Same Story, Different Night: Dolphins Collapse Late vs. Bills
It happened again. Yet another matchup between the Bills and Dolphins that ended in an eerily similar way: a game-changing turnover from Tua Tagovailoa. This was the strangest part: Mike McDaniel coached a solid game, and the defense locked in after a horrible first half, forcing several key stops. Again, Josh Allen stands victorious over the Fins while Tua falls to 1-9 against Buffalo after a 31-21 loss. In this piece, you will find three takeaways from the Thursday night clash.
Steady Offense Wins the Race?
The Dolphins tested a new offensive style built on slow, steady drives that featured two running backs and varied run packages. The game plan paid off early, with rookie RB Ollie Gordon punching in a touchdown on the opening drive. Gordon remained heavily involved, helping Miami cap a six-minute march before halftime with another score. This approach suited the Dolphins well. Given their struggling offensive line, it reduced pressure on Tua and made the passing attack more dangerous.
The Dolphins again utilized this when down 21-14, running another six-minute drive that was capped off by a Tyreek Hill touchdown. Miami entered Week Three with 27 total rush attempts, the lowest in the league by 14. The Dolphins completely flipped the script and utilized the rushing game the way they anticipated this offseason, rushing 21 total times. This is what Miami has to do this season: run the football, especially while guys like James Daniels and Austin Jackson are out for multiple weeks.
Mental Mistakes HURT!
The Dolphins have always faced a similar problem: mental errors always seem to cost this team, whether it’s a missed tackle, a fumbled snap, or unnecessary penalties. The Dolphins faced the penalty route, which came at a very costly time. It was a 21-21 game, the Dolphins were fresh off an impressive drive capped off by a Tyreek Hill touchdown, and the defense forced a quick punt, which would have given the offense back the ball with momentum. Instead, the Dolphins were called for a brutal roughing-the-punter penalty, where Zach Sieler ran directly into the kicker, automatically giving the Bills a first down. Buffalo would later go on to score on the drive, putting them up 28-21.
The Dolphins made this same mistake in Week One, when Matthew Judon ran into the Colts’ punter right before forcing their first stop of the young season. Some of these mistakes reflect on many things, including a reflection on head coach Mike McDaniel. In this case, McDaniel coached a solid game, but he has been known for his questionable decisions in past games. Moving forward, when the Dolphins finish up a rare stop on defense, please don’t run directly into the punter.
The Dolphins May Just Have the Worst Defense in Football
Blown coverage, missed tackles, and failed defensive stops, the Dolphins’ defense has been at the bottom of the barrel in 2025. Miami has failed to force a single turnover and has also allowed the most scores in the NFL. On Thursday, Josh Allen again returned to his part-ownership of the Dolphins, going 22-for-28 with 213 passing yards and three touchdowns. Every single time Allen plays the Dolphins, he makes driving down the field look almost too easy, leading the Bills to seven yards per completion while their offense rushed for 157 yards, averaging six yards per carry. Miami, once a top-five defensive unit, has now fallen from the sky, which goes to show another failure by general manager Chris Grier.
