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Dolphins blown out, Tua Tagovailoa injured in ugly 31-10 loss to Bills

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It was a nightmarish Thursday for the Miami Dolphins. Not only did the team get blown out, 31-10 against the Buffalo Bills, the Dolphins also lost quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to a concussion.

Miami dug itself into a 21-point hole with three Tagovailoa interceptions, including a pick-six early in the third quarter. Then Tagovailoa suffered a scary head injury when he ran headfirst into Bills safety Damar Hamlin while picking up a first down with his legs.

In addition to Tagovailoa's injury, the Dolphins also lost left tackle Terron Armstead and left guard Robert Jones to shoulder injuries.

The loss drops the Dolphins to 1-1 and there are serious questions about not only the health of Tagovailoa, but the state of an entire Miami squad that was outclassed in every way by Buffalo.

Here's how the Dolphins' rough Week 2 outing went down:

Dolphins MVP of the game: RB De'Von Achane

Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) scores a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images
Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane (28) scores a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

If the ankle was bothering Achane, it was awfully hard to tell. Despite entering the night as questionable to play, the second-year running back was easily the most dangerous player for Miami's offense, finishing with 96 rushing yards and 69 receiving yards. His five-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter wound up being the Dolphins' only trip into the end zone.

Bills MVP of the game: RB James Cook

Cook racked up 78 rushing yards on only 11 carries and was responsible for all three of the Bills' offensive touchdowns, with two on the ground and one touchdown reception. Quarterback Josh Allen made plenty of plays as always, and Ja'Marcus Ingram recorded two interceptions, but it's tough to pick anyone other than Cook.

Dolphins play of the game: De'Von Achane's 5-yard touchdown reception

It'd be understandable if you couldn't remember any positive moments for the Dolphins. The best of the night came early when Achane followed an Alec Ingold block and scored on a short swing pass in the first quarter.

It was over when ... Tua Tagovailoa threw a pick-six to the Bills' Ja'Marcus Ingram

It's not often we pick an early third quarter play as the nail in the coffin, but the Bills' pick-six on Miami's first drive of the second half felt like the dagger. After getting a much-needed stop on Buffalo's opening drive, Tua Tagovailoa was pressured by a Bills pass rush that bulldozed through backup offensive linemen Kendall Lamm and Lester Cotton. When the Dolphins quarterback tried to throw the ball away, he floated it right to the Bills' Ja'Marcus Ingram.

It was the third pick of the day thrown by Tagovailoa and pushed Buffalo's lead to 21 points. The Dolphins never came close to digging out of that hole.

Stat that says it all: 3 interceptions, 4 turnovers on downs for Dolphins offense

If you include the Dolphins' four turnovers on downs, the offense handed the ball over to the Bills seven times. SEVEN! Buffalo, on the other hand, didn't turn the ball over once. Finishing that far in the negatives in the turnover margin is a losing formula 100 percent of the time.

What's next?

Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

The Dolphins have a little extra time to heal up and get prepared for the longest road trip any NFL team can make without going to London. They'll fly nearly 3,000 miles to face the Seattle Seahawks in the Pacific Northwest with kickoff set for 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sept. 22.

In their season opener, the Seahawks rallied from a halftime deficit to beat the Denver Broncos, 26-20. On Sunday, Seattle will travel to face the New England Patriots.

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins blown out, Tua Tagovailoa injured in ugly 31-10 loss to Bills