Dolphins-Bills Week 10 Halftime Insights
The Miami Dolphins showcased their prowess against the Buffalo Bills in a commanding first half during their Week 10 matchup at Hard Rock Stadium. Notably, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle electrified the crowd with a stunning 38-yard touchdown catch, leaving Bills cornerback Maxwell Hairston trailing. As the Dolphins entered halftime with a 16-0 lead, their defense shined throughout the opening two quarters.
Inactives and Roster Moves
Before the game began, the Dolphins announced their list of inactives, primarily featuring injured players. Cornerback Rasul Douglas and tight end Julian Hill were the most notable absences. Rookie seventh-round pick Zeek Biggers was active for only the second time this season, adding a layer of intrigue to Miami’s strategy.
First Quarter Struggles
The Dolphins, opting to receive the opening kickoff after winning the coin toss, aimed for a fast start. However, their opening drive quickly faltered. A false start penalty against fullback Alec Ingold, which many deemed questionable, preceded a timeout that disrupted their momentum. Miami’s deep shot to Waddle on third-and-long fell flat, as Hairston effectively contained him, with safety Cole Bishop lurking for any potential interception.
Defensively, JuJu Brents took on a prominent role, starting at corner in place of Douglas. The defense held strong, with Tyrel Dodson and Bradley Chubb shutting down James Cook on a critical third-and-2. Surprisingly, the Bills opted to punt on fourth-and-1 rather than allowing Josh Allen to attempt a sneak.
Malik Washington’s fair catch inside the 10-yard line on Miami’s second drive raised eyebrows but did not derail their progress. The Dolphins adopted a small-ball approach, utilizing De’Von Achane to propel them downfield. Dodson continued his impressive performance, pressuring Allen into an incomplete pass on a fourth-and-1 attempt.
Second Quarter Brilliance
The second quarter began with fireworks. Waddle burned Hairston downfield, and Tua Tagovailoa connected for a 38-yard touchdown amidst pass interference in the end zone. Miami’s defense continued to dominate, showcasing solid coverage, particularly on Buffalo’s third possession, where Brents excelled in denying Keon Coleman a completion on third-and-10.
As the quarter unfolded, the Dolphins faced a puzzling situation, calling a timeout on a fourth down for Buffalo with less than a yard to go. It seemed inevitable that Allen would sneak for the first down, and when Benito Jones encroached, Buffalo converted.
Jack Jones emerged as a defensive standout, making key plays, including a tackle for loss on a screen pass to James Cook and forcing a fumble that Brents eventually recovered. Miami’s offense demonstrated versatility, mixing runs and passes effectively. Tagovailoa delivered a standout throw, connecting with Waddle for a 25-yard gain.
Despite a conservative approach on third-and-14, Miami managed to extend their lead with a 46-yard field goal, pushing the score to 16-0. As the half wound down, Zach Sieler added to the defensive brilliance with his first sack of the season, further stifling Buffalo’s efforts.
Halftime Reflections
As the halftime whistle blew, the Dolphins held a 16-0 advantage, marking the first time since 2023 that the Bills failed to score in the opening half. The Dolphins’ defense was relentless, and their offensive strategy was effective, setting a promising tone for the second half.
