Facing a seven-point deficit with 6:14 remaining in the fourth quarter, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa engineered a crucial drive for the Dolphins. Miami traveled 81 yards downfield on 11 plays, with Tagovailoa stamping off the drive with a seven-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jaylen Waddle that tied the score at 27-27 with 1:38 remaining in the game.
On the following possession, the Buffalo offense found a way to set up kicker Tyler Bass for a game-winning, 61-yard field goal – the longest of his career. Trailing by three with five seconds remaining, the Dolphins were unable to score on the final play of the game, falling to the Bills 30-27 at Highmark Stadium.
Despite the loss, Tagovailoa had an impressive performance, completing a single-game, career-best 89.3% of his passes. He went 25-of-28 for 231 yards and two touchdowns, leading the offense to points on five of their possessions.
Tagovailoa's favorite target was running back De'Von Achane, who caught a team-high eight targets for 58 yards (7.3 avg.). Wide receiver Tyreek Hill tallied four receptions for a team-high 80 yards (20.0 avg.), while tight end Jonnu Smith added five receptions for 46 yards (9.2 avg.).
Miami's rushing attack also had success, as Achane carried the ball 12 times for a game-high 63 yards (5.3 avg.) and a touchdown, while running back Raheem Mostert added 56 yards on his 10 carries (5.6 avg.).
Both teams exchanged punts to start the game before the offenses got rolling.
Buffalo's first scoring drive was ignited by their special teams unit, as a 29-yard return by defensive back Brandon Codrington set up the Bills at Miami's 37-yard line. Seven plays and 15 yards later, Bass nailed a 40-yard field goal through the uprights to give Buffalo an early 3-0 lead with 6:30 left in the first quarter.
Miami answered on its next offensive possession utilizing a blend of the run and pass. Chipping away 5:11 of game time, Tagovailoa was precise on this scoring drive as he completed all four of his passing attempts for 32 yards, including a 17-yard connection with Mostert that moved the sticks for the Dolphins on third-and-11. Kicker Jason Sanders made a 39-yard field goal to tie the game, 3-3, with 1:19 to go in the opening quarter.
Bills quarterback Josh Allen had Buffalo's offense moving on their next drive, as a 15-yard connection with tight end Dalton Kincaid, a 10-yard completion to wide receiver Khalil Shakirand a 13-yard run by running back James Cook created a red zone opportunity. On first-and-10 from Miami's 11-yard line, cornerback Jalen Ramsey came down with his first interception of theseason on a tipped pass intended for rookie wide receiver Keon Coleman.
Ramsey's pick led to the Dolphins' longest scoring drive since Week 1 of the 2018 season against Tennessee. Starting from their own three-yard line, Miami leaned on its ground game to power a 14-play, 97-yard drive that took up 8:21 of game time. In the red zone, Tagovailoa found Achane, who took the designed screen 14 yards for his third score of the season and first touchdown of the game to give the Dolphins a 10-3 lead with 3:20 remaining in the second quarter.
Buffalo threatened to answer with a touchdown of their own on the following drive, but back-to-back holding penalties forced them to settle for a 49-yard field goal, as Miami led 10-6 at halftime.
After Miami fumbled the ball on their opening drive of the second half, every possession from either team for the remainder of the game ended in a score.
Buffalo answered first with a one-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Mack Hollins to give the Bills a 12-10 lead halfway through the third quarter. Miami retook the lead after Sanders connected on a 23-yard field goal, but Buffalo responded on the following series with a 70-yard scoring drive to give them a 20-13 lead entering the fourth quarter.
Miami tied the game at 20 a piece with an eight-yard rushing touchdown from Achane, but Buffalo gained the advantage once more after a two-yard touchdown reception from tight end Quinton Morris. The Dolphins responded with an 11-play, 81-yard scoring drive to knot the game, 27-27, but the seven-yard touchdown from Waddle would be their final score of the day.
Miami will continue their two-game road trip and travel to Los Angeles to take on the Rams on Monday, Nov. 11 at 8:15 p.m. on ESPN.
