, the team would elect to go for it. Converting on a 22-yard pick play to Hill, Kansas City was set up inside the Dolphins red zone.
Frantic Final Moments
Losing 11 yards on their next two offensive plays, the Chiefs would settle for a 46-yard field goal by Harrison Butker to extend their lead to nine at 33-24. Fighting back like they did all game long, Brian Flores’s group would refuse to go away quietly. Moving quickly, Tua picked up nine yards on a first down scramble. Looking deep a few plays later, the rookie signal-caller would draw a pass interference penalty, setting his team up at their opponent’s 48-yard line. Finding Bowden for 22 yards on the game’s next play, a 44-yard field goal by Sanders pulled Miami to six. Needing an onside kick to have a chance at tying the game up with just 16 seconds to play in regulation, the kickoff would be recovered by Demarcus Robinson to spoil the Dolphins comeback bid.
Highlights
.@Tua rolls out and delivers a TD to @MikeGesicki! #FinsUp
📺: #KCvsMIA on CBS
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Only a @Cheetah can run this fast. #ChiefsKingdom
📺: #KCvsMIA on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/tvMsTDEOAi pic.twitter.com/oIDq7KTlR6— NFL (@NFL) December 13, 2020
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There goes the @Cheetah again 🔥
21 unanswered for the @Chiefs. #ChiefsKingdom
📺: #KCvsMIA on CBS
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XAVIEN HOWARD.
His ninth INT of the season might be his best one yet 😱 #FinsUp
📺: #KCvsMIA on CBS
📱: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/tvMsTDEOAi pic.twitter.com/THRV5cJxxn— NFL (@NFL) December 13, 2020
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Looking for their 13th win of the season next Sunday as they look to hold onto the number one seed in the AFC, the Chiefs travel to New Orleans to battle the Saints at 4:25 pm. Shocked on Sunday at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles, Sean Payton‘s group lost just their third game of the season, knocking them out of the one seed in the NFC. Extra motivated heading into this one, the Saints could welcome the return of Drew Brees. Nearing return after a ribs injury early on in the season, the 40-year-old would provide an instant boost to the team’s offense in a potential game of the year candidate.
Treading water as the final wildcard team in the AFC playoffs, the Dolphins will return home to battle their divisional rival New England Patriots next Sunday. On the outside looking in for the first time in a long time, Bill Belichick’s team could play spoiler to Miami’s playoff hopes, making this a very important game for the conference’s playoff picture.
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