MIAMI GARDENS, Fla., Sept. 24 (UPI) — Tua Tagovailoa played a perfect first half and the Miami Dolphins went on to set franchise records in points, yards and touchdowns in an epic blowout of the Denver Broncos on Sunday in Miami Gardens, Fla.
The Dolphins totaled 726 yards and scored 10 touchdowns in the 70-20 victory at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Dolphins’ previous single-game records for points (55) and touchdowns (8) were set in a 1977 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Their previous yardage mark (584) was set in a 1988 loss to the New York Jets.
The Dolphins tied the 1950 Los Angeles Rams for the second-most points scored in a regular-season NFL game, trailing only the 1966 Washington Redskins, who scored 72.
Miami’s 726 yards were just 9 shy of the NFL record. The Los Angeles Rams logged 735 yards in a 1951 win over the Jets.
“This doesn’t compare to anything i’ve seen or been a part of,” a joyous Tagovailoa said at his postgame news conference.
Added Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel: “I was most proud of the unrelenting nature we had.” “It’s so key that you don’t let the ebbs and flow of the game interject into how you play football.”
Rookie De’Von Achane totaled 233 yards from scrimmage and four scores. Fellow running back Raheem Mostert logged 142 yards and also scored four times.
“Our offense is speed,” Achane said. “You have weapons everywhere, receiver, running back. We are going out there and clicking on all cylinders.”
Tagovailoa, who completed his first 17 passes and was 16 of 16 in the first half, completed 23 of 26 passes for 309 yards and four scores. Wide receiver Tyreek Hill totaled 157 yards and a score on nine catches.
The Dolphins put the first points on the scoreboard just 83 seconds into the game. Tagovailoa stepped back in the pocket and found Hill gliding between a pocket of defenders on that score. Hill then darted to the end zone for a 54-yard touchdown.
Dolphins defenders stuffed the Broncos next drive, resulting in a punt. The Dolphins then went on a nine-play, 81-yard drive climaxed by an 8-yard touchdown run by Achane.
The Broncos cut into the defecit when quarterback Russell Wilson threw a 12-yard touchdown toss to wide receiver Courtland Sutton. That score ended a 10-play, 75-yard drive.
The Dolphins then took nearly six minutes off the clock on another scoring drive. That possession ended with Tagovailoa tossing a no-look touchdown to Achane. The 4-yard throw ended an 11-play drive and made the score 21-7.
Broncos kicker Will Lutz made a 31-yard field goal about four minutes later, cutting the deficit to 11.
The Dolphins went on to add to their lead with a six-play, 86-yard drive. Mostert ended the possession with a 20-yard touchdown run about two minutes before halftime.
Dolphins safety Jevon Holland forced a fumble on the second play of the Broncos’ next drive. Mostert scored again on a 3-yard run on the next snap, giving the Dolphins a 35-10 edge.
Lutz made a 25-yard field goal at the end of the first half, making the score 35-13.
The Dolphins forced another Broncos punt to open the second half. Mostert then concluded an 11-play, 90-yard drive with his third touchdown of the game. The 1-yard run and an extra point gave the Dolphins a 29-point edge.
Holland forced a Sutton fumble, which cornerback Kader Kohou recovered, on the next drive. Tagovailoa then ended a nine-play, 77-yard drive with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Mostert.
Dolphins defender Emmanuel Ogbah intercepted Wilson on the Broncos’ first snap of the next possession.
Tagovailoa threw a 10-yard touchdown toss to Achane just seconds later, giving the Dolphins a 43-point lead.
Dolphins backup quarterback Mike White, who entered the game in the fourth quarter, added to the lead with a 68-yard touchdown toss to Robbie Chosen with about 9 minutes remaining.
Broncos kick returner Marvin Mims Jr. returned the resulting kickoff for a 99-yard touchdown, making the score 70-20.
The Dolphins marched the ball deep into Broncos territory on their final drive, with fans chanting “we want more” as they reached field goal range for what could have given them the NFL record for points scored..
McDaniel then opted to kneel out fourth down, with the ball turning over to Denver for one last fruitless play.
The Dolphins (3-0) will face the Buffalo Bills at 1 p.m. EDT Oct. 1 in Orchard Park, N.Y. The Broncos (0-3) will play the Chicago Bears at 1 p.m. Oct. 1 in Chicago.
