The Miami Dolphins needed a fourth-quarter comeback, but they managed to beat the New Orleans Saints in their final preseason game of the season, 24-21.
Saints vs. Dolphins: Miami, New Orleans fans both not concerned with Thursday night struggles
Both the Dolphins and the Saints struggled at times on Thursday night, but neither team’s fans seem worried about the results of the exhibition contest.
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The Dolphins, who finished the preseason with a 2-3 record, struggled throughout the first half, playing mostly reserves from the start of the game. Kevin Nogle of the Phinsider, SB Nation's Dolphins blog, was less than impressed with the play of quarterback Pat Devlin, who got a chance at extended action in Thursday night's game.
With the Miami starters, other than guard John Jerry, all sitting during the game, the Dolphins spent the game evaluating the reserves ahead of Saturday's final roster cuts. Some players looked good, justifying decisions to either see more regular season playing time or make the roster. Some guys did not.
One of the did nots was quarterback Pat Devlin, who struggled throughout the first half and all but one play in the second half.. He was inaccurate with the ball early, including two passes to Michael Egnew in the endzone leading to a Caleb Sturgis field goal and a pass behind tight end Dion Sims leading to a turnover on downs at the Saints one yard line. But, he did connect on a 57-yard touchdown pass to Marvin McNutt late in the fourth quarter to put Miami back in the lead 24-21.
New Orleans started off the game well but failed to close out the Dolphins, which is frustrating, but lucky for them these games don’t count. The Saints finished 3-1 in the preseason, and Dave Cariello of SB Nation’s Saints blog, Canal Street Chronicles, came away from the game impressed with the start of the game. After that, not so much.
The rest of the game was a little sloppier. Not terrible, but not that great either. Just... blah. But I supposed that's what is to be expected during the final preseason game of the year.
You always hope your team comes away from these meaningless games injury free but injuries to wide receiver Nick Toon and defensive end Glenn Foster put a slight damper on the night.
The Saints open up the regular season at home against the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 8, while the Dolphins travel to Cleveland to take on the Browns.
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