Miscues on Dolphins’ final two offensive plays end comeback bid vs. Chiefs in Germany

FRANKFURT, Germany — The Miami Dolphins had their comeback from a 21-point deficit to the Kansas City Chiefs in Germany fall short Sunday when, with the team driving into Chiefs territory, the decisive third and fourth downs went awry.

First, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa threw to a spot he was expecting wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. to go to, but Wilson ran a different route. With Wilson the only receiver on his side of the field, Tagovailoa floated a pass, short and to the outside, possibly because he was trying to hold back the throw as he realized the two weren’t aligned, as Wilson broke open toward the end zone.

“What happened with me and Ced, that was just miscommunication, and in big-time moments, those things like that can happen,” Tagovailoa said after the game, a 21-14 final in favor of the Chiefs at Deutsche Bank Park. “I’ve got to throw a better ball. It was just miscommunication there.”

Coach Mike McDaniel wanted to shoulder the blame onto himself when he offered further explanation..

“There’s a lot that falls squarely on my shoulders,” McDaniel said. “They were doing something that we had talked about, and the miscommunication is something that doesn’t happen if I put them in the appropriate situation during the week.

“Tua didn’t have time to observe. He signaled kind of one route, and that has a conversion, and Cedrick interpreted it as another thing.”

But there was still fourth down to follow. The possibility of that final chance working for Miami was shut down quickly when the snap between center Connor Williams and Tagovailoa was mishandled.

Williams’ snap was slightly errant to the right, but the ball went off Tagovailoa’s hands before Miami recovered for the turnover on downs. The official scorekeeping also credited the fumble to Tagovailoa.

“I’m always going to blame myself,” he said. “I’ve got to catch the ball. Whether that’s getting in a better position to catch it or whatever it is, can’t end the game like that when we have an opportunity like that against a really good team.”

Like two weeks earlier against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Dolphins fought back from a multi-touchdown deficit — coming back to tie the Eagles before losing, 31-17, and never reaching the 21 points Kansas City scored in the first half.

The Miami defense shut out the Chiefs in the second half, like Kansas City did to Miami in the first half to establish the original 21-0 lead. It was the Dolphins’ first time where they were shut out in a half since the second half of the Dec. 25, 2022 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Howard, Ramsey start together

The Dolphins will finally had their cornerback tandem of Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard start opposite each other.

Howard, who has missed the past two games with a groin injury, was not listed among inactives announced 90 minutes ahead of the Dolphins’ 9:30 a.m. kickoff against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday from Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt. He entered questionable after saying this past week he felt confident he’d be able to play.

Howard’s return to the lineup comes a week after Ramsey debuted with his new team three months off meniscus surgery in a home win over the New England Patriots. The two together also allow Kader Kohou to play the nickel cornerback position in the slot against Kansas City’s third-ranked passing offense.

The Dolphins also have center Connor Williams, who similarly entered Sunday questionable with a groin injury after missing four of the past five games, active. He and left tackle Terron Armstead provide a boost to the offensive line against the Chiefs, as Armstead was activated off injured reserve Saturday following a four-week absence from a knee injury suffered Oct. 1 in Buffalo.

The Miami offensive line, however, is down right guard Robert Hunt due to his hamstring ailment sustained against the Patriots. He was ruled out Friday. Coach Mike McDaniel said Robert Jones would slide in at left guard with Lester Cotton shifting to right guard as the Dolphins face a fierce Chiefs pass rush.

Other Dolphins inactives are safety Brandon Jones, who did not travel with the team due to concussion protocol, wide receiver Robbie Chosen, cornerback Kelvin Joseph and quarterback Skylar Thompson, who is available as an emergency third quarterback.

That means other Dolphins players that entered questionable who are available include: Wide receiver Braxton Berrios (hamstring), tight end Durham Smythe (ankle) and cornerbacks Nik Needham (Achilles) and Justin Bethel (foot).

Waddle exits, returns

Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle briefly exited Sunday’s game with a knee injury. After making a 15-yard reception on Miami’s opening offensive play, he was hurt on the second play.

After being attended to on the field and then in the sideline injury tent, Waddle returned on the second play of the next possession. Shortly thereafter, Waddle was used on a double reverse with Hill pitching it back to him to come around the left side for 12 yards.

This story will be updated.