With the Dolphins leading, 21-17, Thomas Morstead booted a punt from his own end zone into the backside of teammate Trent Sherfield, cutting the Dolphins’ lead to 21-19 with 1:33 left. Buffalo needed a game-winning field goal and the Dolphins defense held.— Chris Perkins. The Dolphins have a tough game ahead at Cincinnati on Thursday, but if you’ re keeping track of.
Here are some takeaways from the Miami Dolphins’ incredible win over the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium:
You gotta play it ‘til the end
With the Dolphins leading, 21-17, Thomas Morstead booted a punt from his own end zone into the backside of teammate Trent Sherfield, cutting the Dolphins’ lead to 21-19 with 1:33 left. Morstead helped save the day with his free kick that traveled to the Buffalo 6-yard line and was returned to the Bills 23-yard line. Buffalo needed a game-winning field goal and the Dolphins defense held. — Chris Perkins
Dolphins playoff chances now 76%
The Dolphins, according to the NFL, have a 76% chance of making the playoffs with a 3-0 start in a 17-game season. The Dolphins, of course, started 3-0 in 2013 and 2018 and missed the playoffs, but this 3-0 start has a different feel. Not only are expectations higher, the team is better and better-equipped to deal with changing expectations. The Dolphins have a tough game ahead at Cincinnati on Thursday, but if you’re keeping track of tiebreakers the Dolphins are 2-0 against AFC East opponents and 3-0 against AFC opponents.
Dolphins offense still finding itself
The Dolphins offense hasn’t scored more than seven points in any quarter this season aside from that impressive 28-point showing in the fourth quarter at Baltimore. It seemed the Dolphins would attack Buffalo’s secondary, which was missing three starters from a week ago (All Pro safeties Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde, and cornerback Dane Jackson). But that didn’t happen. Dolphins wide receivers Tyreek Hill (two receptions, 33 yards) and Jaylen Waddle (four receptions, 102 yards) had relatively low-key contributions considering their high-spirited moments from earlier this season.
Dolphins defense still ballin’
Safety Jevon Holland had a strip-sack on Bills quarterback Josh Allen that defensive end Melvin Ingram recovered at the Bills 6-yard line. The Dolphins began the day tied for 10th in forced turnovers with three. The Dolphins defense held Buffalo to a reasonable point total (17) and had a decent showing overall, limiting both Allen (42 of 63, 400 yards, two touchdowns, 94.7 passer rating) and wide receiver Stefon Diggs (seven receptions, 74 yards).
Tua leaves briefly, then returns, answering durability questions
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, whose durability has been questioned, showed some toughness when he appeared to get his bell rung late in the second quarter. Tagovailoa was shoved down by linebacker Matt Milano and appeared to have his head hit the ground. Tagovailoa stood up briefly, was wobbly, then went to the ground and went to the locker room with trainers. Tagovailoa only missed three plays (backup Teddy Bridgewater was 0 for 2) and returned for the start of the third quarter. Of course, with third-team quarterback Skylar Thompson inactive the Dolphins avoided a potentially nerve-racking situation. It’s unclear who would have served as Bridgewater’s backup.
Right tackle shuffle
The Dolphins again showed some depth at right tackle, going four deep and doing OK against the likes of Bills pass rushers Von Miller and Greg Rousseau.
