Things we learned in Miami Dolphins’ 28-3 victory vs. the Houston Texans

QB Tua Tagovailoa and many members of the starting offense made their preseason debuts Saturday vs. Houston along with many starters from Vic Fangio's defense.

The Miami Dolphins defeated Houston, 28-3, at NRG Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the second game of their three-game preseason schedule.

Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and many starters on both sides of the ball started while left tackle Terron Armstead, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, and cornerback Cam Smith didn’t play.

Armstead has tweeted he hopes to return by the Sept. 10 regular-season opener at the Los Angeles Chargers.

Here are some observations from the game: 

First-team offense review

The offense, led by Tagovailoa, had a crisp 14-play, 93-yard touchdown drive on its second possession. That was reassuring after the first two plays.

The first snap was an interception by Tagovailoa (who finished 5 of 7 for 61 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, 58.3 passer rating) and the second snap was high from center Connor Williams and appeared to catch Tagovailoa off guard. That play went for a five-yard loss by running back Raheem Mostert (six carries, 30 yards, one touchdown).

After that, however, Tagovailoa, the passing game and offensive line seemed to get in sync. They converted back-to-back third downs, a significant feat considering they were 24th on third downs last season.

Play-calling also seemed to find a rhythm under coach Mike McDaniel with tight ends targeted on passes and the run game being used. The Dolphins were 31st in rushing attempts last season.

The offensive line was solid. Kendall Lamm started at left tackle with Isaiah Wynn at left guard. The offensive line, which also featured Williams, right guard Robert Hunt and right tackle Austin Jackson, the regular starters, found its groove on the second possession in both the pass and run games. 

The Dolphins targeted tight ends Tyler Kroft and Durham Smythe on that possession as they further explore what they have at the position as far as situational receiving skills.

The Dolphins finished sixth in offense last season (364.5 yards per game) and 11th in points per game (23.4). The offense struggled at times early in training camp, most notably the days when it surrendered 12 sacks and nine sacks to the Dolphins defense, and when Tagovailoa threw three interceptions against the Miami defense.

First-team defense review

The defense had a good start as it held Houston scoreless near the goal line on the first possession of the game after a Tagovailoa interception return put the Texans on the Dolphins’ 7-yard line, and it held Houston to a field goal after a 61-yard drive on its second possession.  

Overall, although there were a couple of shaky moments as Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud, the No. 2 pick of the NFL draft, seemed to find a passing rhythm, the defense did well.

The Dolphins defense got a boost in the offseason with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio being hired and his impact has been felt at practice as it has rattled the Dolphins offense on many occasions.

Against Houston, cornerback Noah Igbinoghene started opposite Xavien Howard with Kader Kohou in the slot when the Dolphins played their nickel defense.

Linebacker David Long Jr. was active with two tackles and Kohou, linemen Emmanuel Ogbah and Brandon Pili, and safety Jevon Holland also had two tackles.

Ahmed shines

Running back Salvon Ahmed had 131 yards from scrimmage, 115 yards from scrimmage in the first half. Ahmed ended with 99 yards rushing on 12 carries and 32 yards receiving on four receptions.

Ahmed had a 67-yard run late in the second quarter to highlight a productive first half that saw him star in the run game and pass game. Ahmed, who is having a good training camp, set up the Dolphins’ third touchdown of the half with his long run. In the first half he had eight carries for 88 yards and four receptions for 32 yards and a touchdown.

Skylar Thompson has good showing

Reserve quarterback Skylar Thompson, who is battling Mike White to be Tagovailoa’s backup, led three touchdown drives of 80 or more yards, including a 15-play, 80-yard touchdown drive, a five-play, 82-yard touchdown drive, and a 10-play, 87-yard touchdown drive.

Thompson was 15 of 22 for 157 yards, three touchdowns, no interceptions and a 128.2 passer rating.

Thompson, who found Ahmed for an 8-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter, found his passing rhythm on his second possession of the game.

Another highlight, in addition to the touchdown pass, was Thompson bringing the ball down on third-and-5 from the Texans’ 16-yard line and finding Ahmed for a five-yard gain and a first down.

Yet another highlight was keeping the play alive and finding wide receiver Braxton Berrios for an 18-yard touchdown pass.

Thompson had a catchable deep throw dropped by wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. on his first possession. It would have required a quality catch but it appeared Wilson should have made the grab.

Thompson’s second-team offensive line also found its rhythm on Thompson’s second possession.

