Miami Dolphins 20-3 New Orleans Saints: Jaylen Waddle and defense shines as Dolphins make NFL history with seventh straight win | NFL News

Miami’s Jaylen Waddle stars with 10 catches for 92 yards to lift his season tally to 941, breaking Chris Chambers’ rookie record for receiving yards set in 2001; Saints quarterback Ian Book throw for 135 yards and two interceptions on debut as the Dolphins win their seventh straight game.

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Highlights from the Week 16 matchup between the Miami Dolphins and the New Orleans Saints

The Miami Dolphins – led by their dominant defense – made NFL history on Monday by becoming the first team to lose seven straight games and win seven straight games in a season as they beat the New Orleans Saints 20-3 on the road. 

Story of the Game

Miami got a 28-yard pick-six from Nik Needham, a one-yard touchdown flip from Tua Tagovailoa to Jaylen Waddle and a pair of Jason Sanders field goals to move to 8-7 on the year.

The Dolphins’ winning streak is the second-longest active run in the NFL, trailing only the Kansas City Chiefs’ eight-game streak.

Miami’s defense had its first eight-sack game since 2012 while New Orleans competed without 22 players due to COVID-19 protocols.

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Miami Dolphins safety Nik Needham intercepts a pass from New Orleans Saints quarterback Ian Book and returns it for a touchdown

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Rookie quarterback Ian Book made his NFL debut and struggled against Miami’s blitzing defense, finishing 12 of 20 for 135 yards and two interceptions.

Tagovailoa went 19 of 26 for 198 yards with one interception and the one touchdown.

Waddle caught 10 passes for 92 yards, lifting his total on the season to 96 catches for 941 yards to break Chris Chambers’ franchise rookie record for receiving yards with 883 in 2001.

Book’s second career NFL pass resulted in a Dolphins touchdown, Andrew Van Ginkel deflecting the pass at the line of scrimmage and Needham turning it into an easy 28-yard interception return for a 7-0 Miami lead.

On their second possession, Miami extended the lead to 10-0 on Sanders’ 48-yard field goal after Liam Eichenberg had recovered the fumble from Marcus Davenport’s strip-sack on Tagovailoa on the previous play.

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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Mack Hollins completes a 40-yard reception on a great pass from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa

New Orleans got on the board with 2:45 left in the first half when an eight-play, 55-yard drive ended with Brett Maher’s 38-yard field goal to make it 10-3 in favour of Miami at the break.

With 5:10 left in the third quarter, Miami’s offense became the first to reach the end zone. It went down as a one-yard scoring pass, but it was actually an end-around flip to Waddle, who cut back inside to increase Miami’s lead to 17-3.

That touchdown was set up by a huge third-and-nine play as Tagovailoa lofted a 40-yard pass to Mack Hollins, who made the catch despite apparent defensive interference. Later in the drive, the Dolphins converted a third-and-two thanks to a roughing-the-passer penalty.

Sanders’ 34-yard field goal with 12:05 left in the fourth gave Miami a 20-3 advantage.

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Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throws a touchdown pass to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle

Stats Leaders

Dolphins

• Passing: Tua Tagovailoa, 19/26, 198 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Rushing: Duke Johnson, 13 carries, 39 yards
• Receiving: Jaylen Waddle, 10 catches, 92 yards, 1 TD

Saints

• Passing: Ian Book, 12/20, 135 yards, 2 INTs
• Rushing: Alvin Kamara, 13 carries, 52 yards
• Receiving: Lil’Jordan Humphrey, three catches, 70 yards

Scoring Summary

What’s Next?

With Monday’s win, the Dolphins take over the No. 7 seed in the AFC to secure control of their own playoff fate, with a visit to face the Tennessee Titans and a home matchup with the New England Patriots to come. Win them both and they are guaranteed a postseason berth.

The Saints’ (7-8) chances of breaking back into the NFC’s top seven look increasingly slim, although they do have winnable matchups at home to the Carolina Panthers and on the road against the Atlanta Falcons over the final two weeks that could yet change things should other results go their way.

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