Dolphins hurt themselves again but is there light at the end of the tunnel?
Once again, the Miami Dolphins came up just short against the Buffalo Bills.
They fell 31‑21 on Thursday Night Football and slip to a worrisome 0‑3 start for the first time since 2019.
Offense comes to life
The game was tight through three quarters, but Buffalo seized control in the fourth with a pair of crushing plays.
First, Dolphins defensive tackle Zach Sieler committed a roughing‑the‑punter penalty after forcing what should have been a Buffalo punt with about 12 minutes to go.
Instead, the Bills kept the drive alive and Josh Allen connected with Khalil Shakir for the go‑ahead touchdown.
With under four minutes remaining, Miami were marching and had a chance to tie when linebacker Terrel Bernard stepped in front of Jaylen Waddle for a critical interception. That turnover effectively killed off the Dolphins’ comeback.
Despite the outcome, there were flashes that hinted this team is not ready to roll over. Tua Tagovailoa threw for two touchdowns – one each to Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle – and the offense showed more cohesion than in previous outings.
Miami moved the chains, converting 10 of 15 third downs and also chipped out a season-high in rushing yards and a critical fourth down conversion.
Mistakes continue to haunt the Dolphins
However, those positives were overshadowed by miscues.
The ball security was far from spotless, and discipline slipped at key moments.
Penalties and that interception loom large when the finishes are tight.
Defensive rollercoaster
On the Buffalo side, Josh Allen was efficient – 22 of 28 for 213 yards and three touchdowns – and notched the 200th passing TD of his career on the go‑ahead strike to Shakir.
Running back James Cook also punished Miami on the ground, breaking the century‑yard mark and scoring a rushing touchdown, In doing so, he became the first back to rush for more than 100 yards in 36 games.
Yet despite this, Miami managed three consecutive stops in the second half, until Sieler’s error.
Defensive co-ordinator Anthony Weaver showed multiple fronts and coverages to try and confuse Josh Allen, and players kept stepping up at key moments to make plays.
What next for Miami?
For the Dolphins, the big picture is growing murkier. Coach Mike McDaniel insisted there are “no moral victories”, saying: “We came here to win.”
The offense showed life but in the NFL, what separates good teams from great ones are those late, decisive moments – and once again, the Dolphins fell short.
Looking ahead, Miami has little margin for error. If this stretch of three losses turns into many more, the pressure will only increase – on the coaching staff, on Tua Tagovailoa and on a roster that has to find consistency fast.