Phillips and Chubb pass rush

Edge rushers Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips had a decent showing even though it was fairly low key. Chubb’s pressure appeared to force an incomplete pass on third-and-goal from the 6-yard line.

Chubb ended with one tackle, Phillips didn’t record a tackle.

The duo combined for 6.5 sacks last season after Chubb’s Nov. 1 trade deadline acquisition. Phillips had 4.0 sacks and Chubb had 2.5. Chubb had 8.0 total sacks last season between Miami and Denver and ended up going to the Pro Bowl after being called up as an alternate. 

Chubb and Phillips have both done a good job during training camp setting the edge against the run, meaning turning runs back inside toward the pursuit.

Offensive line review

The offensive line remains a work in progress but the starters did nice work after getting in sync on the Dolphins’ second possession. 

The second offensive line included Thompson’s second-team unit, which was center Dan Feeney, right guard Robert Jones, right tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, Wynn at left guard and left tackle Kion Smith.

When Jones was shaken up, Feeney went to right guard and rookie Alama Uluave came in at center.

In the third quarter Smith went to left guard and rookie Ryan Hayes entered at left tackle and Geron Christian played right tackle. Smith and Christian had back-to-back false starts.

Two projected starters (Armstead and left guard Liam Eichenberg) didn’t play and one top reserve (guard Lester Cotton) didn’t play. Armstead left Thursday’s practice against the Texans with a right leg injury. Armstead had offseason surgery on his right knee.

Eichenberg and right tackle Austin Jackson played 14 snaps each in last week’s 19-3 loss to Atlanta in the preseason opener. They were the only projected starters to appear.

Williams had a bad snap that resulted in a five-yard loss by Mostert and Uluave had a bad snap that resulted in a fumble by Thompson. But for the most part the first- and second-team offensive lines were solid.

The rookie draftees

Cam Smith, the second-round pick from South Carolina, didn’t play Saturday, presumably due to the right shoulder injury he sustained last week against Atlanta.

Running back De’Von Achane, the third-round pick from Texas A&M, had four carries for 18 yards and two kickoff returns for 29 yards. Achane left the game in the third quarter, possibly due to injury. Achane had 104 all-purpose yards last week.

Tight end Elijah Higgins, the sixth-round pick from Stanford, got a good amount of snaps but didn’t have any receptions. Higgins, a wide receiver in college, had two receptions for 36 yards last week. Learning a new position in the NFL is tough, and trying to be a receiving tight end in a system that looks for you to showcase your blocking talent first makes it even tougher. Higgins has a fighting chance to make the 53-man regular-season roster but he’s likely headed for the practice squad.

Hayes, the seventh-round pick from Michigan, played left tackle for much of the second and seemed to do OK. Hayes, who played mostly right tackle early in training camp, played 13 snaps last week. He’s likely headed for the practice squad.

The search for a No. 3 receiver

Wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Waddle are set as the No. 1 and No. 2 receiving targets, but the Dolphins are searching for a No. 3 receiver. Berrios (three receptions, 33 yards, one touchdown) and Mostert still appear to be the top candidates.

Berrios had three receptions for 33 yards, including an 18-yard touchdown reception in the first half Saturday.

Wide receivers Wilson Jr. (two receptions, 31 yards) and Robbie Chosen each had a drop although both would have been fairly tough receptions. Wilson had a nice 13-yard reception from Thompson on fourth-and-2. 

It appears Berrios will win the slot receiver job but there’s still a strong chance Mostert is the No. 3 pass catcher in targets and receptions behind Hill and Waddle.

Others in the mix to be No. 3 are Chosen, Wilson and wide receiver Erik Ezukanma (three receptions, 24 yards).

Ezukanma had three receptions for 15 yards last week while Berrios had two receptions for 11 yards and Wilson had one reception for 17 yards. It doesn’t seem likely any of the tight ends will be the No. 3 receiver. 

Nice run game showing

The Dolphins rushed for 207 yards on 36 carries, and both numbers were a bit surprising. Ahmed led the way with 99 yards rushing and Chris Brooks, the undrafted rookie from BYU, had 47 yards on 11 carries.

Players who didn’t play

The Dolphins’ pregame inactive list included Wilkins (contract hold-in), Waddle (midsection) and Braylon Sanders, cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey (left knee surgery), Justin Bethel, Cam Smith (right shoulder), Keion Crossen and Ethan Bonner, running backs Jeff Wilson Jr. and Myles Gaskin, safety Brandon Jones, fullback Alec Ingold, Armstead (right leg), guards Liam Eichenberg and Lester Cotton.