Miami, FL
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.
Miami, FL
10 Miami vs. Ball State free live stream, TV channel: Streaming options to watch Miami football without cable
No. 10 Miami hosts Ball State on Saturday, Sept. 14 starting at 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT) on the ACC Network. If you don’t have cable, here’s how you can watch the game.
Watch Miami vs. Ball State live for free with a free trial to Fubo or with a free trial to DirecTV Stream. Amid the DirecTV-Disney dispute, DirecTV customers are offering $30 credit to Fubo and Sling TV when your one week free trial ends.
What TV channel is the Miami vs. Ball State game on? What time does it start?
Miami vs. Ball State kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. CT) from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida on the ACC Network.
Watch Miami vs. Ball State live for free with a free trial to Fubo or with a free trial to DirecTV Stream.
If you already have cable, you can find what channel FOX is on here: Verizon Fios, Comcast Xfinity,Spectrum/Charter,Optimum/Altice,Cox,DIRECTV,Dish,Hulu, fuboTV, Sling.
What is the cheapest way to watch the Miami vs. Ball State game?
DirecTV Stream and Fubo offer one-week free trials for their services. When the trial ends, DirecTV Stream costs $79.99/month, and Fubo costs $99.99/month. However, during the DirecTV-Disney dispute, which blocks channels like ESPN and ABC, DirecTV is offering its customers $30 off a subscription to Fubo and Sling TV, which offers a four month subscription for $199 for all four months.
MORE SPORTS COVERAGE
Miami Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel on Tua Tagovailoa
Miami Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel on Tua Tagovailoa
MIAMI GARDENS — What matters most now is Tua Tagovailoa’s health.
Tua has had at least three concussions in the last three Miami Dolphins seasons and his status is a question that cannot be answered at the moment.
There was also an important football game played Thursday night, however.
And the Dolphins came up very short on the field at Hard Rock Stadium.
The final score was 31-10 Buffalo, a 12th loss to the Bills in 13 games.
Dolphins routed by Bills and Tua Tagovailoa leaves with concussion
Beyond even the Tua injury, there are reasons to be concerned here.
Some good moments, yes, for De’Von Achane, Jonnu Smith, Jordyn Brooks and Chop Robinson.
But overall, a colossal disappointment. Let’s talk about what we saw on the field, upon further review.
Many coaches believe “The Tape Don’t Lie,” and that list includes coach Mike McDaniel.
“The game tape survives time,” McDaniel says.
Here are some things we noticed from Thursday’s film:
Too many pressures allowed by offensive line
The Dolphins offensive line made big strides in 2023, but Thursday was a step back.
According to Pro Football Focus, Miami allowed 16 pressures, including 7 by right tackle Austin Jackson.
Von Miller went around Jackson for a fourth-and-goal sack of Skylar Thompson.
Other pressure totals included: Kendall Lamm and Lester Cotton, with two apiece.
On the awful Pick Six interception by Tua Tagovailoa that made the score 31-10 – on an attempted throw-away – Lamm and Cotton were unable to slow pressure from Tua’s left side.
Dolphins quarterbacks have been sacked five times in the first two weeks.
On one sack on Thursday, Robert Jones was overpowered by Ed Oliver.
On the bright side, PFF has Liam Eichenberg and Aaron Brewer graded as Miami’s third and fourth best offensive players through two games.
Terron Armstead and De’Von Achane are first and second.
Miami needs DL to step it up; LB play encouraging
Dolphins linebackers Jordyn Brooks and David Long have not been perfect.
But there is a lot to be encouraged about when it comes to Miami’s duo.
They are both fast and physical and play with a chip on their shoulder.
What Miami needs is defensive linemen, especially in the wake of Christian Wilkins’ departure, to do more.
Benito Jones, Brandon Pili, Emmanuel Ogbah, Zach Sieler, Calais Campbell and Da’Shawn Hand have all graded between 44.9 and 67.8 via PFF, with Campbell and Hand grading best.
Will the Dolphins consider promoting NT Naquan Jones and/or DL Jonathan Harris from the practice squad prior to a game at Seattle? It seems something worth monitoring.
Tua’s struggles vs. Bills continue
With so much focus, understandably, on Tua’s health, it would be easy to overlook what was a poor performance, again, against the Bills.
There were three interceptions. The first one could be partially pinned on Grant DuBose. The second one appeared to be a miscommunication with Robbie Anderson.
And the third was was the dagger.
Tua was unable to get the ball out of bounds on an attempted throw-away.
Pick Six. Game.
Against the Jets in his career, Tua is 5-0 with a 97.8 passer rating.
Against the Patriots, Tua is 6-0 with a 92.2 passer rating.
But against the Bills, Tua is 1-7 with a 74.1 passer rating.
Yes, people of Buffalo, the Bills have owned Tua and the Dolphins.
De’Von Achane is a legitimate future star
You wouldn’t know Achane came into the game with an ankle injury.
On day in which Miami struggled to get the ball to stars Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, Achane showed why he is Miami’s future star on offense.
Achane really can do it all.
He can make something from nothing. He can break a tackle. He takes great angles.
He can catch. He can out-run you. He makes good decisions.
Achane may very well end up leading the Dolphins running backs in touches and total yards.
He is the perfect weapon for Mike McDaniel’s offense.
Here’s a crazy stat: The Dolphins have 23 completions on 23 targets to Achane and Jaylen Waddle.
The Dolphins have 25 completions on 50 targets to all other players.
This & That
Chop Robinson had some good moments and according to PFF, only 24 snaps, he had 2 pressures, 2 hurries, 2 tackles and 2 run stops… Safety Jordan Poyer does not appear to have the foot speed he once did and opposing offenses have been attacking that… The Dolphins must be hoping that cornerback Jalen Ramsey has now shaken rust after a couple of so-so performances to open this season… Kader Kohou has a PFF coverage grade of 30.6 through two games. They say Kohou has allowed six catches on eight targets… The shovel pass to Jonnu Smith is a weapon worth considering at least once in every game… Jaylen Wright looked good in his rookie debut, just as we’d seen this summer. That combination of Achane and Wright could really be something in future years… The Dolphins kept Skylar Thompson over Mike White because they like his athleticism, arm strength and potential. It is also true that Thompson’s passer rating of 63.5 in 8 games is 11th among Dolphins quarterbacks since 2012 with at least two games played, behind: White, Tua, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Tannehill, Brock Osweiler, Teddy Bridgewater, Matt Moore, David Fales, Jay Cutler, and Jacoby Brissett. Thompson’s passer rating is ahead of Josh Rosen, who in six games had a passer rating of 52.0.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe. Sign up for Joe’s free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter. Help support our work by subscribing today.
MIAMI – Two people were struck by a car outside a Miami-Dade County school on Friday afternoon.
It happened outside the Caribbean K-8 Center at 11990 SW 200th Street.
Authorities said at least seven others were assessed for possible injuries at the scene, but only three required transport to area hospitals.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue officials said the driver had a medical emergency but did not provide details.
Images from Chopper 4 showed Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel tending to the injured.
A grey subcompact vehicle, showing heavy damage to the front, was on the side of the road.
Police are investigating.
This developing story will be updated as soon as more details become available.
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