The Miami Dolphins lost their home opener to the Kansas City Chiefs, 24-10, Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium. Miami entered the game 0-3, while Kansas City entered 3-0. The Dolphins remained within one score late into the fourth quarter but could not complete the comeback.
Malik Willis completed 20 of 36 passes for 210 yards and rushed for 56 yards. He helped lead Miami on a 91-yard, 17-play touchdown drive after the Chiefs scored first, connecting with five different receivers while contributing as a runner alongside De’Von Achane and Ollie Gordon II. Achane suffered an injury during the possession and did not return.
Miami Answers After Kansas City Scores First
Patrick Mahomes opened the scoring for the Kansas City Chiefs by directing a six-play, 67-yard drive. Kenneth Walker III finished the possession with a 10-yard touchdown run, giving Kansas City a 7-0 lead. Harrison Butker added the extra point.
Miami answered with a 91-yard drive that covered 17 plays. Gordon II scored his first touchdown of the season on a three-yard run, and Riley Patterson’s extra point tied the game at 7-7. Gordon II took on a larger role after Achane’s injury and finished with 17 carries for 41 yards.
Kansas City regained the lead on its next possession. Mahomes threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Walker III at the end of a 10-play, 65-yard drive. Jordyn Brooks recorded five tackles during the series for Miami.
Turnovers Keep Miami Within Reach
Willis found Chris Bell for a 44-yard gain to spark Miami’s next scoring opportunity. The drive ended with a fumble, but Jacob Rodriguez intercepted Mahomes on Kansas City’s ensuing possession. Neither team scored again before halftime, leaving the Chiefs ahead 14-7.
Rodriguez finished with six total tackles, including four solo tackles, three tackles for loss and an interception. Brooks led the Miami Dolphins with 10 total tackles, including three solo tackles. Miami’s defense kept the deficit to one score heading into the second half.
The Dolphins opened the second half with Willis completing a 42-yard pass to Greg Dulcich and a 19-yard pass to Gordon II. Patterson then converted a 37-yard field goal to cut Kansas City’s lead to 14-10. Miami could not add another touchdown during the game.
Chiefs Create Separation in Fourth Quarter
Miami’s defense limited Kansas City to one field goal across the Chiefs’ next two possessions. Zeek Biggers and Chop Robinson each recorded one quarterback hit, while Rodriguez added two tackles for loss. Butker’s 34-yard field goal pushed Kansas City’s advantage to 17-10.
The Chiefs delivered the decisive scoring drive midway through the fourth quarter. Mahomes connected with Rashee Rice for a 34-yard gain before throwing an 11-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce. The score extended Kansas City’s lead to 24-10.
Miami’s next drive ended with an interception on fourth-and-1. Kansas City did not add to its lead after Butker missed a 50-yard field-goal attempt wide left. The Dolphins could not produce another scoring opportunity.
Miami Dolphins Leaders
Bell led the Miami Dolphins with four receptions for 67 yards, including the 44-yard catch that sparked a second-quarter drive. Gordon II led Miami on the ground with 17 carries for 41 yards. Willis completed 20 of 36 passes for 210 yards and added 56 rushing yards.
Brooks led Miami with 10 total tackles, including three solo tackles. Rodriguez supplied the Dolphins’ interception and three tackles for loss, while Biggers and Robinson each recorded one quarterback hit. Kansas City’s scoring was led by touchdowns from Walker III and Kelce.
The Miami Dolphins will play the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4 on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 4:05 p.m. at U.S. Bank Stadium. Miami will enter that game after falling to 0-4. The loss was the Dolphins’ first home game of the season.
FSB Take
Miami generated enough offense to challenge Kansas City, particularly during its 91-yard touchdown drive and the opening possession of the second half. Willis contributed through the air and on the ground, while Gordon II handled a larger workload after Achane left the game. The Dolphins will need to convert more of their opportunities when they face the Minnesota Vikings in Week 4.
Source: Original report