Calais Campbell and the Miami Dolphins found little comfort in knowing they had their best performance of the season, yet it still wasn’t enough.
A 30-27 loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday wasn’t the first time the Dolphins fell short against their AFC East rivals, but this defeat might hurt more because they lost on a last-second field goal for the second week in a row, dropping their record to 2-6.
Tua Tagovailoa and the Dolphins kept pace with Josh Allen and the Bills in an exciting second half, only to see Buffalo’s Tyler Bass kick a franchise-record 61-yard field goal with just 5 seconds left.
“It’s like, dang, that one really hurts though because we’re probably off the field, enough time for us to go win a ball game,” Campbell said.
“There’s no moral victories in this game, though. This is probably the best we’ve played as a team, but it wasn’t enough. And that’s heartbreaking,” he added.
“I would’ve liked to have this one. I think this would’ve been huge for us. We did a lot of good ball out there today, but a couple plays here, a couple plays there, that wasn’t enough.”
Tagovailoa had the best game of his career, completing 89% of his passes (25 of 28 for 235 yards). Miami scored 27 points for the second game in a row after not scoring more than 20 in their first six games.
The Dolphins’ defense held Buffalo to just two field goals and forced an interception during the Bills’ first three red zone trips.
However, the Bills continued their dominance over the Dolphins, winning their sixth straight matchup, their 13th out of the last 14 (including playoffs), and their ninth consecutive home win dating back to December 24, 2016.
“Regardless of where we play them, whether it’s here or in Hard Rock (Stadium), we’ve got to find a way to beat them. That’s it,” Tagovailoa said.
Unless they face an unlikely playoff matchup, the Dolphins will have to wait until next year for another chance. Miami has no room for mistakes as it aims for a third straight trip to the playoffs.
“There is growth and you do make sure you emphasize that because you want that to continue,” coach Mike McDaniel said. “So this will hurt, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a bad thing in the big picture. It just depends on what you do with it.”
Miami faced familiar issues again. After losing 10-point leads in their last two games, the Dolphins couldn’t hold onto a 10-6 halftime lead or a 13-12 lead in the third quarter.
Running back Raheem Mostert fumbled on Miami’s first possession of the second half. The Dolphins’ defense failed to stop Buffalo from scoring touchdowns on three straight possessions in the second half. A couple of penalties also extended the Bills’ crucial drive.
Chop Robinson jumped offside on third-and-14 from the Buffalo 26. On the next play, former Bills safety Jordan Poyer was penalized for unnecessary roughness for a helmet-to-helmet hit on receiver Keon Coleman during Allen’s deep throw down the left sideline.
“I’m just playing football. I thought it was a clean play. I felt like I put my helmet right in his chest,” Poyer said. “Apparently the ref didn’t think so, so they called it. It is what it is, it isn’t what it isn’t.”
McDaniel is looking ahead to how the Dolphins can improve as they prepare to visit the Los Angeles Rams for a Monday night game next week.
“I think the team recognizes that they played a better brand of football, so the challenge is whether or not that helps or hurts you,” McDaniel said. “And I really believe in all the guys in the locker room to make sure that although it’s difficult, you have to take it for what it is, apply the growth towards the next opponent.”
