The Miami Dolphins and Buffalo Payments confronted off within the Thursday Evening Soccer kickoff to Week 3 of the 2025 NFL season. The AFC East rivals entered the sport headed in reverse instructions, with Miami in search of their first win of the yr whereas Buffalo was seeking to stay undefeated.
The sport was not the blowout many anticipated, with Miami placing up a combat till late within the recreation. Two massive errors within the fourth quarter sealed the sport for the Payments, however the Dolphins seemed much more aggressive than they’d within the first two video games.
Buffalo superior to 3-0 with the win whereas Miami drops to 0-3. Buffalo hosts the New Orleans Saints in Week 4, whereas Miami hosts the New York Jets on Monday Evening Soccer.
Dolphins first possession
The Payments gained the coin toss and deferred to the second half, giving Miami the ball first. The Dolphins offense got here out seeking to silence the naysayers and the Highmark Stadium crowd. Vast receiver Dee Eskridge began issues off with a 55-yard kickoff return, giving the Dolphins the ball on the Payments’ 46-yard line. Over 10 performs, Miami threw the ball 4 instances, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa finishing all 4 for 29 yards and a mix of working backs De’Von Achane and Ollie Gordon II selecting up 23 yards on six carries. Gordon completed the drive with a two-yard energy run up the center for the rating.
That may be a nice begin for a Dolphins crew that has been gradual within the opening intervals for the primary two weeks this yr. It is only one drive, however that felt extra like an efficient crew that may compete. Can the protection do the identical now?
The Payments opened their drive at their very own 15-yard line after an pointless roughness penalty on the kick return. They regained the misplaced yardage on the primary play as Miami cornerback Jack Jones was referred to as for defensive move interference after he grabbed broad receiver Keon Coleman’s collar and by no means let go. Buffalo turned the drive over to working again James Cook dinner for a lot of the drive, selecting up 30 yards on three runs, earlier than quarterback Josh Allen threw to tight finish Dalton Kincaid for 9 yards, then two performs later, discovered Kincaid once more for a 20-yard landing move.
The protection was getting run over on the market. They need to be robust at stopping the run, however they didn’t seem like it on that drive. And, tight ends inflicting issues for the Dolphins – what’s new?
Dolphins second possession
Miami opened their second possession at their very own 15-yard line after a 29-yard return from broad receiver Malik Washington was negated by an unlawful block above the waist penalty. Miami couldn’t do something on the possession, lacking on a primary down move, then gaining 5 yards on an Achane carry, solely to have Tagovailoa fumble the snap on Third-and-5. He was capable of decide up the ball and achieve two yards, however Miami punted on the three-and-out drive.
Not the reinforcement of the primary drive Miami wanted. They can’t afford three-and-outs in opposition to the Payments, particularly if the protection goes to battle stopping the run tonight. Tagovailoa must cool down.
Buffalo moved from their very own 37-yard line into Miami territory in two performs, with Cook dinner selecting up 9 yards and broad receiver Elijah Moore gaining 11 yards on a jet sweep that caught the Dolphins protection off guard. Allen then threw to Kincaid over the center for 12 yards earlier than a four-yard run from working again Ty Johnson ended the quarter.
Payments second possession (continued)
On 2nd-and-5, Cook dinner gained three yards earlier than Buffalo transformed for the primary down with a five-yard run from Cook dinner. Three performs later, the Payments had been all the way down to the Miami five-yard line with a primary down. Allen was flushed out of the pocket on the following play, however as he approached the road of scrimmage, he flipped the ball ahead, by way of the dashing Dolphins defenders, with tight finish Jackson Hawes catching the ball for the rating.
The protection must get up. The Payments are doing no matter they need proper now, and the protection appears to be like like they’re a play behind in making an attempt to gradual them down. Why is linebacker Jaelan Phillips in protection a lot? They should get strain on opposing quarterbacks, however they hold dropping one in every of their prime move rushers into protection.
Dolphins third possession
Miami once more went three-and-out on their subsequent third drive following an incomplete move, a throw to Achane for a yard, and an incomplete move.
The Dolphins’ offense goes again into their shell. Tagovailoa doesn’t seem like he’s utterly panicking proper now, which I suppose is an enchancment, however this isn’t going to chop it in opposition to the Payments and their offensive firepower.
The Payments began attacking once more, utilizing a mixture of the move and the run to proceed to gash Miami’s protection. Over 9 performs, the Buffalo offense gained 52 yards and reached the redzone, however a Bradley Chubb sack on Third-and-8 led to a area objective try, with the kick crusing broad left.
