Gaskin Enjoys Another Productive Outing for Dolphins, Needs to Play More
Myles Gaskin didn't start at running back for the Miami Dolphins, giving way to Jordan Howard, but they used him more than any other back against the Buffalo Bills and good things happened.
For the second week in a row, the University of Washington's all-time leading rusher had more carries, catches and yards than the other Miami backs. He wasn't about to squander any of his NFL opportunities, which are coming more frequently.
Gaskin rushed 7 times for 46 yards, with a long run of 14, and he caught 6 passes for another 36 yards, with a long reception of 13 yards. All were team highs among the Dolphins backs who were used.
Unfortunately, Miami couldn't play defense and lost to the Bills 31-28 at home.
Series 1: Gaskin, inserted on the second offensive series for the Dolphins, he helped them move 75 yards in 10 plays to score their first touchdown and knot the score at 7.
He took his first carry and went over left guard for 3 yards.
He caught a screen pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick for 13 yards and a first down at the Buffalo 46.
Gaskin went over right guard for 1 yard, and then shot up the middle for 8 yards to the Buffalo 37.
He took a breather and watched as Fitzpatrick threw a short touchdown pass to cap the drive.
Gaskin could take a bow at that point. He had done his job.
Series 2: As the first half wound down, Gaskin was inserted for another Dolphins series and he provided yet another spark.
Fitzpatrick missed him on another screen pass, but the former Husky tailback snapped off a 14-yard gainer over the right side, giving him a team-leading 26 yards on four carries.
The Dolphins went in and kicked a field goal right before the break, pulling within 17-10 of the Bills.
It was halftime. One change the coaching staff should have considered for the second half — utilize Myles Gaskin more.
Game delay: The Dolphins and Bills stayed in their locker rooms for an extended time, with play suspended until a lightning storm passes through the Miami area.
Series 3: Gaskin started at running back to open the second half. He ran one over right guard for 9 yards.
He went around right end for 13 more, getting pushed out of bounds, but the play was negated by a Miami penalty.
The Dolphins settled for a field goal, cutting the deficit to 17-13.
Good things happened with Gaskin on the field. He had 35 yards rushing in 5 carries.
Series 4: Later in the third quarter, the Dolphins used all three of their backs in Gaskin, Howard and Breida to move 44 yards in 10 plays for a go-ahead score, making it Miami 20-17.
Gaskin had runs of 9 yards to the Buffalo 18 and 2 yards to the Bills 7, setting up Howard's 2-yard touchdown plunge. The ex-Husky totaled 46 yards on 7 carries to that point.
The Dolphins defense, however, gave up another score, with Buffalo moving back in front 24-20.
Series 5: Gaskin caught his third pass, a 10-yarder over the middle, but it's not enough to overcome a 3rd-and-19 situation and Miami punted with three-plus minutes remaining.
The Miami secondary, a problem area, bot blitzed for another score, dropping the Dolphins behind 31-20.
In its hurry-up offense, Miami moved 75 yards in 9 plays to score and whittle the lead to 31-28. Gaskin had catches of 8 and 3 yards to help make it happen.
But it was too little, too late.
Again, they should have used Gaskin more.
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