Miami Dolphins star linebacker Jordyn Brooks won the AFC’s Defensive Player of the Week this week following his 10-tackle, one-sack performance last Sunday in a victory over the Atlanta Falcons.
He’s been one of the lone bright spots on a now 2-7 Dolphins team that looks like it’s headed towards a top-five draft pick. Given his success this season, Brooks is uniquely qualified to call out his teammates when they don’t perform up to the standard set by the team.
On Thursday night, he and the Dolphins fell 28-6 to the Baltimore Ravens, who welcomed back star quarterback Lamar Jackson — and he did just that. Jackson threw for 115 of his 204 passing yards in the second half while Derrick Henry also ran for 89 of his 119 yards in the second half as the Dolphins struggled with turnovers en route to a blowout loss.
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Brooks made it clear that blame for the loss doesn’t belong with the team’s defense.
“I thought (Jackson) had a decent game but a lot of it came at the end when the game was out of reach, in garbage time to be honest,” Brooks said. “I thought we played well defensively, but turnovers, that kills you. Not capitalizing, not scoring when we could. Giving them the ball back, giving them an extra set of downs. Players like that, they’re going to find a way to get in the end zone. We have to capitalize when we have a chance and play complimentary football.”
After trailing 14-6 at the half, Brooks admitted the Dolphins’ two fumbles and an interception from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who didn’t throw a touchdown pass, broke the team’s back.
“Even though the score was what it was (at halftime), we felt like we were playing well enough to win the game,” Brooks said. “But at the end of the day, it’s always going to come down to turnovers. Giving them the ball when they shouldn’t have it. Not scoring when we should it changes the momentum. It changes the game. It changes the spirit. Until we learn how not to beat ourselves, we’re not going to win the football game.”
Miami will attempt to rebound against the Buffalo Bills next week.
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