Chubb stepped up on the proper second. Now the offense must put up some factors to make the stand value one thing.
Dolphins fourth possession
Miami opened with a two-yard move to Achane, then a seven-yard run from the working again. On Third-and-1, Gordon was capable of push ahead for 4 yards and a primary down. Achane then picked up 4 yards on the primary down, however the Dolphins’ love of the move into the flat bit them on second down, when Achane was hit instantly for a six-yard loss. On Third-and-12, Tagovailoa scrambled away from strain, discovering Hill downfield for 19 yards and a primary down because the clock rolled to the two-minute warning. After two incomplete passes, the Dolphins confronted Third-and-10 from the Payments’ 41-yard line. Tagovailoa threw to Hill close to the primary down line, witht he receiver dropping again towards the road of scrimmage earlier than with the ability to flip up area and switch the play right into a 13-yard achieve and a primary down. Gordon picked up two yards earlier than Buffalo used a timeout with 55 seconds remaining within the half. Achane misplaced two yards on a move from Tagovailoa, however the Payments had to make use of their last timeout after ahead progress was dominated, leaving 47 seconds on the clock. Tagovailoa prevented the strain, then ran for an eight-yard achieve and a primary down on Third-and-7 earlier than utilizing their first day out. After an incomplete move, Achane picked up seven yards on the bottom to arrange Third-and-3 from the Payments 10-yard line. A fast move to Hill for seven yards was adopted by a three-yard move to broad receiver Jaylen Waddle for the rating.
The Dolphins had been completely good on that drive. They labored the clock, compelled the Payments to make use of their timeouts, and got here away with the rating. Completely masterful work there.
The Payments knelt to kill the clock on their drive.
The place has this crew been the primary two weeks? They don’t seem to be good, however they’re competing and so they seem like a crew making an attempt to truly win. They’re standing toe to toe with the Large Unhealthy Payments, and they’re nonetheless standing after the primary half. Can they stick with it within the second half?
The Dolphins’ offense has to determine find out how to get away from the move within the flat. It’s their prime offensive play in the meanwhile. I do know opposing defenses are stacking the center of the sphere and working two-high safeties to maintain Hill and Waddle from getting deep, however there are simply so many passes to the working backs within the flat, and the defenses are firing in to make these brief features or losses. They’ve to determine one thing to open up one thing apart from the dump off into the flat.
The protection must get up. Possibly the Chubb sack will spark one thing, however the Dolphins have the momentum proper now, with the Payments getting the ball to begin the second half. A defensive stand might go an extended approach to holding Miami accountable for the sport.
Opening the second half, the Payments instantly discovered their offensive rhythm after the break, beginning with Allen throwing three straight passes for eight yards, eight yards, and 15 yards earlier than a holding penalty backed the offense up 10 yards. Allen then scrambled by way of the Miami protection for 19 yards on 1st-and-20, then threw to Kincaid for 19 yards. Linebacker Tyrell Dodson sacked Allen on 1st-and-Purpose, however linebacker Jordyn Brooks took Allen to the bottom properly after the whistle and the sack was negated. Cook dinner ran by way of the center of the road on the following snap to offer the Payments the lead once more.
Miami’s protection didn’t make a stand and preserve the crew’s momentum. Allen simply seemed just like the MVP, taking management of the sport and placing the protection again on their heels. Unsure the penalty on the finish really had any impression on the drive, however unsure why Brooks felt the necessity to carry by way of on the play properly after the whistle.
Dolphins fifth possession
The Dolphins began their first possession of the half with a display try and Waddle, solely to have it blown up for a three-yard loss. Achane gained two yards on a second-down run, then Tagovailoa seemed deep to Hill, with the ball going by way of the receiver’s palms as he jumped to attempt to make the catch. Miami punted on the three-and-out drive.
Miami did nothing on the drive. Now they’re placing the strain again on the protection to make a cease and hold them within the recreation. The Dolphins virtually obtained fortunate because the punt return was muffed, however the Payments had been capable of fall on the unfastened ball.
Cornerback Jack Jones blitzed on first all the way down to make a cease on a one-yard run from Cook dinner, then Jones blew up a move to Moore, stopping the completion for no achieve. On Third-and-9, Buffalo accomplished a move to Kincaid, nevertheless it was properly in need of the primary down and the Payments punted.
Girls and gents…the Dolphins protection compelled a punt! It really occurred. Reside. In a recreation. The Payments had been held on third down and had been compelled to kick the ball again to Miami. It’s a rarity this season, nevertheless it did really occur! Now the offense must tie the sport up.
