The Miami Dolphins have yet to secure a win after three games, leading to increased concern.
With the game on the line and the Dolphins threatening to tie the score with three minutes remaining, Terrel Bernard quickly moved to his left and successfully intercepted Tua Tagovailoa’s pass in front of receiver Jaylen Waddle. This play secured a 31-21 victory for the Buffalo Bills and extended their sustained dominance over their AFC East rival on Thursday night.
Miscommunications and a lack of discipline have resulted in an 0-3 start for the Dolphins for the first time since 2019, raising additional questions about Coach Mike McDaniel’s job security.
“I’m never proud of a loss. We came here to win, and I refuse to take moral victories as the head coach of the Miami Dolphins,” McDaniel said. “It wasn’t good enough, so that’s where I’m at.”
After leading the team to the playoffs in each of his first two seasons, McDaniel’s record has since been 8-13 following a wild-card loss to Kansas City in 2023.
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Tagovailoa’s interception—the sole turnover of the game—occurred when Miami trailed 28-21 and faced a first-and-10 at Buffalo’s 21-yard line. However, this was not the only mistake made during the contest.
The momentum changed with ten minutes remaining when the score was tied at 21.
During a punt from midfield on fourth-and-7, Miami’s defensive tackle Zach Sieler was called for roughing the punter, Cameron Johnston.
Josh Allen delivered three touchdown passes, including a go-ahead 15-yard completion to Khalil Shakir with 7:17 remaining. James Cook contributed with a 2-yard rushing touchdown and totaled 108 rushing yards, marking the first time a player has surpassed 100 yards against Miami in 36 games. The Bills (3-0) have now won 14 of their last 15 meetings with the Dolphins, including seven consecutive wins, counting playoff games.
The Dolphins played commendably and demonstrated strong competitiveness against one of the top teams in the league in Buffalo. Kudos to the team for performing well across all phases of the game. They remained engaged until the final moments and were in a position to secure the victory.
Although his production has been limited, Tyreek Hill has demonstrated leadership and spoken positively about the team, highlighting their resilience, competitiveness, and his confidence in the team’s direction and coaching staff.
Darren Waller is expected to return to play soon after experiencing a setback in his hip injury recovery. His return will provide a significant boost to the team. Waller’s presence on the field is highly anticipated, as it will strengthen the team’s offensive options. The tight end position has not played a prominent role in this year’s offense, unlike last year when Jonnu Smith was a key contributor.
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