Winners, losers as Bills avoid Dolphins upset 31-21 on TNF – NBC Los Angeles

The Buffalo Bills are still undefeated. But the Miami Dolphins have much to worry about.

Buffalo beat Miami at home 31-21 in Week 3 of Thursday Night Football, avoiding an upset thanks to a late interception and ensuing field goal.

Miami started off hot with a deep kickoff return, momentum that sustained for three-and-a-half quarters.

Josh Allen and Co. fared well against a Miami defense that exhibited intriguing upside, but it wasn’t enough for the ‘Fins to prevent a 0-3 mark.

Here are winners and losers from the primetime affair:

WINNER: Josh Allen, Bills

Allen’s repeat league MVP bid is still going strong. The star QB1 threw for 213 yards on 22 of 28 completions, three touchdowns and no picks, taking two sacks.

He didn’t light up the Dolphins secondary as probably anticipated, but he made the throws when he needed to and came away with a no-turnover performance (apart from a fumble scare).

With the win, Allen moved to 8-0 on Thursday games and has not lost to the Dolphins at home, also an 8-0 mark. His record in his last 13 home games is 13-0.

LOSER: Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins

Tagovailoa also wasn’t lighting up the stat sheet, but he was keeping the ball ticking with short throws and the Dolphins’ skill players making moves in the open field.

However, when the Dolphins needed their $212 million QB1 to step up and keep the pressure on, he threw an interception on a short curl route.

Tagavailoa ended the game throwing for just 161 yards on 23 of 35 completions, two touchdowns and one pick, without absorbing a sack. But he didn’t do himself many favors to quiet the criticism.

WINNER: Terrel Bernard, Bills

With both teams moving the ball consistently on offense, it felt like a game that would come down to the first turnover. And given the history of Allen and Tagovailoa, the odds of who blinked first easily tilted towards the latter.

Bringing down the key pick was Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard, who returned it 24 yards. He was also second on Buffalo with seven tackles (five solo), one tackle for loss and a pass defended.

LOSER: Tyrel Dodson, Dolphins

On the opposite side, Miami’s defense also played much better than most had expected. The unit did give up 31 points and 360 total yards, but on an individual level, Tyrel Dodson stood out the most.

He led all defenders with 11 tackles (all solo), one sack, one tackle for loss, one pass defended and a QB hit. The 27-year-old had a slow start but eventually grew into the game.

In the end, Buffalo’s final drive helped seal the deal that flattered the scoreline and stat sheet from what was rather a tight contest between two AFC East foes.

LOSER: Dolphins’ 0-3 playoff odds

Miami entered the season with playoff aspirations, even if its odds weren’t as high with Tagovailoa under center. Now that the team is 0-3, the postseason dream is most likely over.

Since 2000, only the 2018 Houston Texans climbed out of a 0-3 hole to make the playoffs. They did so by rattling a 9-0 run after the third loss. But there aren’t enough indicators that Miami can and will do the same, and the tensions around head coach Mike McDaniel, star wideout Tyreek Hill and more will be worth monitoring.

Former NFL defensive back Jason McCourty breaks down Tyreek Hill’s already historic season and what could be in store the rest of the year.