Miami Dolphins instant grades for 21-17 victory over New Orleans Saints

MIAMI GARDENS — Grading the Miami Dolphins for their 21-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints.

Quarterback

One play after a Zach Sieler fumble recovery, Tua Tagovailoa was looking for a scoring pass to Jaylen Waddle but instead threw an interception to hand the ball right back to the Saints. Tagovailoa also missed Julian Hill on what should have been an easy toss for a first down on third-and-1 in the third quarter. Tagovailoa was sacked four times. Some were on the line, others because he held onto the ball. He nearly threw a costly interception in the second half.

Grade: D-plus

Running backs

De'Von Achane ran 29 yards for a touchdown to start the festivities and never looked back. Twelve games in, he already has 1,000 yards, finishing with 134 on the day.

Grade: A

Receivers

TE Darren Waller was welcomed back with a 34-yard catch. The Saints didn't bother to have anyone cover him on the play.

Grade: C-plus

Offensive line

RT Austin Jackson returned and started and made his presence known early, helping clear a path for De'Von Achane's 29-yard touchdown run to open the game. FB Alec Ingold and TE Julian Hill also threw key blocks. Although the line opened holes for the run game, the protection for Tagovailoa should have been better.

Grade: B-minus

Defensive line

Zach Sieler hustled to chase down a running back for a 1-yard loss. Zeek Biggers had .5 sacks.

Grade: B

Linebackers

Tyrell Dodson had a nice pass break-up on third down, forcing a punt. ... Jordyn Brooks had a tackle for loss. ... Chop Robinson had 1.5 sacks, three QB hits and a tackle for loss. He also stuffed Saints QB Tyler Shough for the decisive no-gain on fourth-and-1 with 29 seconds left to clinch the victory. ... Bradley Chubb had a third-down sack to force a punt.

Grade: B

Defensive backs

Minkah Fitzpatrick had a strip-sack, setting up a fumble recovery by Sieler. But he saved his best moment for the end. With 1:17 left, he denied the Saints a tying two-point conversion, intercepting the pass and returning it for two points. ... Rasul Douglas had an interception to end a rare Saints threat.

Grade: A-minus

Special teams

Riley Patterson continues to be Mr. Reliable in place of Jason Sanders, making all four field-goal attempts, including a 48-yarder.

Grade: B

Coaching

Mike McDaniel stuck with the run and it paid off. He also made sure the Dolphins didn't overlook New Orleans.

Grade: B

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: How did the Miami Dolphins grade out for victory over New Orleans Saints?