Dolphins Ride Landry's Big Return To Week 1 Win Over Redskins
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LANDOVER (CBSMiami/SportsDirect) – It wasn't the way they drew it up but the Miami Dolphins got what they needed most out of their Week 1 game.
Jarvis Landry's 69-yard punt return propelled the Dolphins to a 17-10 victory over the Washington Redskins in Sunday's opener for both teams.
Washington responded by driving to the Miami 29, but Dolphins cornerback Brice McCain intercepted a Kirk Cousins pass intended for wide receiver Pierre Garcon at the 2-yard line. The Redskins' final series came up short at the Miami 20 with 2:17 left.
Miami, which trailed 10-0 late in the second quarter, opened the second half with quarterback Ryan Tannehill (22-of-34, 226 yards, one touchdown) losing a fumble while being sacked by Washington linebacker Preston Smith.
The Dolphins got the ball back again at their own 20 with 1:47 left in the third quarter. After four straight gains of at least 11 yards, they began the fourth quarter on Washington's 20. Miami had first-and-goal at the 3 but settled for rookie Andrew Franks' tying 22-yard field goal with 11:34 remaining.
Miami's defense then forced Tress Way's punt, which Landry caught and raced up the middle for a touchdown with 10:22 to go.
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The Redskins broke on top 3-0 after the opening drive. Running back Alfred Morris (25 carries, 121 yards) carried six times for 35 yards and Cousins (21-of-31, 196 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions) completed two passes to tight end Jordan Reed for 21 yards during the series, which was capped by Kai Forbath's 45-yard field goal.
Redskins defensive end Jason Hatcher stopped Dolphins running back Lamar Miller for no gain on third down to force a punt on Miami's first series. Washington followed by driving from its 23 to the Miami 2. However, Forbath was wide right from 46 yards on a field goal attempt after coach Jay Gruden opted against going for it on fourth-and-1.
The Redskins' next series ended when Dolphins cornerback Brent Grimes intercepted a Cousins pass for Reed on third-and-18 at the Miami 23. On the next play, the Dolphins lost tight end Dion Sims with a concussion after he dived for Tannehill's pass in the end zone.
Miami coach Joe Philbin went for it on fourth-and-1, but linebacker Ryan Kerrigan stopped running back Damien Williams for no gain.
Washington's offense responded by marching 88 yards in 17 plays for the game's first touchdown, a 4-yard pass from Cousins to Reed with 1:49 left in the half for a 10-0 lead.
Completions of 27 and 13 yards to tight end Jordan Cameron, 11 to receiver Greg Jennings and 12 to receiver Kenny Stills put Miami on the Washington 3 with 39 seconds remaining before halftime.
Receiver Rishard Mathews beat Redskins cornerback David Amerson for the touchdown that made it 10-7 at the break.
NOTES: Redskins WR DeSean Jackson exited with a left hamstring injury suffered on a deep throw from QB Kirk Cousins on the first play of the second series. ... Redskins SS Duke Ihenacho followed suit after injuring his left wrist while tackling Miller on Miami's second series. ... QB Robert Griffin III was the inactive third-stringer after starting Washington's previous three openers.
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