DAVIE, Fla. -- The Miami Dolphins' losing streak reached four games after Sunday’s 30-20 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In what was essentially a must-win game, quarterback Jay Cutler picked an awful time to have his first multi-interception performance of the season.
Cutler threw three interceptions to the Bucs (4-6) in the first two quarters before being taken out of the game and evaluated for a concussion at halftime. Here is a look at Cutler’s performance:
Stats: 6-of-12 passing, 83 yards, one touchdown, three interceptions and a 60.8 passer rating.
What I liked: There wasn’t much to like from Cutler in this game, and there was a smaller sample size. Cutler was injured on the final play of the first half and didn’t return. Cutler’s best throw didn’t count in the stat sheet. He threw a 40-yard bomb to a leaping Jarvis Landry, but the play was called back due to a holding penalty on guard Jermon Bushrod. It was that kind of day overall for Cutler in the first half, where Miami trailed 20-7.
What I didn’t like: Many of Cutler’s bad habits continue to show. The poor mechanics and questionable ball placement have been constants. At times, Cutler also looks like a quarterback who doesn’t want to take hits in the pocket in order to make plays. The interception Cutler threw across his body was one of his worst throws of the season. But to Cutler’s credit, it could be debated that two of his three interceptions were not his fault. Receiver DeVante Parker dropped a pass that was picked off by Robert McClain. Cutler’s first pick was a timing route where Parker was tripped and the timing was off. Either way, Cutler didn’t give his team much of a chance to win this game.
Grade: F
What’s next: The Dolphins (4-6) have perhaps their toughest game on the schedule Sunday on the road against the New England Patriots (8-2). Miami is currently 17-point underdogs against the reigning Super Bowl champions. Whether Cutler plays against the Patriots depends on if he can clear concussion protocol.
