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About the Author: Matt Matera

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In a game that was slow for the first three and a half quarters both offenses came alive down the stretch. The Dolphins took the lead with 36 seconds remaining after successfully  completing a two-point conversion to make it 14-13. Ryan Griffin got the ball back with less than a minute left, driving the Bucs down the field with two connections to Tanner Hudson to set up Matt Gay to hit the game winning 48-yard field goal with six seconds left, giving the Bucs the 16-14 victory.

While the ending was exciting, the Bucs offense in particular was sloppy for most of Friday night. Here were the most disappointing players from the Bucs and Dolphins game.

RB Andre Ellington
Ellington is not doing himself any favors as he fights to cling on to third on the depth chart position behind Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones. Ellington had the first turnover of the game when he fumbled after making a three-yard reception on third down, with the Dolphins recovering on the Bucs’ 37. Tampa Bay’s defense bailed out Ellington by stopping them on fourth down, but Ellington’s mistake could have put the Bucs behind eight ball early with momentum on their opponents side. He also didn’t do much with his other opportunities, having just 15 rushing yards on six carries and 14 receiving yards as Ogunbowale continues to solidify his role as the third back.

RT Cole Boozer
The entire offensive line did not do a good job pass blocking on Friday night, and Boozer was one of the main culprits. Boozer gave up two sacks early in the first half while also letting another pass rusher go by and hit Blaine Gabbert hard for an incomplete pass. This is the second straight week that Boozer looked to be in over his head as he protected the quarterback’s blind side. Boozer wasn’t the only lineman that did a poor job blocking, but his mistakes directly impacted the game and the offense’s inability to mover there ball.

QB Blaine Gabbert
Gabbert took a ton of hits in the game, so credit him for getting back up each time. But even with that caveat, Gabbert didn’t play well  His throws were off from the first drive, including one where he under threw Justin Watson and another behind a wide open Bobo Wilson on the next play.  The Bucs had a tough time moving the ball anywhere with Gabbert at the helm. Gabbert finished the night 5-of-12 passes for 42 yards.

WR Justin Watson
The second-year wide receiver had a tough drop early on in the game with a chance to move the chains. It was a little low but definitely a ball that was catchable. Watson didn’t have any receptions in the first half, and when a stagnant Bucs offense finally got the ball moving in the third quarter,  Watson was called for crack back block that stalled their drive and forced them to punt. Watson had only two catches in the game, and also dropped a critical pass near the end zone. Miami ended up being called for pass interference(after a challenge review), but Watson should have came up with it anyway.

CB Ryan Smith
On a night where both defenses were pretty strong, the Dolphins continued to attack towards Smith’s way and had some success doing it. He surrendered a handful of receptions in front of him that allowed the offense move the ball for first downs.

 

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