MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — — De’Von Achane’s teammates eagerly anticipate a game-changing play every time the rookie running back gets his hands on the ball.
Achane delivered on Sunday with a sensational 76-yard rushing touchdown, propelling the Miami Dolphins to a commanding 31-16 victory over the New York Giants.
He amassed an impressive 151 yards on just 11 carries, averaging 13.7 yards per carry. This feat made him the first Dolphins player to achieve three consecutive 100-yard rushing games since Jay Ajayi accomplished the same in 2016.
“It’s truly promising that he not only knows where to line up but also consistently produces big plays,” said quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
The Dolphins’ remarkable offensive performance amassed a total of 524 yards, setting an NFL record for the most yards accumulated in the first five games of a season.
With this victory, Miami (4-1) regained the top spot in the AFC East after the Buffalo Bills (3-2) suffered a loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars in London earlier that day.
Tagovailoa completed 22 of 30 passes for 308 yards, showcasing his accuracy and skill with two touchdown passes. However, he also threw two interceptions.
The Giants’ Jason Pinnock intercepted one of Tagovailoa’s passes and returned it for a 102-yard touchdown, marking the Giants’ first touchdown in the first half of a game this season. This 102-yard interception return ties for the longest in Giants history.
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones exited the game in the fourth quarter due to a neck injury sustained from a sack by linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel. Tyrod Taylor replaced Jones and led the Giants to a scoring drive, culminating in a 51-yard field goal by Graham Gano.
Jones underwent X-rays after the game and will undergo further tests on Monday to determine the extent of his neck injury.
“We need to find a way to better protect him,” stated Giants coach Brian Daboll.
Achane’s remarkable 76-yard touchdown run in the second quarter propelled Miami to a 17-10 halftime lead and solidified his status as the only player in the Super Bowl era to score seven touchdowns in his first four NFL games. He had four touchdowns against Denver in Week 3 and two against Buffalo last Sunday.
According to NFL NextGen Stats, Achane reached an astounding speed of 21.76 mph during his touchdown run.
On Miami’s next drive, Tyreek Hill caught a pass from Tagovailoa for a 64-yard gain, reaching a top speed of 22.01 mph. This makes it the fastest ball-carrier speed recorded in the NFL this season. The Dolphins are the team responsible for the seven fastest speeds in the league, with three belonging to Hill and three to Achane. Raheem Mostert, who scored a 2-yard rushing touchdown on Sunday, owns the remaining fastest speed.
“Their blazing speed was the deciding factor in the game. Explosive plays ultimately sealed the win. Although we had moments of good defensive play, we need to maintain consistency throughout the entire game,” acknowledged Giants linebacker Bobby Okereke.
Hill had an outstanding performance, hauling in eight passes for 181 yards. This marks the 13th time in his career that he has surpassed 150 yards receiving. Additionally, he ties Calvin Johnson for the third-most games with 150+ receiving yards in a player’s first eight NFL seasons, joining Lance Alworth (17) and Jerry Rice (16).
Hill also scored a 69-yard touchdown reception on Miami’s opening drive in the third quarter, giving the Dolphins a 24-10 lead. After the play, he jumped into the stands to gift the ball to his mother, resulting in a taunting penalty.
“The ref came up to me and said, ‘You received a taunting penalty for jumping into the stands.’ I replied, ‘Bro, you would’ve done the same for your mom, so why penalize me for that?'” recounted Hill.
Despite some self-inflicted setbacks that prevented the Dolphins from extending their lead, such as turnovers, Miami’s offense remained dominant, averaging an impressive 9.7 yards per play. Furthermore, their pass rush displayed improvement after struggling to impact Josh Allen in the previous week. Miami’s defense managed 14 quarterback hits and seven sacks, contributing significantly to their victory.
“Sometimes, I find messy games to be the most enjoyable. It’s challenging to overcome turnovers, but the best way to distinguish ourselves is to bounce back and progress forward,” remarked Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel.
The Giants (1-4) managed to force a turnover for the first time this season when safety Xavier McKinney caused a fumble from Achane in the second quarter, which was recovered by edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Despite occasional offensive success and three forced turnovers, the Giants settled for nine points on offense, resulting in a loss. Graham Gano missed a 55-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter but redeemed himself by nailing a 48-yarder for New York’s only offensive score in the first half.
The Giants faced further challenges on the offensive line, utilizing their fourth different line combination of the season. Ben Bredeson shifted to the center position in place of John Michael Schmitz Jr., who was sidelined due to a groin injury. Moreover, Jones was sacked six times, adding to the ten sacks he endured in the previous game against Seattle.
In terms of injuries, Giants running back Saquon Barkley remained inactive for the third consecutive game due to an ankle injury. Dolphins’ left guard Isaiah Wynn left the game in the second half with a neck injury.
Up next, the Giants will face the Buffalo Bills on October 15, while the Dolphins will host the Carolina Panthers on the same day.
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