MIAMI GARDENS ― The Miami Dolphins lost to the Las Vegas Raiders, 27-13, to fall to 0-1.
Malik Willis scored a rushing touchdown, Caleb Douglas had 94 receiving yards and Jacob Rodriguez had 14 tackles.
But Miami did not win in the offensive or defensive trenches and struggled in special teams.
Here is an Overreaction Monday following the season opener.
Let's overreact … or not?
Special teams were atrocious
Overreaction? No. The Dolphins have young team and there are going to be many youngsters on special teams. As Jeff Hafley said, there were players out of their lanes on kickoff and punt return. It's hard enough to win a game with offense and defense, but special teams can be a tipping point in a close game.
Pass rush and coverage are problems
Overreaction? No. The Dolphins need more and better pass rushers.
The Dolphins need more and better defensive backs. If Chop Robinson does not have a pass rush break though, it's an issue. If Chris Johnson doesn't settle in and excel as a rookie (it's been one game, folks) that's an issue. If you don't have a pass rush or strong coverage it can be disastrous.
Malik Willis isn't the long-term answer
Overreaction? Yes. Willis offered some hope with his ability to run. There was a poor interception on a deep ball. We cannot be making long-term conclusions about Williams after one game. This was his 7th NFL start in five seasons.
Jacob Rodriguez and Caleb Douglas are stars
Overreaction? Yes. It was an encouraging debut for the rookie duo from Texas Tech. Rodriguez had 14 tackles. And Douglas had 94 receiving yards. But they can’t be crowned just yet. Still, the two Jon-Eric Sullivan picks are off to a good start.
De'Von Achane may not reach 1,000 yards
Overreaction? No. Opposing defenses are going to stack the box against Achane. He struggled to get it going in the opener and finished with only 36 rushing yards. He cannot do it by himself. He’ll need more help from the o-line and other blockers and he’ll need it quickly.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Should Dolphins fans worry about these warning signs?
