Tua Tagovailoa falls to Josh Allen

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — The Miami Dolphins lost at Buffalo Bills 30-27, Sunday at Highmark Stadium.

Tua Tagovailoa went from toe to toe Josh Allenbut Miami’s defense came up short again.

The game ended on a 61-yard field goal by Buffalo’s Tyler Bass with five seconds left.

The Dolphins are 2-6 and dangerously close to any chance of a playoff run.

The Bills are 7-2 and could reach the AFC East very soon.

Miami is 1-13 in its last fourteen regular-season games against Buffalo.

Tua is 1-8 against Buffalo.

Allen is 12-2 against Miami.

Here are our instant numbers for Dolphins at Bills

Quarterback

Tua Tagovailoa was sacked after dropping what looked like a decent snap from Aaron Brewer. Tua had a cool, no-look kick pass to Jonnu Smith. Tua completed a short pass to De’Von Achane and he took it in for a 14-yard score and a 10-3 Miami lead. In the first half, an efficient Tua had a passer rating of 128.0. Tua scrambled and dove on a fourth-down run in the fourth quarter.

Figure: b

Run back

Raheem Mostert had a tone-setter in the first quarter, leaving Bills safety Taylor Rapp behind at the end of a good catch-and-run on third down. Mostert had a key 14-yard run up the middle that helped Miami escape from their own end zone. Mostert’s value, despite 1,000 yards and 18 rushing touchdowns last season, was somehow still underrated in 2024.

De’Von Achane put up a key third down near the Bills goal line. Achane is such a valuable receiving threat. Miami’s third best receiver, actually. Mostert fumbled on Miami’s first drive of the second half when the ball was cleared. The Dolphins have had seven fumbles in the last three games. And they are the leaders in that category.

Fullback Alec Ingold aggravated a calf injury in the second half.

Figure: B+

Wide receiver

In the first quarter, Odell Beckham Jr. had his first catch for the Dolphins. Later in the first half he got a second in traffic. In the fourth quarter, Beckham came up short on what was initially ruled a fumble.

Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle will likely have fewer targets, especially deep targets, as Miami does everything it can to stay in games against teams like Buffalo.

Yes, everyone knows this will upset fantasy football owners. Oh well.

In the third quarter, Hill made a spectacular sideline grab for a gain of 28 yards. Later, Hill pulled in a 27-yarder over the middle from Tua, who was delivering a pass when he was hit.

Figure: b

Tight end

Durham Smythe had a false start. Smythe, who stepped in more for the injured Julian Hill, was also involved in blocking as Raheem Mostert and Miami failed to convert on a 3rd-and-1 run.

Tanner Conner had an offensive pass interference call on Miami in Buffalo’s red zone. Jonnu Smith was once again involved in Miami’s death scheme.

Figure: C-

Offensive line

Austin Jackson had a false start. The Dolphins generally did a solid job in the run game and in pass blocking. Through three quarters, Miami allowed just one sack. Miami also topped 100 rushing yards. Miami offensive line coach Butch Barry has done a good job again in 2024.

Figure: b

Defensive line

Da’Shawn Hand was tackled for loss. The Bills ran the ball quite effectively.

Figure: C+

Linebackers/Edge

Anthony Walker started at inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks, likely because David Long has struggled in recent games. And Walker was active. Hak Robinson received pressure from Josh Allen after running around Dion Dawkins. Later, Chop got another one. He was very active and showed high motor skills.

Emmanuel Ogbah had a very impressive chase and tackle for loss of seven yards on Allen to force a Bills punt. Ogbah is playing with a torn bicep.

Figure: C+

Defensive backs

Cornerback Jalen Ramsey had an impressive interception of Josh Allen. He defended a slant near Miami’s goal line and snatched a bobble from Bills rookie receiver Keon Coleman. Cam Smith was involved in a number of defensive penalties shortly before halftime.

Jordan Poyer and Kendall Fuller were the two closest defenders as Mack Hollins caught a fourth-down pass from Josh Allen for a 12-10 Bills lead. Later, Marcus Maye failed to tackle Bills running back Ray Davis at the Miami 42-yard line, allowing Ray Davis to go 63 yards for a score, leading to a 20–13 lead.

Former Bills defenseman Siran Neal was called for holding on a third-down incompletion by Allen. Poyer was assessed an unnecessary roughness penalty on Buffalo’s game-winning drive.

Figure: C-

Special teams

Jake Bailey had a bad punt of 37 yards and things got even worse when the Bills then returned it 29 yards. Jason Sanders made a 39-yard field goal to tie the score at 7. Sanders made a 23-yard field goal to give Miami a 13-12 lead.

Figure: c

Coaching

Mike McDaniel has a plan to commit to the run, and once again it was a smart plan. Miami’s defense, coached by first-year defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver, collapsed a little too often late in games. And Allen led the touchdown drives, capped by two touchdown passes in the third quarter.

Figure: b

Joe Schad is a journalist who reports on the Miami Dolphins and the NFL in The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at [email protected] and follow him further Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s for free every week Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Support our work by subscribing today.