Commentary | Miami’s Devastating Loss

Miami+Dolphins+quarterback+Tua+Tagovailoa+%281%29+drops+to+his+knees+after+getting+injured+in+the+first+quarter+during+a+game+against+the+Buffalo+Bills+in+Miami+Gardens+on+Sunday%2C+September+19%2C+2021.

Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) drops to his knees after getting injured in the first quarter during a game against the Buffalo Bills in Miami Gardens on Sunday, September 19, 2021.

Tommy Thornton, Contributing Writer

On Sunday, the Miami Dolphins disappointed fans and possibly hurt their future of becoming a playoff team after losing to the Buffalo Bills 35-0. No Miami fans rejoiced after the complete blowout that happened at the Dolphins’ home Hard Rock Stadium. 

Some of what the Dolphins lacked during the game was effective pass blocking, ability to stop the run on defense, and catching the footballs. Heading into this game, Tua Tagovailoa was the starting quarterback. Tua did play some of the first quarter, but was hit badly near the ribs after an incomplete pass and was carted out of the game, not playing for the rest of the day. 

With Tua unfortunately not playing, backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett played for the rest of the game with no promise in the position. He did not throw any passing touchdowns, nor did he have a good passer rating, throwing one interception. Of course, the Dolphins couldn’t get the ball moving when the Bills’ offensive line gave the backfield two seconds to throw.

The O-line did not impress. In my eyes, players looked like life-sized gummy bears. Also, the Dolphins’ receivers played poorly, dropping nine passes. This offense looked at its worst this week, and if Miami keeps this up, we are most definitely not going to the playoffs.

The Miami Dolphins defense, in the beginning, could not stop the run. Buffalo running back Devin Singletary’s first run of the game had him scoring a 46-yard touchdown. This was completely awful for the Dolphins heading forward into the game, giving the Bills a quick advantage.

In the second half of the game, the Dolphins held Bills quarterback Josh Allen to few passing yards and let him throw an interception. No one other than Xavien Howard, the Dolphins’ all-pro corner, got this pick. It would be his first interception of the season. That interception gave the Dolphins offense good field position, but unfortunately did not lead to a touchdown.

With this disastrous loss, Miami could at least look at the things they need to work on: their receiving, run and pass blocking, and rushing defense. If Miami could work on those things with the week of practice they have before the next game, the Dolphins should beat the Las Vegas Raiders.