Dolphins edge Browns 38–35 as Miami’s stars answer every punch in Cleveland

CLEVELAND, OH - Coming off their first loss of the season, the Miami Dolphins traded haymakers with the Browns and found the answers late, edging Cleveland 38-35 on the lakefront. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa delivered three touchdown passes while speed back De'Von Achane gashed the Browns for explosive gains all afternoon.

Miami answers every punch

After Joe Flacco hit Jerry Jeudy for an early Cleveland score, Tagovailoa settled the Dolphins with a quick-strike toss to Tyreek Hill. The second quarter turned into a sprint: rookie back Quinshon Judkins powered in from 17 yards for the Browns, Miami answered with a Riley Patterson field goal, and David Njoku's red-zone snag nudged Cleveland back in front. With :16 left in the half, Tagovailoa found Achane on a 17-yard angle route to send the game to intermission tied 17-17.

The track meet after halftime

Riley Patterson's 43-yarder opened the third, but Jerome Ford ripped through a crease for a 17-yard reply to reclaim the lead for Cleveland. Then Achane authored the play of the day: a patient press to the edge, a violent cut, and a 60-yard touchdown. Tagovailoa hit Hill for the two-point conversion to make it 30-28 Miami as the quarter wound down.

Waddle's winner

Flacco and Jeudy connected again early in the fourth on a 57-yard strike, but Miami's poise showed. Tagovailoa marched the Dolphins back and zipped a six-yard dart to Jaylen Waddle for the decisive points with 4:42 to play. "We took a tough one last week and responded the right way," head coach Sean Nguyen said. "Situational football and speed - that's our identity."

By the numbers

Tagovailoa finished 30-of-37 for 333 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Achane rolled for 229 rushing yards (18 carries) with a long of 60 and added seven receptions for 75 yards and a score. Waddle posted 10 catches for 131 yards and the game-winner. For Cleveland, Joe Flacco threw three touchdowns, Jerry Jeudy hauled in two of them, and Jerome Ford added a 17-yard rushing score. Kicker Riley Patterson was perfect on three field goals for Miami, while David Njoku contributed a 19-yard touchdown for the Browns.

Up Next

The Dolphins hit the road again to face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8. The Browns travel to Foxborough for a Week 8 matchup with the New England Patriots.