Miami, FL

Dolphins-Bills Five Biggest Storylines…And How They Played Out

Published

4 months ago

September 14, 2024

Dolphins-Bills Five Biggest Storylines…And How They Played Out

It was more disappointment and frustration for the Miami Dolphins when they faced the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium on Thursday night.

Of course, the Dolphins’ 12th loss in 13 games in this series took a back seat to the concussion that knocked quarterback Tua Tagovailoa out of the game in the third quarter.

That obviously was the low point on a night full of them, ending with the Dolphins dropping a 31-10 decision.

Earlier, we broke down the five biggest storylines heading into the Week 2 matchup. It’s now time to revisit these storylines to see how they played out.

Before the Game

Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill has been in the news all week because of the incident outside Hard Rock Stadium before the team’s season opener, so that means he will be in the spotlight tonight — even more so than usual. During his press conference, Hill said that football was his escape, and he responded with an 80-yard touchdown against Jacksonville. Another one of those big plays would go a long way for the Dolphins in the game.

During the Game

Buffalo was determined to ensure that Hill wouldn’t beat them deep in this game, so they planned accordingly and kept their safeties deep. Even on one deep shot early on, cornerback Christian Benford got a head start in running back and stayed with Hill step for step. Hill ended up with only three receptions for 24 yards, his lowest totals since he joined the Dolphins outside of the 2022 season when he had two catches for 23 yards against the New York Jets with Skylar Thompson at quarterback. One of those receptions came on a shovel pass, and Hill also had a ten-yard run on an end-around. But the reality is Hill was an absolute non-factor, and the biggest news he made was actually being off the field on the plays that resulted in the first two Buffalo interceptions.

Before the Game

It’s no big secret that the biggest reason for the Bills’ dominance in the series of late is QB Josh Allen, whose numbers against Miami are simply ridiculous. Last year, for example, he passed for 320 and 359 yards in the two matchups with six touchdowns and two interceptions, and also had 67 rushing yards in the game in Miami. But the Dolphins have a new defensive coordinator, which means that maybe the defense has a different answer for Allen, and perhaps this is the one that does the trick. Getting pressure and forcing turnovers always can be a key here, but that’s obviously easier said than done.

During the Game

While Allen will get credit for improving to 12-2 against the Dolphins, the reality is he had little to do with the outcome. This game was about the Buffalo defense and James Cook. Allen passed for a very modest 139 yards and one touchdown. He was efficient, though, and had a couple of big-time throws, a laser to Khalil Shakir over the middle and his 33-yard completion to Ty Johnson off his scramble. But considering how badly Allen hurt the Dolphins’ defense in previous games, this was good work by the Miami defense.

Before the Game

The ability to put pressure on the quarterback could be a factor in this game, as it always is, and two key players here are former University of Miami teammates Jaelan Phillips of the Dolphins and Greg Rousseau of the Bills. Given his circumstances, Phillips had a really impressive 2024 debut, while Rousseau earned AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors with his three-sack performance against the Arizona Cardinals.

During the Game

The Buffalo defensive line dominated the Dolphins’ offensive line, but Ed Oliver and Von Miller did the most damage for the Bills. Rousseau did have four tackles and a tackle for loss, though. Phillips was way more quiet as he failed to register a stat. In the play where Allen threw that 33-yard completion after moving in the pocket, Phillips lost his football, which allowed Allen to move outside easily.

Before the Game

The Dolphins defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars with little contribution from the running game, though that phase did contribute in the fourth quarter. While the Dolphins always have the threat of the big play with Hill and Jaylen Waddle, another effective method to move the ball and keep Josh Allen on the sideline would be to run the ball. The Dolphins are dealing with injuries at running back with Raheem Mostert already ruled out and De’Von Achane nursing an ankle injury, but there’s nothing that says Jeff Wilson, Jr. and rookie Jaylen Wright can’t get the job done.

During the Game

The Dolphins’ poor performance aside, the running game was effective, particularly the work of De’Von Achane. After entering the game with an ankle injury that had him listed as questionable, Achane put on a show with 22 carries for 96 yards. The Dolphins as a team finished with 139 rushing yards, including 101 in the first half before the game got out of hand. But the running game wasn’t enough to overcome the turnovers and the inability to finish drives.

