MIAMI GARDENS — The Miami Dolphins lost to the Buffalo Bills , 31-10, on "Thursday Night Football" at Hard Rock Stadium.
Far worse and more significantly, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa left the game with a concussion in the third quarter.
This was far from the night Miami had hoped for. Before the game, defensive lineman Zach Sieler stated the team felt it was " time to take the East ."
Well, until something dramatic happens, the AFC East still belongs to Buffalo.
They've beaten Miami 12 of the last 13 meetings.
Tagovailoa threw three interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown by Bills cornerback Ja'Marcus Ingram on an attempted throw-away.
That interception return gave the Bills a 31-10 lead early in the second quarter.
Tua Tagovailoa concussion at least third of NFL career
More importantly, Tagovailoa left the game left in the third quarter after he put his head down at the end of a run and it made contact with the midsection of Bills safety Damar Hamlin.
It was a scary scene. Tua eventually walked off with medical personnel but he appeared a bit uneasy following the collision.
He was quickly diagnosed with a concussion.
Tagovailoa had at least two concussions during the 2022 season and also hit his head in a Buffalo game that season.
After the 2022 season, Tagovailoa even acknowledged he briefly considered retirement .
The Bills are 2-0. The Dolphins are 1-1.
Here are Instant Takeways from Dolphins-Bills
Tua interceptions intended for receivers deep on depth chart
The last regular-season interception of Tua's 2023 season was intended for Chase Claypool.
Claypool did not work out in Miami. And that a regular-season loss to Buffalo that sent Miami to the tundra of Kansas City was capped by a pass attempt to Claypool was brutal.
The first two interceptions of Tua's 2024 season were intended for Grant DuBose and Robbie Chosen.
Not ideal at all. These are receivers who are far more prone to miscommunication or poor route-running because they don't have the repetitions that Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle do.
They're deep on that depth chart.
On Thursday, Tua had two interceptions in the first quarter for the first time in his career.
One possible problem? Miami needs a dependable third receiver who has Tua's trust.
Another possible problem? If Odell Beckham, Jr. is the answer, he has yet to practice with Tua.
Dolphins Run Defense Issues
The Dolphins defense did not have a lot of answers for the Bills offense in their first meeting under new defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver.
Most concerning? Run defense.
James Cook scored a 49-yard TD run through middle in the second quarter for a 24-7 Buffalo lead.
Defensive tackle Da'Shawn Hand was triple-teamed. Linebacker David Long leaned the wrong way and into the wrong gap. Jordyn Brooks and Jordan Poyer were out-run.
The Dolphins allowed 80 rushing yards in the first half as Buffalo averaged 6.7 yards per carry.
Miami's decision not to franchise tag defensive tackle Christian Wilkins is going to be raised any time the team gives up a big run or allows a lot of rushing yards in a game this season.
Cornerback Jalen Ramsey allowed a long pass to running back Ty Johnson that set up a Bills touchdown.
But at least as of now, run defense has to be a great concern more than pass defense for Miami.
De'Von Achane carries the load for Fins
Achane was questionable with an ankle injury but looked good from the start. He had 25 yards on five first-quarter carries.
Achane caught a 5-yard touchdown pass from Tua to help Miami tie Buffalo at 7-7.
It was Achane's 13th touchdown in 13 career games, which is a remarkable career start.
With Raheem Mostert out with a chest injury, Achane's health was paramount.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Achane had posted 90 rushing yards on 21 carries.
At that point, rookie Jaylen Wright had totaled three carries for nine yards.
This & That
Miami continued its early-season success on third-and-1 as fullback Alec Ingold converted yet another one in the first quarter. Ingold was stuffed on a 3rd-and-1 in the second quarter... Calais Campbell is a pass-blocking machine, knocking down Josh Allen's third-down attempt in the third quarter. Entering the game, Campbell had 58 batted passes in 246 game. Giant teammate Emmanuel Ogbah had 39 batted passes in 108 games.... Rookie edge rusher Chop Robinson showed great speed on a sideline-to-sideline run stop... Not a great first half for the Dolphins' offensive line. Robert Jones was overpowered by Ed Oliver for fourth-down sack. Later, Jones was diagnosed with a shoulder injury and was replaced by Lester Cotton . Liam Eichenberg had a false start and Terron Armstead had a hold... Tua showed off his new slim figure with an impressive 14-yard run just before halftime... Linebacker Anthony Walker was called for an illegal motion on a kickoff for a second consecutive game.
Joe Schad is a journalist covering the Miami Dolphins and the NFL at The Palm Beach Post . You can reach him at jschad@pbpost.com and follow him on Instagram and on X @schadjoe . Sign up for Joe's free weekly Dolphins Pulse Newsletter . Help support our work by subscribing today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Miami Dolphins lose to Buffalo Bills, 31-10; Tua Tagovailoa suffers concussion
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