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Miami Got Blown Out 20-7: Why Malik Willis’s One Drive Matters More Than the Score

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Miami Dolphins logo on gradient background — Created by the Sports On Tap desk | Source : Sports On Tap (team logos property of their respective owners)

Malik Willis only needed one series Friday night to prove exactly what he brings to the Miami Dolphins. He straight-up engineered a monster 14-play, 93-yard touchdown drive against the Washington Commanders, giving us an electrifying glimpse of Miami’s new-look offense. Even though the Dolphins ultimately fell 20-7, what Willis showed on that single possession was way more important than the final tally.

Willis Shows Out in Impressive Debut

Willis was on fire from the jump, showing off serious composure, accuracy, and command. He completed four of his five passes for 43 yards, absolutely dropping dimes out there. Plus, he wasn’t afraid to tuck and run, adding nine rushing yards on two carries. That ability to extend plays with his legs? Man, that’s going to be huge for Miami. He just methodically marched them down the field, keeping them ahead of the chains and making it look easy. It was exactly the kind of start you want from your new quarterback, displaying a clear command of the offense.

Achane Adds Spark, But Washington Takes Preseason Win

He wasn’t the only one shining either! Running back De’Von Achane was a beast, too, during his short time out there. He ran for 39 yards on seven carries, averaging a solid 5.6 yards per pop, including that clutch 1-yard touchdown run that capped off Miami’s insane opening possession. Achane’s performance offered an early indication of what Miami’s running game could provide. After those guys took their bows, though, the game flipped. Miami’s starters left, and Washington rolled, scoring 20 unanswered points to grab the preseason victory. Yeah, the scoreboard wasn’t pretty, but for Miami, that final score didn’t really matter.

“Exciting” Start for the Dolphins’ New QB

What Willis showed in his first live-game opportunity with the Dolphins, even in a preseason opener, was way more important than the final tally. His composure, accuracy, and command on that extended scoring drive were legit. Completing 80% of his passes? That’s encouraging, big time. Willis himself sounded hyped about the team’s execution, saying, “It was exciting. Just the consistency of the guys out there, keeping up the energy and the execution all the way down the field. I think they did a great job with their preparation and learning from the practice.” That’s the kind of leadership you wanna hear!

Preseason openers rarely give you all the answers, but Willis’s debut drive? That was *exactly* the type of start the Dolphins wanted to see from their new signal-caller. Keep an eye on this kid, because if that’s just a sneak peek, things are about to get real interesting in Miami.

This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.

Originally reported by The Sporting News.

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