ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Despite delivering what they considered their most well-rounded performance of the season, Calais Campbell and the Miami Dolphins found little comfort in their efforts. The team fell short once again against the Buffalo Bills, suffering a narrow 30-27 defeat. This heartbreaking loss marked Miami’s second consecutive week of losing due to a last-minute field goal, leaving them with a disappointing 2-6 record for the season.
In a thrilling second half, Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins kept pace with Josh Allen and the Bills, only to see Buffalo’s Tyler Bass convert a franchise-record 61-yard field goal with just five seconds remaining on the clock. “It’s like, dang, that one really hurts though because we’re probably off the field, enough time for us to go win a ball game,” Campbell expressed after the game.
He further noted that while the team played their best game to date, it still wasn’t enough to secure a victory. “There’s no moral victories in this game, though,” Campbell said, reflecting on the disappointment. He acknowledged the significant strides the team made on the field, yet lamented that minor miscalculations ultimately cost them the win, stating, “a couple plays here, a couple plays there, that wasn’t enough.”
Tagovailoa showcased outstanding performance, achieving an impressive completion rate of 89%, going 25 for 28 with a total of 235 yards. The Dolphins’ offense scored 27 points for the second consecutive week, after struggling to surpass 20 points in their first six games. Defensively, Miami managed to restrict the Bills to just two field goals and forced an interception during Buffalo’s first three red-zone attempts.
Nonetheless, the Bills continued their stronghold over the Dolphins, marking their sixth consecutive victory over Miami, and extending their record to 13 wins in the last 14 matches, including playoffs, as well as nine straight wins at home since December 2016.
“Regardless of where we play them, whether it’s here or in Hard Rock (Stadium), we’ve got to find a way to beat them. That’s it,” Tagovailoa asserted. Unfortunately, unless an unlikely playoff rematch occurs, the Dolphins will have to wait until next year for another shot at the Bills. With the push for a third consecutive playoff appearance, the Dolphins face a narrow path forward.
Coach Mike McDaniel emphasized the importance of recognizing growth despite the painful nature of the defeat. “There is growth and you do make sure you emphasize that because you want that to continue,” he explained. “This will hurt, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad thing in the big picture. It just depends on what you do with it.”
As has been a theme for Miami this season, the game was marred by recurring issues. After squandering leads in their past two games, the Dolphins struggled to maintain their 10-6 halftime advantage and later a 13-12 lead in the third quarter. Raheem Mostert’s fumble during the first drive of the second half proved costly, as the Bills capitalized and scored touchdowns on three successive possessions.
Two crucial penalties loomed large during the pivotal drive for the Bills. Defensive end Chop Robinson was flagged for jumping offside on a third-and-14 play, allowing the Bills to retain possession. Following that, former Bills safety Jordan Poyer incurred a penalty for unnecessary roughness after hitting Bills receiver Keon Coleman helmet-to-helmet during a deep throw by Allen.
“I’m just playing football. I thought it was a clean play. I felt like I put my helmet right in his chest,” Poyer contended. “Apparently the ref didn’t think so, so they called it. It is what it is, it isn’t what it isn’t.”
Looking ahead, McDaniel expressed hope that the Dolphins can build upon their performance as they prepare for an upcoming matchup against the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night. “I think the team recognizes that they played a better brand of football, so the challenge is whether or not that helps or hurts you,” he remarked. “And I really believe in all the guys in the locker room to make sure that although it’s difficult, you have to take it for what it is, apply the growth towards the next opponent.”