Lynn Bowden Starts to find his Groove in Miami

Lynn Bowden Jr. had a career-high day against the Kansas City Chiefs in Miami this afternoon. Against the NFL’s imperial franchise heading into the next decade, Bowden corralled seven catches for 82 yards in the 33-27 loss, including a play that was designed to use Bowden as a QB.

Nice hesitation step by Lynn Bowden to earn separation for the first down #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/zeoPz9AHHx

— Matt Waldman (@MattWaldman) December 13, 2020

This is a huge bright spot for Bowden after a really bizarre and stagnant start to his NFL career. The Paul Hornung Award winner was drafted in the third round by the Las Vegas Raiders but was traded to Miami after training camp. Following the trade, Bowden was inactive in Week 1 and only played 23 snaps before being placed on COVID-reserve back on November 6th.

Since then Bowden has emerged as a viable pass-catcher in a depleted wide receiver room for Tua Tagovailoa. In the last two games since his return, Bowden has 11 catches for 123 yards and has seen a MASSIVE uptick in playing time. Dolphins head coach Brian Flores and many others around Miami have raved about Bowden in the last few weeks, saying he’s trending in the right direction.

“I think he contributed quite a bit last week,” Flores said on Thursday ahead of today’s matchup against the Chiefs. “I think he had a run for a good chunk and a few passes. I thought he played well last week. He had four or five catches last week, he had a run, made some blocks in the running game, so I think he’s really improving and getting better. His progress over the past three or four weeks has been good. Hopefully, he continues to be productive and help us.”

Not only were his coaches impressed, but many fans and writers in South Beach also believe Bowden is the real deal.

Joe Schad of the Palm Beach Post writes:

“His versatility is key. His elusiveness is a weapon.

Bowden also does not lack confidence. He expects to play and play well. So when he wasn’t playing this year, he concedes now he needed to view it as “a lesson for life.”

Miami can really use a player like Bowden to flourish in the last quarter of the season. The Dolphins can use a player who can do some of the things lightning-quick Albert Wilson, who is opting out of this season, has done in the past.

Bowden believes he has the instincts and physical abilities to make some magic with the ball in his hands.

“Sometimes it comes natural,” Bowden said, adding later, “Sometimes I look at the film and ask myself how I did it.

That’s exactly the type of player Miami needs — a player who makes you want to go back and look at the replay over and over again. Of course, consistency and reliability are two key factors Bowden must focus on, as well.”

Of course, following these sentiments, Bowden backed up the high praise by leading the Dolphins in receptions and yards against the Chiefs.

Things seemed to be trending in the right direction for Bowden in Miami, and he may be a crucial part of a Dolphins team that is on the verge of a playoff birth.