MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) - Adam Gase’s shirt remained dry following his first victory as a head coach because he was hot under the collar.
The Miami Dolphins coach was in no mood to celebrate after his team eked out an unsightly 30-24 win Sunday against the woebegone Cleveland Browns. When Jay Ajayi scored the winning touchdown on an 11-yard run with 8:26 left in overtime, Gase’s players knew better than to give their new coach a celebratory sports drink bath.
“We come out here in our first game at home to showcase to our own fans what we’re all about, and offensively we’re out there flopping around,” said Gase, who called the plays. “It irritated me a little bit. It still does.”
The game was the only one in the NFL between 0-2 teams, and looked it. The Dolphins won because Browns kicker Cody Parkey - signed Saturday as an injury replacement - missed three field goal attempts, including a 46-yarder on the final play of regulation.
“It’s a terrible way to win,” Miami defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said. “But we’ll take it for sure.”
Here are things to know as both teams try to rebound from a ragged afternoon:
SPUTTERING DOLPHINS
The game marked the regular-season unveiling of the Dolphins’ renovated stadium and drew a sellout crowd of 65,176. But the home team’s performance had fans fleeing in the fourth quarter.
“We’re too up and down on offense,” Gase said. “I’m going to get that fixed fast.”
He’ll have to hustle - Miami plays again Thursday at Cincinnati (1-2).
“We have our hands full,” quarterback Ryan Tannehill said. “We’re three games in - too far in to have the kind of mistakes we’re having.”
Tannehill threw for 319 yards and three scores, but none of Miami’s four running backs was able to spark a ground game that has been awful so far this year. Gase also benched right tackle Ja’Wuan James in the fourth quarter.
Tannehill is the leading rusher for the season with 54 yards.
JACKSON’S DECISION
Browns first-year coach Hue Jackson won the toss to start overtime and decided to kick off, a decision his counterpart understood.
“The way we were playing offensively, it was probably a good idea,” Gase said.
Miami players were miffed, however.
“Very disrespectful,” receiver Jarvis Landry said.
“It was dumb,” defensive end Jason Jones said. “You always take the ball. They made their decision, and we won.”
The decision looked wise when the Dolphins were quickly forced to punt. But Cleveland backpedaled to a fourth-and-24 before punting, giving the Dolphins a short field that led to the winning score.
Jackson said he made the coin-toss decision after some consideration.
“I thought our defense was playing hot,” Jackson said. “I thought it was the right strategy. We just got pinned back there.”
NEWCOMER MISFIRES
Parkey signed after kicker Patrick Murray hurt his knee in a walkthrough Friday, and the Browns newcomer arrived in Miami without taking a single kick with the team.
He went 3 for 6 on field goals, with all of his misses to the left, including one off the upright. His misfire at the end of regulation spoiled Cleveland’s bid to overcome an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit.
“It’s my first time kicking with the snap and holder here,” Parkey said. “It’s not an excuse. I have to make every kick regardless.”
PRYOR’S PERFORMANCE
Terrelle Pryor did everything but kick field goals, and maybe he should have done that too.
Pryor threw five passes in spot duty at quarterback, caught eight passes, ran for a 3-yard touchdown, and even played safety on the final play of the first half.
“That’s what I expect from Terrelle,” Jackson said.
Since the AFL-NFL merger, no player had as many throws, rushes and catches in the same game.
“He’s a dynamic athlete,” Suh said. “Whether he’s playing quarterback or wide receiver, he’s obviously effective.”
Cody Kessler , the Browns’ third starting QB this season, went 21 for 33 passes for 244 yards.
INJURIES
The Dolphins have a long injury list with little time to heal.
Tight end Jordan Cameron, who has a history of concussions, was evaluated for one in the second quarter and didn’t return. Center Anthony Steen (ankle) departed in the fourth quarter, forcing third-stringer Kraig Urbik into the game.
Linebacker Koa Misi (neck) and Jelani Jenkins (thigh) were also sidelined.
Cornerback Tramon Williams (shoulder) was hurt in the fourth quarter, who play Sunday at Washington (1-2).
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