3 Dolphins to blame for Wild Card loss

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - JANUARY 15: Head coach Mike McDaniel of the Miami Dolphins reacts during the second half of the game against the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Wild Card playoff game at Highmark Stadium on January 15, 2023 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /

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Miami Dolphins defensive coordinator Josh Boyer is seen on the sidelines during the football game between the New York Jets and host Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, January 8, 2023, in Miami Gardens, FL. /

The Miami Dolphins missed out on the chance to pull off an upset to the Buffalo Bills, losing 34-31 in the Wild Card round. These three Dolphins are the most to blame for the loss.

No one gave the Miami Dolphins a chance in the Wild Card Round. They were starting rookie third-string quarterback Skylar Thompson, as Tua Tagovailoa was dealing with a concussion and Teddy Bridgewater was available as an emergency option after dislocating his finger. They had to face off against the Buffalo Bills, who can be considered the favorites to make it to the Super Bowl out of the AFC.

Credit where credit is due, the Dolphins put up a fight, even holding a 24-20 lead in the third quarter. However, the Bills overcame that deficit and were able to sneak away with the 34-31 victory.

While there were positives to take from this game, Miami cost themselves a chance to secure their first playoff win since 2000. When it comes to who is to blame for the loss, these three Dolphins stand out.

3 Dolphins to blame for Wild Card loss, No. 3: Josh Boyer, DC

Let’s start off with Miami defensive coordinator Josh Boyer.

While yes, the defense was able to pick off Bills quarterback Josh Allen twice in the game, and force him to lose a fumble later on, Boyer’s scheme caught the attention of the viewing audience. Throughout the game, Boyer called cover-zero blitz plays. As NFL Network’s Cameron Wolfe points out, Miami’s defense did have a few injuries and had trouble covering top-tier wide receivers.

Dolphins DC Josh Boyer continues to call a lot of cover-0 blitzes for a defense that has been depleted by a few injuries and has trouble covering elite WRs man-to-man.

Defense not executing. But bigger element is Josh Allen & Bills EXPOSING Dolphins scheme choices.
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) January 15, 2023

Stefon Diggs had a huge game, catching seven of nine targets from Allen for 114 yards. Gabe Davis had a big game as well, catching six of nine passes for 113 yards and a touchdown.

Boyer’s defense surrendered 423 yards of offense, 25 first downs (16 passing first downs), and an average of 5.9 yards per play.

The Dolphins were able to get to Allen, however, recording 13 quarterback hits and seven sacks for a loss of 36 yards. But, given how close the game was, what if Boyer called less cover-zero blitzes? Maybe fans would have seen a different end result.

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