Chaos or Karma: Dolphins Face Defining Test Against Buffalo

The Miami Dolphins walk into tonight’s primetime showdown against the Buffalo Bills standing at the edge of two very different realities. One road leads to chaos, the other leads to doing the impossible, which is somehow upsetting the Buffalo Bills on primetime in front of the entire world. The implications of either scenario are enormous for the trajectory of Miami’s season.

The chaos scenario is easy to picture because we’ve already seen it. In Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts, Miami looked unprepared, unfocused, and unwilling to stick to its identity. The offense sputtered, the defense bent too easily, and the game spiraled out of control before halftime. Last week’s win over the New England Patriots showed signs of growth, but even that performance ended with the Dolphins beating themselves in crunch time. If those same issues reappear tonight, the Bills could quickly turn this game into another nightmare, leaving Miami at a dangerous early-season crossroads.

But what if karma comes to play? When Mike McDaniel famously chose not to kick a late field goal in 2023 to break the NFL’s single-game scoring record—leaving Miami at 70 points instead of 73—it was seen by many as foolish. However, if the football gods exist, then McDaniel might get the last laugh. Here’s to wishing!

All jokes asides, for the Dolphins to tilt this game toward a win, the blueprint is straightforward: run the football. On a short week, with Josh Allen and the Bills waiting on the other side, Miami must control the clock, have zero turnovers and keep Buffalo’s star quarterback on the sideline. The Dolphins’ roster is built for this very situation, with explosive backs like De’Von Achane and Ollie Gordon capable of wearing down a defense if given enough opportunities.

The real question is whether McDaniel will stick to that identity when it matters most. Too often, Miami has been seduced by the allure of big passing plays and quick strikes, abandoning the ground game even when it’s working. Against Buffalo, that temptation could prove fatal. A patient, physical rushing attack not only shortens the game but also gives Miami’s defense a chance to catch its breath against one of the league’s most dynamic offenses.

The Bills have also struggled to stop the run, and with Ed Oliver’s status uncertain, McDaniel would be wise to exploit that weakness. If he truly is coaching for his job, he’ll pull out all the stops tonight but hopefully in a balanced approach. Too often, he’s outsmarted himself and ignored football’s fundamentals. But if he can return to basics and embrace the K.I.S.S. method, the Dolphins will have a chance to succeed.

So what will it be: chaos or karma? Only time will tell.