The Miami Dolphins dazzled on the offensive end this past Sunday. Then they stunned the heavily favored Buffalo Bills 30-13 in a game that turned out to be a watershed moment for the team. Just one week after suffering a crushing 31-6 defeat to the Cleveland Browns, the Dolphins bounced back, showcasing their resilience and determination.
Entering the contest as 8.5-point underdogs, the Dolphins came out firing, building a 16-0 first half lead on their division rivals. This was a big deal for Miami. This was the first time since 2007 that they shut out the Bills in the first half! The Dolphins’ defense absolutely crushed Buffalo’s offense, establishing a message that would ring through the rest of the game — shocking fans and analysts everywhere.
De’Von Achane was the most Miami star player. He made a huge impact, amassing 225 total yards and two touchdowns on the game. His 59-yard TD run was the exclamation point on a three score Dolphins lead and proving they had the Bills number all day. In an upset that had Miami stopping a seven-game streak of defeat against division rival Buffalo, Achane was the reason for the win.
In the second half, Josh Allen took matters into his own hands. He found Keon Coleman wide open for a terrific 35-yard TD early in the final frame. That only counted as the Bills’ first points of the game, unfortunately coming too little and too late. The Dolphins held on to their poise and control, making sure they’d leave with a blowout victory.
Head coach Mike McDaniel emphasized the importance of belief within the team, stating, “They’ve chosen to believe throughout the whole thing, throughout the whole season.” His perspective is now shared by players across the league, including Broncos linebacker Bradley Chubb. Chubb remarked on the team’s mindset heading into the game: “Everybody had that same mindset…but all of us in there knew and came out and showed it today.”
This victory not only improved Miami’s record but represented the third-largest upset in the NFL this season. TAMU – The resurgent Aggies came out swinging in their first game post-loss to Miami. They showed their resilience to turn adversity into opportunity. McDaniel emphasized that this victory was the second time his team had recovered from one of their worst games. They followed it up with arguably their most complete performance of the season.
Along with their upset over Buffalo, this win was just as important for franchise history. It was Miami’s largest margin of victory over the Bills since a 35-8 win all the way back in 2011. Those milestones only further serve to highlight the effective work McDaniel’s crew has done since his hiring as head coach in 2022.
Despite facing criticism and skepticism from outsiders regarding their chances this season, Chubb expressed confidence in his team’s capabilities: “The sky’s the limit, man. You know what I mean? It’s not delusional — at the end of the day, we know we can do it.” That unshakeable conviction appears to be one of the cornerstones of the Dolphins’ newfound success.
Looking ahead, the Miami Dolphins will face off against the Washington Commanders in an upcoming game that marks an NFL first: a matchup in Spain. The team’s momentum from their recent win against Buffalo will undoubtedly serve as motivation as they prepare for this historic event.
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