The Miami Dolphins vs Buffalo Bills matchup on Thursday Night Football turned out to be far more competitive than many expected. Instead of another lopsided defeat in Buffalo, head coach Mike McDaniel and his team showed resilience, keeping the game close until the final minutes before falling 31-21.
The decisive moment came with just three minutes left when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, under pressure from Deone Walker, threw a costly pass intended for Jaylen Waddle. Linebacker Terrel Bernard jumped the route for a game-sealing interception, setting up a late Buffalo field goal that closed out the scoring. It was another difficult moment for Tagovailoa, whose late turnovers have become a recurring issue as Miami dropped to 0-3.
Earlier, Buffalo had taken control with a nine-play, 65-yard drive that ended in a Josh Allen touchdown pass to Khalil Shakir. The possession was extended by a controversial roughing the punter penalty on Miami’s Zach Sieler, a mistake that shifted momentum firmly in the Bills’ favor.
Dolphins Start Strong with Ollie Gordon II’s First NFL Touchdown
Miami opened the game with energy, highlighted by Dee Eskridge’s 54-yard kickoff return. Tagovailoa connected with Tyreek Hill on a key third down before rookie Ollie Gordon II punched in a 2-yard run for his first career touchdown, giving the Dolphins a 7-0 lead.
The offense continued to shine late in the half with a 16-play, 71-yard drive that chewed up nearly six minutes of clock. Tagovailoa found Waddle for a 3-yard score just before halftime, tying the game at 14. The march included five third-down conversions, including big completions to Hill and an 8-yard scramble by Tagovailoa. It was the Dolphins’ longest drive in 13 years.
Emotions Flare as Dolphins Defense Targets Josh Allen
The second half began with physical play from Miami’s defense. After Allen scrambled for 19 yards, linebacker Tyrel Dodson delivered a hit that triggered a scuffle with Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid. Shortly after, Allen drew another roughness penalty on linebacker Jordyn Brooks, setting up a short James Cook rushing touchdown to give Buffalo a 21-14 edge.
These emotional mistakes proved costly, as Buffalo capitalized on nearly every miscue.
Rookie Running Back Gordon Impresses
Though Miami leaned on other backs as well, Ollie Gordon II continued to flash potential. He finished with nine carries for 38 yards (4.2 average), often gaining tough yards after contact. Analysts argue he deserves more touches moving forward, especially given his performance against a tough Buffalo defense.
Additional Game Notes
The Bills responded quickly after Miami’s opening touchdown, driving 85 yards in seven plays. Allen connected with Dalton Kincaid for a 20-yard score to tie the game at 7.
Buffalo extended its lead with a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jackson Hawes, as Rasul Douglas was caught in coverage hesitation.
Miami’s rookie guard Jonah Savaiinaea showed his inexperience, drawing a penalty for being an ineligible receiver downfield, erasing a 16-yard completion to Julian Hill.
Final Takeaway
The NFL Week 3 highlights show that the Miami Dolphins put up a fight but remain winless at 0-3. Costly errors—including a critical Tua Tagovailoa interception, avoidable penalties, and defensive lapses—allowed the Buffalo Bills to secure the 31-21 victory. Despite the loss, Miami demonstrated flashes of potential, especially in sustained drives and the performance of rookie running back Ollie Gordon II.
