MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins (0-3), whose two costly plays in the fourth quarter of their Week 3 31-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills ultimately decided the outcome, now turn their attention to the New York Jets (0-3), who lost to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday without quarterback Justin Fields due to a concussion.
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel took to the podium Monday after his team had three days to rest, watch film, and begin preparations for another division rival in prime time on Sept. 28 at 7:15 p.m. ET – a game the Dolphins will rock their new “Rivalries” uniforms and helmets.
There were certainly some positive notes to take from Miami’s 10-point loss – notably its run game, which featured De’Von Achane (12 attempts, 62 yards, 5.2 yards per carry) and rookie Ollie Gordon II (nine attempts, 38 yards, 4.2 yards per carry, one touchdown).
As a team, the Dolphins closed with 25 carries for 131 yards (5.2 average).
The Dolphins’ third-down rate was a success as well, converting 10 of their 15 attempts.
On the defensive side of the football, pass-rusher Bradley Chubb, sacked Bills quarterback Josh Allen on third down for a seven-yard loss – his third sack in as many games.
Chubb is the first Dolphins player to record a sack in each of the first three games of the year since Trace Armstrong recorded four consecutive games with a sack to open the 2000 season.
Chubb missed the entire 2024 season due to a knee injury that had cut his 2023 season short.
Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, however, committed his fifth turnover in just three games — and at the worst possible moment, with the Dolphins trailing 28-21 and the team driving deep into Buffalo territory.
Tagovailoa had three turnovers in Week 1, one in Week 2 and another on Thursday.
Entering Week 4, McDaniel’s Dolphins are one of six teams winless – joining the Jets, New Orleans Saints, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants and Houston Texans.
Other than the Jets twice and the Saints on Nov. 30 at Hard Rock Stadium, the Dolphins don’t play any of those teams.
The team will get a boost when it takes the field Monday, as McDaniel noted that tight end Darren Waller, who has yet to make his Dolphins debut due to a hip injury, is set to play, but on a snap count.
“What that is, it’s probably more situational, but I wouldn’t go to all these lengths, have all this build up and then throw him out there for 60 or something,” McDaniel said. “I kind of have an idea roughly what it is, but we’ll see if that idea plays through the practice week.”
In other roster updates, McDaniel said kicker Riley Patterson, who is out of practice squad elevations, will be moved to the 53-man roster.
Cornerback Storm Duck, inactive since Week 2 due to injury, will likely not play against the Jets, and offensive lineman Liam Eichenberg will need more time before he is ready to make his 2025 season debut.
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