QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and the Browns faced off against a familiar face in QB Tyler Huntley and the Dolphins in Week 17.
Huntley, who spent the 2024 preseason with the Browns, came away with the win as the Dolphins defeated the Browns, 20-3.
Thompson-Robinson and the Browns struggled to move the ball throughout the game and the second-year quarterback had two turnovers.
Despite a strong performance from the Browns defense – including DE Myles Garrett, who had two sacks – the Browns were unable to keep up with the Miami offense.
Key Moments
Browns struggle to find momentum on offense
The Browns failed to sustain long drives throughout the game, scoring just once in their loss to the Dolphins.
After going three-and-out on their opening drive, Thompson-Robinson led a 66-yard drive ending in a 25-yard field goal from K Dustin Hopkins. Thompson-Robinson completed three of five passes, but the Browns stalled in the red zone and settled for a field goal.
Thompson-Robinson completed just three of his remaining seven passing attempts in the first half, including an interception in the second quarter on a deep pass intended for WR Jerry Jeudy.
The second-year quarterback out of UCLA completed 24 of his 47 passing attempts for 170 yards. He was flagged three times for intentional grounding and had two turnovers.
Thompson-Robinson's second turnover of the day came in the third quarter. After leading the Browns near midfield, Thompson-Robinson was swallowed up in the backfield for a sack, losing the football in the process.
The Browns had a chance to score a touchdown early in the fourth quarter but were unable to take advantage of their 59-yard trip to the red zone. After RB D'Onta Foreman was stopped for a 1-yard gain on third down, the Browns elected to go for it instead of settling for a field goal. Thompson-Robinson threw a short pass intended for Jeudy, but the two couldn't connect and the Browns turned the ball over on downs.
The Browns finished with four turnovers on downs in addition to Thompson-Robinson's pair of giveaways as the offense struggled against the Miami defense.
Defense falters in the second half
The Browns defense performed well throughout the game, holding the Dolphins to just 281 total yards and an 18 percent third down conversion rate. However, the 20 points scored by the Miami offense proved enough for the Dolphins to leave Huntington Bank Field with a win.
In the first half, the Browns forced four punts as the Dolphins offense struggled to convert on third down. However, the Dolphins entered halftime with momentum after taking a late lead.
With just under 30 seconds remaining in the first half, Huntley threw a pass intended for TE Jonnu Smith. CB Martin Emerson Jr. stepped in front of the pass for an interception but was flagged for defensive pass interference. The penalty sparked a 41-yard drive from the Dolphins, who ended the half with a field goal and a 6-3 halftime lead.
On their next possession in the third quarter, Huntley led a six-play, 72-yard touchdown drive, building on the Dolphins' three-point halftime lead. On third down just outside the red zone, Huntley found WR River Cracraft for a 16-yard gain. On the following play, Huntley scrambled to the right, running through the Browns defense for a 13-yard touchdown.
After the Browns held the Dolphins to a turnover on downs and three punts in the second half, the Dolphins found the end zone again with just under four minutes remaining, effectively cementing their win over the Browns.
The Dolphins had advantageous field position after the Browns turned the ball over on downs deep in their own territory, and Huntley wasted no time, taking just 18 seconds before finding Smith for a touchdown to extend the Dolphins' lead.
Huntley completed 22 of his 26 passing attempts for 225 yards and a touchdown. He added 53 yards on the ground and another score.
Myles Garrett sets an NFL record in loss to Dolphins
A week after joining the exclusive club of NFL defensive players with 100 or more career sacks, Garrett added another accomplishment to his impressive resume.
With his first sack of the game in the third quarter, Garrett became just the third player in NFL history with at least five seasons with 13 or more sacks in a players' first eight seasons, joining Reggie White and T.J. Watt. Garrett fought off a double team and weaved his way through the Dolphins offensive line and wrapped up Huntley.
In the fourth quarter, Garrett set an NFL record with his second sack of the game. Huntley attempted to run to the left and escape a crowded pocket, and Garrett plowed his way through to bring him down. With his 14th sack of the season, Garrett became the first player in NFL history with 14 or more sacks in four consecutive seasons.
Key Stats and Facts
- Grant Delpit surpassed 100 total tackles in the 2024 season after finishing Week 17 with 9 total tackles. Delpit has 107 total tackles this season, surpassing his previous career-high of 105 tackles in the 2022 season.
- With 94 receiving yards in Week 17, Jeudy surpassed Amari Cooper for the sixth-most receiving yards in a single season in Browns history with 1,166.
- C Ethan Pocic played his 100th career game in Week 17. The eight-year veteran was drafted by the Seahawks in 2017 and joined the Browns before the 2022 season.
Game Highlights
Before exiting in the second quarter with an ankle injury, RB Jerome Ford took off for a 19-yard gain that set up a field goal in the first quarter.
DE Isaiah McGuire's sack in the second quarter was his second since Week 16 and brought his season total to 2.5 sacks.
Garrett is tied for the NFL lead in sacks this season with 14.
Scoring Plays
5:46 1Q | CLE 0 MIA 3 | Jason Sanders 54-yard field goal is GOOD.
13:26 2Q | CLE 3 MIA 3 | Dustin Hopkins 25-yard field goal is GOOD.
0:00 2Q | CLE 3 MIA 6 | Jason Sanders 39-yard field goal is GOOD.
11:04 3Q | CLE 3 MIA 13 | Tyler Huntley run right end for 13 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
3:38 4Q | CLE 3 MIA 20 | Tyler Huntley pass short left to Jonnu Smith for 7 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
What it means
The Browns fall to 3-13 on the season and are last in the AFC North. The Dolphins improve to 8-8 and are second in the AFC East.
What's next?
The Browns will close out the 2024 season on the road against the Ravens in Week 18. The two AFC North rivals will face off on either Saturday, Jan. 4, or Sunday, Jan 5. The time is to be determined.
