The Buffalo Bills secured another convincing victory over the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night, riding on three first-half touchdown runs from James Cook and two interceptions by Ja'Marcus Ingram to claim a 31-10 win at Hard Rock Stadium.
However, the bigger concern for Miami emerged when quarterback Tua Tagovailoa suffered a concussion late in the third quarter. He was promptly ruled out after a challenging night in which he threw three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Ingram. The Dolphins now face an uncertain future as they assess Tagovailoa, who has a history of concussion-related issues.
Here are the key takeaways from Thursday night for both teams:
Buffalo Bills (2-0)
For much of his career, Josh Allen has been the primary source of rushing touchdowns for the Buffalo Bills. However, that changed on Thursday night during a significant AFC East victory.
With Allen dealing with a left hand injury sustained during a touchdown run in Week 1, James Cook had a standout performance. His three rushing touchdowns propelled the Bills to a commanding 31-10 win over the Dolphins. In this game alone, Cook equaled his total rushing touchdowns from both the previous season and the one before that, each with two.
Cook's first touchdown came on Buffalo's opening drive, following Ingram's first interception, with a 17-yard touchdown pass from Allen. His second score was a 1-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter, while the third came just one play later, as Cook sprinted an untouched 49 yards into the end zone, extending the Bills' lead to 24-7. Since 2006, when ESPN began tracking yards before contact, Cook became the seventh player to achieve a rushing touchdown of 49 yards or more without being touched.
The team totaled 108 rushing yards, with Cook leading the charge with 11 carries for 78 yards and one reception. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady continues to prioritize the run game, while Allen concluded the evening with 13 completions on 19 attempts for 139 yards and one touchdown.
Despite a revamped wide receiver group around him, Allen’s offense has quickly demonstrated its ability to score and capitalize on opportunities.
**Most Surprising Performance:** The Bills have previously found success with defensive backups, but Ja'Marcus Ingram has truly made his mark in the early part of the season. Coach Sean McDermott noted that Ingram would have been a healthy scratch in Week 1 if not for an injury to defensive end Dawuane Smoot. Instead, he stepped in after nickel corner Taron Johnson suffered a forearm injury and Cam Lewis moved to nickel to defend the final play. Against the Dolphins, the undrafted free agent from the University of Buffalo, who spent the last two seasons on the practice squad, shined with two interceptions, including a pick-six. Even when Johnson returns, Ingram should see increased playing time.
**Pivotal Play:** Leading 10-7, on a crucial third-and-12 from the Miami 34-yard line, Allen evaded pressure and delivered a stunning 33-yard pass across his body to running back Ty Johnson. This play set up Cook’s 1-yard rushing touchdown on the next play, establishing a lead the Bills would not relinquish.
**Describe the Game in Two Words:** Statement Maker. This decisive win on the road eliminated any doubt that the AFC East still goes through Buffalo. Since 2020, the Bills are 20-5 against their division, and Allen holds a 12-2 record against the Dolphins. Thursday also marked their fifth consecutive win over Miami, including the postseason.
Miami Dolphins (1-1) 
A nightmare.
There's simply no better way to characterize the Dolphins' loss to the Bills.
Not only did they suffer their 10th defeat in the last 11 meetings against their AFC East rivals, but they may have also lost their starting quarterback for an extended period. Tua Tagovailoa sustained a concussion late in the third quarter after a helmet-to-helmet hit that left him on the ground for several minutes, with teammates and opponents alike kneeling nearby in concern.
While he managed to walk off the field and into the locker room under his own power, the atmosphere at Hard Rock Stadium was eerily silent after Tagovailoa writhed on the turf.
Given Tagovailoa's concussion history—having suffered two diagnosed concussions during the 2022 season—the next 10 days are likely to involve intense scrutiny for both him and the team. If he clears the NFL’s concussion protocol before Miami’s Week 3 game against the Seattle Seahawks, will 10 days be sufficient for the Dolphins to comfortably allow their franchise quarterback to return after yet another head injury?
It’s possible the team may opt to shut him down for a longer period, possibly even considering a stint on injured reserve. This situation is dire, and nothing can be ruled out as Miami's 2024 season now hangs in the balance.
**Troubling trend:** For the second consecutive week, the Dolphins' offense struggled in the first half. Tagovailoa threw his first interception of the season on Miami's opening drive and followed with another two drives later. This highlights a significant flaw in the Dolphins' game plan, as both interceptions were thrown to receivers with whom Tagovailoa has little familiarity—Grant DuBose and Robbie Chosen. The only thing that kept the crowd from leaving at halftime was a 78-yard show from running back De'Von Achane. The Dolphins made almost every mistake possible against a team they couldn't afford to falter against.
**Describe the game in two words:** Utter disaster. The painful loss was tough enough to endure, but with Tagovailoa suffering a third diagnosed concussion, the remainder of the season is now at risk. Given last season's events, the team will be under scrutiny as it figures out how to manage its franchise quarterback moving forward.
**Prediction for next week:** The only silver lining in Thursday's loss was Achane's performance. He stepped up in Raheem Mostert's absence, finishing with 96 yards on 22 carries and scoring Miami's only touchdown. Regardless of Mostert's status for next week, look for Achane to play a prominent role in the offense in Week 3 against the Seahawks, especially if Tagovailoa is unable to participate.
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