Before the Game

One overlooked aspect of the Buffalo sweep of the Dolphins last season is how much the Bills dominated the second half. The combined score of those two games was 31-6 after halftime. The only time the Dolphins were shut out in the second half of the regular season was in that second Buffalo game. And the six points in the first meeting in Buffalo matched the second-lowest second-half total of the season. In the season finale, the Dolphins rushed for 101 yards on 17 carries in the first half but had only three rushing attempts in the second half despite carrying the lead into the fourth quarter. The rushing game may be where Mike McDaniel needs to stick with what’s working a bit longer. Regardless, the Dolphins need to close this game if they hope to get that big win against Buffalo.

During the Game

The scoreboard will show Buffalo outscoring the Dolphins 7-0 in the second half, though this comes with the major caveat of the Tua injury. It might not be realistic to suggest the Dolphins could have come back to win the game had he not gotten injured, but they did have a first-and-goal with 4:24 left in the third quarter. After his injury and the ensuing fourth-down sack of Skylar Thompson, the rest of the game felt like preseason, so we cannot draw conclusions about the second half.

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Miami, FL

Miami coach pushes back on 'bulls—' narrative Cam Ward quit on his team after setting touchdown record

Published

8 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

Miami coach pushes back on 'bulls—' narrative Cam Ward quit on his team after setting touchdown record

Cam Ward drew up controversy when he didn’t play the second half of the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

Ward played the first half and sat the second after he broke the Division I record for most passing touchdowns in a career (156), surpassing Case Keenum.

Arguments were aplenty.

Many felt Ward took a risk in playing in a meaningless bowl game as potentially the No. 1 overall pick. On the flip side, others felt Ward was selfishly in it for only the record. The Hurricanes lost, 32-31.

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Miami quarterback Cam Ward (1) throws a pass during the first half of the Pop Tarts Bowl NCAA college football game against Iowa State, Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

The future first-round pick received lots of praise and criticism, but his now former head coach, Mario Cristobal, came to his defense this week.

“I don’t feel the need to go race to squash false narratives and a bunch of bulls— that people like to start because that’s their way of doing whatever their job is,” he said on Monday. “That’s where it’s at. That’s where it’s always been. Cam has been an exceptional, an elite, Miami Hurricane. As a competitor, as a player, as a teammate. He’s elevated the profile, the exposure of the University of Miami.

Miami head coach Mario Cristobal and quarterback Cam Ward (1) celebrate a 52-45 win against Louisville at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium in Louisville, Kentucky, on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

EX-FLORIDA QB JESSE PALMER TALKS COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF, FRENCH-ONION BEER, AND SHEDEUR SANDERS, CAM WARD

“He is leaving a legacy that’s gonna be impactful for generations to come. I mean, he’s the best I’ve been around, and I look forward to watching him lead an NFL franchise to championships and watching him play on Sundays.”

“He’s a big reason why he won 10 games and had a chance to really win every game,” Cristobal added. “He set the tone for what the standard is, right, the expectation is going forward — as difficult as that might be and sound.”

Miami controlled its own destiny in the College Football Playoff heading into the final week of the regular season, but the Canes fell to Syracuse to knock themselves out of the ACC title game and lose their chance of making the Playoff. Perhaps the conversation would have gone away on both sides if Ward had more to play for in December.

Miami quarterback Cam Ward (1) stands back to pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Wake Forest, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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Ward and Shedeur Sanders are both in the conversation about being the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft, which is owned by the Tennessee Titans.

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Miami, FL

Sources: Butler reiterates trade demand to Heat

Published

16 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

Sources: Butler reiterates trade demand to Heat

Shams Charania, Senior NBA InsiderJan 14, 2025, 12:20 PM ET

Miami Heat star Jimmy Butler reiterated to team president Pat Riley in a face-to-face meeting last week that he wants to be traded, league sources told ESPN.

Butler told Riley that he will not sign a new deal in Miami and that he intends to use his $52 million player option for 2025-26 in the offseason only as a trade maneuver, sources said.

Butler’s seven-game, team-issued suspension from the Heat — for what was termed “detrimental conduct” — ends Thursday, at which point Miami will be faced with finding a path forward for Butler, with options including a return to the roster or a trade. Heat officials will meet later this week to discuss the best route with Butler, who requested a trade earlier this month, league sources said.

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra and players such as Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo have spoken in the past week about finding clarity and eliminating the distraction of Butler’s circumstances during his absence.

The Heat, 20-18 and in seventh place in the Eastern Conference standings, have gone 3-2 so far on their current six-game road trip. They finish the trip Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers, then host the Denver Nuggets on Friday in Miami.

“This is what we wanted, just to get back on the road, get away from all the chaos,” Herro told reporters after Saturday night’s win over the Portland Trail Blazers. “Rallying around each other, making it about the guys that are here now. We got enough.”

