The Miami Dolphins’ frustrating start to the 2025 season carried into Week 3, as they fell 31-21 to the Buffalo Bills on Thursday Night Football. While Miami battled hard and kept pace for much of the night, errors and missed opportunities once again left them without a win.
The game’s most debated moment came right before halftime. With just two seconds remaining and the score tied 14-14, Buffalo lined up at its own 30-yard line to run out the clock. Quarterback Josh Allen mishandled the snap and appeared never to go down to one knee while in possession of the ball. Instead, Allen stood, flipped the football to the referee, and the officials immediately ended the half.
The ruling left many confused. Referees determined that although Allen was not on the ground, his actions showed he was giving himself up, making the play dead by rule. Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel did not share that interpretation and stated that the team would “be in talks with the league” to gain clarity on why the play was officiated that way.
The Dolphins had entered the matchup as heavy underdogs, given Buffalo’s strong start and Miami’s shaky performances through two weeks. Yet, Miami managed to rally late in the first half and tie the game with a touchdown before the disputed play sent them into halftime level. The controversy only added to Miami’s frustrations once the Bills pulled away in the second half.
For McDaniel and his team, the bigger issue remains their 0-3 start. While Week 1 brought a blowout loss to the Indianapolis Colts, the Dolphins have shown incremental progress in the past two weeks. Still, without wins, pressure continues to mount both inside and outside the locker room.
Miami now turns its focus to Week 4, where they will face the New York Jets on Monday Night Football. The Jets are dealing with their own quarterback struggles, giving the Dolphins hope of finally securing a victory. McDaniel and his staff will use the extended break to regroup, address mistakes, and prepare a game plan that can help prevent their season from spiraling further.
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