The Miami Dolphins and Denver Broncos have faced each other many times over the years. Their games are often full of big plays, strong passing numbers, and exciting moments for fans. In this article, we will look at one of the most talked about matchups between these two teams, break down the player stats, and explain what made the game so memorable. We will also answer common questions fans ask about this matchup.
This game took place in Week 3 of the 2023 NFL season. The Miami Dolphins hosted the Denver Broncos at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It turned out to be one of the most one sided games of the season, with Miami winning big at home.
Final Score
<cite index=”2-1″>The Denver Broncos finished the game with 20 points, while the Miami Dolphins scored 70 points, giving Miami a huge win at home.</cite> This was the Dolphins’ third straight win to start the season, while Denver dropped to 0-3.
Quarterback Stats
The quarterback matchup was one of the biggest stories of the game.
<cite index=”2-1″>Denver’s Russell Wilson threw for 306 passing yards, completing 23 of 38 passes, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception.</cite> Wilson moved the ball well through the air, but he could not keep up with the other side.
<cite index=”1-1″>Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa had a standout game, throwing for 309 yards and 4 touchdowns.</cite> <cite index=”2-1″>He completed 23 of his 26 pass attempts, which is a very high completion rate for an NFL quarterback.</cite> This kind of accuracy helped Miami control the game from the passing side and put constant pressure on Denver’s defense.
Even though both quarterbacks threw for almost the same number of yards, Tagovailoa’s four touchdown passes and clean game (no turnovers) made a big difference in the final score.
Running Back Stats
The running game also told an important part of the story.
<cite index=”1-1″>Denver’s Javonte Williams carried the ball 11 times for 42 yards.</cite> He did not have a big day on the ground, and Denver’s offense had trouble finding a rhythm running the ball.
<cite index=”1-1″>On the other side, Miami’s De’Von Achane had a huge performance, rushing 18 times for 203 yards and 2 touchdowns.</cite> This was one of the best rushing games of the season for any player in the league. Achane, a rookie at the time, showed great speed and vision, breaking off long runs that Denver’s defense could not stop.
<cite index=”6-1″>The Dolphins also got contributions from other running backs, including Raheem Mostert, who scored touchdowns during the game.</cite> With Achane and Mostert both finding the end zone, Miami’s rushing attack was nearly impossible for Denver to slow down.
Receiving Stats
Wide receivers also played a big role in this matchup.
<cite index=”1-1″>Denver’s Courtland Sutton caught 8 passes for 91 yards and 1 touchdown.</cite> He was Denver’s top target and tried to keep the offense moving, but it was not enough to match Miami’s output.
<cite index=”1-1″>Miami’s Tyreek Hill had another strong game, catching 9 passes for 157 yards and 1 touchdown.</cite> Hill is known as one of the fastest players in the NFL, and his speed created problems for Denver’s secondary all game long. <cite index=”6-1″>Fans were able to watch highlights of Hill’s best catches from this 157-yard performance.</cite>
Defensive Stats
Defense is often forgotten when a game has a score like 70-20, but there were still some notable performances.
<cite index=”2-1″>Denver’s Damarri Turner-Yell recorded 13 tackles, with 10 of them solo tackles.</cite> This shows he was working hard to try to stop Miami’s offense, even though the team gave up 70 points.
<cite index=”2-1″>On Miami’s side, D. Long Jr. had 8 tackles, including 4 solo tackles.</cite> <cite index=”2-1″>Miami’s Emmanuel Ogbah also recorded a sack during the game.</cite> <cite index=”6-1″>Ogbah also came away with an interception on a tipped pass, which helped Miami’s defense stay strong throughout the game.</cite>
Team Totals
Looking at the full team numbers helps explain why the score was so lopsided.
<cite index=”2-1″>Denver finished with 363 total yards, while Miami had 726 total yards, more than double Denver’s output.</cite> <cite index=”2-1″>Denver also turned the ball over 3 times, while Miami had zero turnovers.</cite> <cite index=”2-1″>Miami also had 30 first downs compared to Denver’s 16, and Miami controlled the ball for 33 minutes and 21 seconds compared to Denver’s 26 minutes and 39 seconds.</cite>
<cite index=”2-1″>In the red zone, Miami converted 6 out of 6 chances, a perfect record, while Denver managed just 1 out of 4.</cite> This stat alone shows how well Miami’s offense performed when it mattered most, right near the goal line.
These numbers show that Miami was better in almost every part of the game: passing, rushing, time of possession, and turnovers.
Head-to-Head History
This game was part of a long running series between the two teams. <cite index=”1-1″>The Broncos and Dolphins have played 21 times, including 1 playoff game, and the Miami Dolphins have won 13 of those games, while the Denver Broncos have won 7. The two teams have also tied once.</cite>
This history shows that Miami has generally had the upper hand in this matchup over the years, and the 2023 blowout win added another game to that streak.
Why This Game Stood Out
Games with a final score of 70-20 do not happen often in the NFL. Most games are decided by a touchdown or two. This game stood out because nearly every player on Miami’s offense had a big performance at the same time. Tagovailoa’s accuracy, Achane’s speed, and Hill’s big plays all came together on the same day, which is rare even for a top offense.
For Denver, the game was a tough lesson. Wilson threw for solid yardage, but the running game struggled, and the defense could not find a way to slow Miami down. Games like this often lead teams to make changes on both sides of the ball, from play calling to player roles.
Final Thoughts
The Miami Dolphins vs Denver Broncos matchup from Week 3 of the 2023 season will be remembered as one of the most dominant offensive performances in recent NFL history. With Tua Tagovailoa throwing 4 touchdowns, De’Von Achane rushing for over 200 yards, and Tyreek Hill adding another big game, Miami’s offense clicked on all fronts. Denver, despite a strong game from Russell Wilson, could not keep pace.
Whether you are a Dolphins fan, a Broncos fan, or just someone who loves football stats, this game offers a great example of how one team’s offense can take over a game from start to finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of the Miami Dolphins vs Denver Broncos game?
Miami won 70-20 in their Week 3 matchup during the 2023 NFL season.
Who was the starting quarterback for Miami in this game?
Tua Tagovailoa started at quarterback for the Dolphins and threw for 309 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Who was the starting quarterback for Denver in this game?
Russell Wilson started for the Broncos, throwing for 306 yards with 1 touchdown and 1 interception.