The Heat suspended Butler on Jan. 3, saying in a statement, “Through his actions and statements, he has shown he no longer wants to be part of this team. Jimmy Butler and his representative have indicated that they wish to be traded, therefore, we will listen to offers.”

Spoelstra said the day after Butler’s suspension that the team aimed to “quiet all the distractions.”

The Heat have engaged with multiple teams on Butler trade scenarios and have received offers but have been hesitant to negotiate further, sources said. Riley has not shown an urgency in these talks, as the trade deadline looms Feb. 6, sources added.

ESPN reported on Christmas Day that Butler prefers a trade out of Miami, with the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets as desired destinations. One day later, Riley issued a statement that said, in part: “We will make it clear — we are not trading Jimmy Butler.”

In the midst of that, Butler was sidelined. After 13 days away from the team due to what was called an illness and reconditioning period, Butler had two low-impact games in his return. Butler scored nine points in 25 minutes in a Jan. 1 win over the New Orleans Pelicans and then nine points in 27 minutes in a blowout loss to the Indiana Pacers one night later. He took a total of 11 shots over those two games.

One issue that led to Butler’s decision to request a trade, sources said, was an implication from team officials that he hadn’t played his hardest in the Heat’s victory over the Pelicans on New Year’s Day. Butler had made clear to the Heat before his suspension that he planned to partake in team activities while his status is in limbo, sources said.

Butler is in the final year of a contract that pays him $49 million this season and has a player option for 2025-26. His suspension is slated to cost him $2.35 million, but the National Basketball Players Association filed a grievance, calling the suspension “excessive and inappropriate.”

Butler, 35, is averaging 17.6 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.7 assists while shooting a career-best 55.2% from the field this season — but his 10.5 field goal attempts per game is his fewest since 2013-14. In his career, Butler has been selected to five All-NBA teams, including three during his Heat tenure. His teams have made the playoffs in 12 of his 13 seasons, including the five previous campaigns with Miami, which he has led to two NBA Finals and one additional Eastern Conference finals.

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Miami, FL

Another year, another bad offensive line – The Splash Zone 1/14/25

Published

23 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

Another year, another bad offensive line – The Splash Zone 1/14/25

Stop me if you have heard this before, but the Miami Dolphins didn’t have a good offensive line this season. The two weak points were the guard spots as Robert Jones and Liam Eichenberg were pretty underwhelming. Then it got worse with Terron Armstead fighting through injuries and losing Austin Jackson for the season. At last weeks conference, Chris Grier stated the offensive line would be a point of emphasis this offseason. We can only hope he gets some players in here to fix this mess.

You can check out that story here, and the rest of the day’s round-up below.

‘Not well-constructed.’ How a lack of investment along the O-line doomed the Dolphins in 2024 – Yahoo Sports
‘We’re going to have to invest in the offensive line now,’ general manager Chris Grier said.

Dolphins Quarterbacks

‘Nobody in Football Was Giving Tua $55 Million’ — Former NFL QB Rips Dolphins for Overpaying Tua Tagovailoa
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is being criticized during the team’s offseason — and his contract is the primary target.

Miami Dolphins need a backup QB. Here are 5 NFL draft prospects they could target. – Yahoo Sports
The Miami Dolphins will study quarterbacks in the next NFL Draft, according to general manager Chris Grier. Here are five we like.

Dolphins Defense

Miami Dolphins Lessons from Wild-Card Weekend
The Philadelphia Eagles’ continued success on defense remains a bad look for the Dolphins

Phinsider News You May Have Missed

Reasons for a disappointing Dolphins season – Miami Dolphins News 1/13/25 – The Phinsider
Welcome to the Splash Zone, the quickest way to get your day started off right. We bring you a rundown of Miami Dolphins news from the last 24 hours.

Cam Newton believes Tua Tagovailoa’s Arm Strength Is The Problem – The Phinsider
Cam Newton discusses the Dolphins offensive problems between Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill.

Skylar Thompson no longer a member of Miami Dolphins roster – The Phinsider
Skylar Thompson a free agent after practice squad contract expires.

Miami Dolphins fan confidence poll: Final review of 2024 season – The Phinsider
The Miami Dolphins crashed out of the 2024 NFL regular season with a loss to the New York Jets. How are fans feeling about the direction of the team?

What’s next for Miami Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead? – The Phinsider
Will Miami’s anchor in the trenches return for another season?

Minnesota Vikings @ Los Angeles Rams Live Thread & Game Information – The Phinsider
Join us live to follow and discuss this evening’s NFC Wild Card Round game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Los Angeles Rams.

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