But that’s only half the story of Sunday's 34-15 shellacking at the hands of the Chiefs, who handed the Dolphins their second blowout loss in a row.
The defense, supposedly the strength of the team, was exposed through the air and on the ground.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill is sacked in the fourth quarter by Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla., on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014. | C.W. Griffin/Miami Herald Staff
Kansas City gashed the Dolphins for 174 yards rushing. Alex Smith was coolly efficient, completing 76 percent of his attempts and throwing three touchdown passes. The Chiefs scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to salt away the game. And for the first time this season, the grumblings inside the team’s locker room about defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle grew so loud, they could be heard outside.
One source said Dolphins players are “beyond furious, irate” at Coyle’s defensive adjustments and game plan.
Players are privately questioning a host of decisions, including Coyle’s call to have Cameron Wake and Jason Trusnik cover speedy Chiefs running back Joe McKnight in space, said another. McKnight exploited the matchups and had two touchdown catches in the second half Sunday.
“I mean, it’s tough,” linebacker Jelani Jenkins, who recorded a team-high 14 tackles, said when asked about the Dolphins’ ugly performance Sunday. “We just have to make the adjustments.”
