MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 24: Head coach Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos talks to Russell Wilson #3 of the Denver Broncos prior to a game against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on September 24, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)Photo: Megan Briggs / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
The Broncos got blown out by the Dolphins 70-20. The recap and postgame interviews are below.
Broncos won the coin toss and deferred to the 2nd half.
The explosive offense for the Dolphins showed up quickly as, after a first down completion to TE Durham Smyth, a miscommunication in the secondary lead to a Tyreek Hill 54-yard touchdown. Only 1:23 into the game, Miami took an early 7-0 lead.
So, now in an quick hole, the Broncos offense took the field and went 3-and-out after a deep incompletion to Courtland Sutton.
The Miami offense started their 2nd drive at their own 19 yard line and quickly went down the field again, punching it from eight yards out with rookie running back Devon Achane. The Dolphins were pouring it on early with a 14-0 lead with 6:31 remaining in the 1st quarter.
Now, the Broncos offense needed to get on track and they did with a great mix of play action passing and the run game. Jeudy, Sutton and Javonte contributed as the Broncos offense moved briskly down the field and, from the 12 yard line on 3rd and 6, Russell Wilson found Courtland Sutton in the back of the end zone for their first score of the game. Denver cut into the Miami lead, now 14-7 with 1:12 remaining in the 1st quarter.
The Dolphins, back on the field for their 3rd drive, started at their own 25 yard line and between Tyreek Hill and Raheem Mostert, the offense had no problem moving quickly into Denver territory. A pair holding penalties against the Dolphins gave the Broncos some brief respite but it didn't seem to slow Miami down very much as they, once again, score a touchdown. DeVon Achane, got his second touchdown of the game, this time on a shovel pass from Tua Tagovailoa. It was now 21-7 with 10:16 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
The Broncos offense, trailing by two scores again, were tasked with trying to keep this game close and moved efficiently down the field that included a huge 38 yard reception by rookie Marvin Mims. Courtland Sutton initially looked like he got his second touchdown of the game but a ticky tack OPI call went against Brandon Johnson negating a huge score. Denver settled for a 31 yard Field Goal, cutting the lead to 21-10 with 6:36 remaining in the 2nd quarter.
Disappointed to only get 3 on an impressive drive, the Broncos defense needed to make a play and boy did they. Mike McDaniel gambled at his own 34 yard line on 4th and 1. Alex Singleton knifed through the offensive line and stopped the Dolphins FB Alec Ingold from getting the necessary yardage.
Unfortunately, the Broncos offense lost yardage on their next possession and, after going 3 and out, were forced to punt from the Dolphins 40 yard line. So with 3:09 remaining in the first half, the Dolphins offense was back on the field looking to build on their lead.
And build on the lead they did. It only took 6 plays and the Dolphins drove the length of the field, 68 yards, and punched it in with a Raheem Mostert 20 yard run.
Denver's offense was hoping to get some kind of score before the half but instead Courtland Sutton fumbled the ball with the Dolphins defense running it back to the 3 yard line. Raheem Mostert punched it in again, extending the Miami lead to 35-10.
With a final chance before halftime, the Broncos offense got some more help from Courtland Sutton for 20 yards and rookie Marvin Mims as he came up with a 30 yard reception to put the Broncos 1st and goal at the Miami 5 yard line. ANOTHER touchdown was wiped off the board by a penalty by Brandon Johnson and the Broncos settled for a field goal, cutting into the Miami lead 35-13 at halftime.
Broncos got the ball to start the 3rd quarter but could only muster one first down and eventually punted from their own 41 yard line.
Miami, starting from their own 10 yard line, strung together a 11-play 90 yard drive and punched it in from 1 yard out with Raheem Mostert, his 3rd touchdown of the game. Dolphins extend their lead 42-13 with 4:29 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Denver's offense moved quickly down the field on their next drive with a hope to cut into the lead but Courtland Sutton, after catching a shallow pass, took it 29 yards down the field and fumbled the ball again, giving Miami the ball back at their own 23 yard line, leading 42-13 with 5:13 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
Once again, the Dolphins offense had no problem moving down the field on a 9-play drive to go ahead 49-13 with a Raheem Mostert 19 yard catch and run touchdown.
Russell Wilson had his first pass of the next drive tipped and intercepted which set up Miami in a goal to go situation. DeVon Achane caught a shovel pass and easily walked into the end zone to put the Dolphins up 56-13.
That more/less put a wrap on the game even though there was still 14:55 remaining. Mike White took over for the Dolphins after the Broncos offense went 3 and out.
Robbie Chosen beat Pat Surtain for a 67 yard touchdown to give the Dolphins a 63-13 lead, Marvin Mims returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown and DeVon Achane had a 67-yard run for a touchdown giving the final score an unbelievable 70-20.
The next broadcast will be on Sunday, October 1st as the Broncos will be on the road to face the Chicago Bears. Coverage begins at 7am MTN.
Postgame interviews with Sean Payton and Russell Wilson with Voice of the Broncos Dave Logan