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The Bills entered Week 10 expecting a manageable test, but Miami flipped the script with a first half that left Buffalo flat and searching for answers at the break.
Miami seized control early and never let up
The Dolphins imposed their will from the opening drives. By halftime they led 16-0, a margin that felt more decisive than the scoreboard suggested.
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Miami piled up 221 yards in the first 30 minutes. Tua Tagovailoa carved the defense for 133 passing yards and two touchdown throws. One of those scores found Jaylen Waddle on a quick strike.
Momentum swung quickly. A wasted timeout by Miami on the game’s first play barely slowed their push. The rest of the half belonged to them.
Buffalo’s offense stalled amid mounting pressure
Buffalo could not find consistent forward movement. Josh Allen completed 9 of 15 attempts for 73 yards at halftime.
On the ground, James Cook failed to spark the running game. He managed 21 yards on seven carries. Drives stalled, and the Bills left points off the board.
Being held scoreless through the first half was notable. ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg pointed out it was the team’s first halftime shutout since Week 6 of the 2023 season, when Buffalo faced the Giants.
Injuries reshaped Buffalo’s defensive game plan
Two early exits changed personnel math
Buffalo lost key players in the opening minutes. Edge rusher Landon Jackson and veteran cornerback Tre’Davious White both left the game.
Jackson’s absence thinned the pass rush rotation. After his injury, the Bills had only three defensive ends available for the remainder of the half.
Depth questions suddenly became urgent. Missing starters on both the edge and in the secondary forced schematic adjustments.
Halftime stats that tell the story
- Dolphins first-half offense: 221 total yards.
- Tagovailoa: 133 passing yards, 2 TDs.
- Bills passing at half: Josh Allen 9-for-15, 73 yards.
- Top Buffalo rusher: James Cook, 7 carries, 21 yards.
- Halftime score: Dolphins 16, Bills 0.
- Last Buffalo halftime shutout: Week 6, 2023 (vs. Giants), per ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg.
How the bench and play-calling may matter in the second half
With injured starters out, substitutions and scheme tweaks will be critical. Buffalo’s defensive front looks thin. The coaching staff must manage snaps carefully.
The offense needs to find rhythm quickly. Short passes, play-action, and better third-down execution could spark a comeback.
- Watch Josh Allen: Can he stretch drives and avoid turnovers?
- Running game: Will Buffalo commit to blocking adjustments to open lanes?
- Secondary matchups: Who steps up with Tre’Davious White out?
- Rotation at edge: Can backups create enough pressure to slow Tagovailoa?
