Giants Overwhelm Dolphins 26-3 in Miami’s Preseason Home Opener

The New York Giants dominated the Miami Dolphins on Saturday, posting a 26-3 victory in Miami’s preseason home opener at Hard Rock Stadium to launch the facility’s 40th season of professional football. The lopsided defeat highlighted significant offensive deficiencies among Miami’s reserve and third-string players, as the Dolphins managed just 102 total yards against New York’s 390.

Starting quarterback Cam Miller struggled for Miami after winning the coin toss and electing to receive, leading the offense to an immediate three-and-out when a pass intended for Kevin Coleman Jr. was deflected. The Dolphins’ inability to sustain drives persisted throughout the matchup, with repeated stalls in field position and execution proving costly against the Giants’ defense.

Coach Jeff Hafley’s directive for backups and third-string players to “earn” their roster spots failed to produce meaningful results on offense. Most of Miami’s regular starters remained in street clothes, including De’Von Achane, Malik Washington, Jordan Brooks, Tyrel Dodson, Patrick Paul, Aaron Brewer, Jonah Savaiinaea, Austin Jackson, Jordan Phillips, Kenneth Grant, Zach Sieler, and starting quarterback Malik Willis.

New York struck first when linebacker Trey Moore sustained a lower-body injury following pressure on Giants quarterback Jameis Winston, forcing trainers to remove him from the field. Winston capitalized immediately with an 11-yard touchdown run on the subsequent play to give the Giants a 6-0 lead.

Miami’s offensive attack produced few highlights, with Miller connecting to Coleman on a 30-yard reception that drew pass interference, though the drive stalled when running back Jaylen Wright fumbled after juking into a Giants defensive lineman. New York recovered the loose ball, stalling the Dolphins’ momentum.

The Giants extended their advantage to 10-0 on Dominic Zvada’s 43-yard field goal following Winston’s 28-yard completion to Darius Slayton and a first-down pass to tight end Theo Johnson. Running back Devin Singletary subsequently broke through Miami’s defense for a 13-yard touchdown to stretch New York’s lead to 17-0.

Miami finally scored late in the first half when placekicker Riley Patterson connected on a 53-yard field goal to cut the deficit to 17-3. The Giants answered with Zvada’s 32-yard field goal before halftime to enter the break leading 20-3.

The second half saw the Dolphins’ defensive line record a sack by Seth Coleman-Lyles and Cam Rice on Giants backup Brandon Allen, forcing a punt. However, Miami’s offense continued to falter, including a failed drive that started from its own 1-yard line and a snap mishandled by quarterback Mark Gronowski.

New York added two additional field goals from Ben Sauls at 37 and 27 yards to reach the final margin of 26-3. Miami sustained injuries to Moore and running back Ollie Gordon II, though Gordon walked to the tunnel under his own power with training staff assistance.

Miller completed 6 of 11 passes for 60 yards, while Coleman led Miami receivers with 31 yards through three quarters. The Dolphins fell to 0-2 in the preseason and will host the Atlanta Falcons on Friday at 7 p.m., potentially marking the return of former Miami starter Tua Tagovailoa, whose participation remains uncertain.