Dolphins sixth possession
Miami didn’t do something with their drive, selecting up 5 yards on an Achane run earlier than two incomplete passes. The Dolphins punted again to the Payments.
Again on the protection. Get the ball again for the offense and hold this inside a rating. Hill slipped on the primary incomplete move after being held (and not using a flag) and limped off the sphere, however was again after a timeout from the Payments. Hopefully that’s nothing main.
Buffalo was capable of decide up a primary down on a Third-and-2 to begin the drive, however the offense stiffened and Allen threw three-straight incomplete passes for Miami to power a second-straight punt.
I’m not positive what is occurring proper now. The protection appears to have discovered themselves. Let’s go!
Dolphins seventh possession
Miami opened the possession with a nine-yard achieve on a move from Tagovailoa to Achane, who made a person miss within the backfield and turned upfield. Gordon then took the handoff for an influence run up the center to choose up the one yard and convert the primary down, solely to have the rookie flip it right into a 16-yard achieve as he broke tackles and stored his steadiness. After Gordon misplaced two yards on first down, rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea was referred to as for being down area on what would have been a 16-yard catch and run for tight finish Julian Hill. On the ensuing 2nd-and-17, Tagovailoa dumped the ball to Achane because the blitz got here into the backfield gaining three yards. The clock ran all the way down to the fourth quarter after the play.
Dolphins seventh possession (continued)
After the break, Miami opened with a fast move throughout the center to Washington for 3 yards earlier than he threw a backwards move throughout the sphere to Achane, who picked up seven yards extra yards. Then Waddle caught a slant for 15 yards on 4th-and-4, giving Miami a primary down on the Payments’ 21-yard line. Achane ran for 14 yards on the following play, with Tagovailoa discovering Hill at the back of the endzone two performs later for the rating.
Okay offense, we see you. After Waddle introduced again the penguin waddle celebration earlier, Hill brings again the backflip. The offense is looking for the enjoyable they’d again in 2023. The drive was rather well accomplished – and people first two performs of the quarter had been nice play calling. Can the protection make a third-straight cease and provides Miami an opportunity to take the lead?
Cook dinner began the drive with an 11-yard run, however a run for no achieve, a move from Allen to Cook dinner for 3 yards, and an incomplete move compelled a third-straight punt. However defensive deal with Zach Sieler was referred to as for roughing the kicker, and the Payments obtained a free first down. Cook dinner then picked up six yards to maneuver the ball to the Miami 30-yard line. Three performs later, Allen threw a display to broad receiver Khalil Shakir, who discovered the endzone from 15 yards out.
Rattling. Simply rattling. That’s not a mistake we often see from Sieler, and it got here again to chew the Dolphins laborious. What seemed like an opportunity to take management of the sport now could be a tricky place for Miami. In the event that they rating rapidly, the Payments can work the clock and win the sport on the finish. In the event that they wait too lengthy, it might ship the sport into extra time, which might nonetheless give the Payments an opportunity to win. After all, that’s all assuming Miami can rating a landing right here.
Dolphins eighth possession
The Dolphins confronted Third-and-8 early within the possession, changing on an 11-yard move to Waddle. Three performs later, they once more confronted a 3rd down, this time Third-and-4. Miami referred to as a timeout earlier than the play, then lined up and Tagovailoa threw a fast move to Waddle for 13 yards and a primary down. A run from Gordon for 4 yards and a finish round from Washington for six yards gave Miami a primary down earlier than Tagovailoa threw an interception, giving the Payments again the ball.
Which may be it. Wow. Tagovailoa was in search of Waddle, however was locked on to him your entire manner and threw it straight into protection. That drive seemed prefer it was going to be an amazing one for Miami, who was systematic with the ball, solely to have it finish within the turnover with three minutes remaining within the recreation. The protection has to make one thing occur instantly.
The drive opened with a 10-yard run from Cook dinner, however a holding penalty backed up the Payments. After a four-yard run from Cook dinner and a Miami timeout, Allen threw an beneath move to Moore, with nobody close to him and the receiver turned it right into a 30-yard achieve. After the two-minute warning, Cook dinner picked up three yards and the Dolphins used their last timeout. Three performs later, the Payments kicked a 48-yard area objective with 27 seconds remaining.
Sieler’s penalty and Tagovailoa’s interception sealed this for the Payments. Rattling.
Dolphins ninth possession
Miami opened with a 12-yard catch and run from tight finish Tanner Conner, adopted by an incomplete move overthrowing Hill on the following snap. With 11 seconds remaining, Washington picked up 14 yards on a display move because the clock ran out.
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