Thursday Night Football was a challenging evening for Dolphins supporters, as the Buffalo Bills delivered a decisive 31-10 victory in Miami. This win marks Buffalo’s 12th triumph in their last 13 meetings with the Dolphins, who now face growing concerns about Tua Tagovailoa’s health and their performance against strong teams under Head Coach Mike McDaniel. During the second half, with the Dolphins trailing 31-10, Tagovailoa scrambled for a first down on a critical fourth-and-4 play but took a severe hit to the head from Bills’ safety Damar Hamlin. He left the field and did not return to the game. Buffalo’s running back James Cook had an exceptional first half, scoring three touchdowns to help the Bills establish a 24-10 lead by halftime. Both teams had made the playoffs last season but were eliminated by the eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. Miami was defeated in a frigid wild-card game in Kansas City, while Buffalo fell at home the following week.
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In another game, the New England Patriots lost their home opener to the Seattle Seahawks, 23-20, in overtime. Seahawks kicker Jason Myers delivered a game-winning 31-yard field goal, securing Seattle’s first road victory of the year. Seattle’s veteran quarterback Geno Smith orchestrated an eight-play, 71-yard drive, reaching the New England 13-yard line to set up the decisive score. Smith completed 33 of 44 passes for 327 yards, including a 56-yard touchdown to DK Metcalf in the first half. Metcalf ended the game with 10 receptions for 129 yards and the long touchdown. For New England, in their home opener under first-year head coach Jerod Mayo, Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown, while Antonio Gibson added 96 rushing yards. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett was 15-for-27 for 149 yards and threw a first-half touchdown to rookie Ja’Lynn Polk.
Game of the Week: Cincinnati Bengals at Kansas City Chiefs
The Game of the Week featured the Cincinnati Bengals against the Kansas City Chiefs. Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes and his offense executed a final-minute drive that set up a game-winning field goal by Harrison Butker. The Bengals struggled as a crucial pass interference call on Bengals safety Daijahn Anthony on fourth down in the last minute kept the Chiefs’ hopes alive. Butker nailed a 51-yard field goal as time expired, giving Kansas City a 26-25 win. Mahomes threw for 151 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The decisive moment came when Mahomes’ pass intended for Rashee Rice on fourth-and-16 from the Kansas City 35 was interfered with by Bengals safety Anthony, resulting in a penalty that moved the Chiefs to the Cincinnati 36. Kansas City then ran down the clock to set up Butker’s winning kick. Joe Burrow passed for 258 yards and two touchdowns, both to Andrei Iosivas, but the Bengals fell short against their rivals for the third consecutive time, including in the AFC Championship game.
Player of the Week: Alvin Kamara (Running Back, New Orleans Saints)
