Gordon Makes Case for Bigger Role in Dolphins’ Backfield

What stood out most was the way Gordon ran. On the touchdown sequence, he was stuffed once near the goal line but answered two plays later by lowering his pads and powering through Buffalo’s interior. Throughout the night, he kept his legs churning, fought through contact and fell forward for extra yards.

That style gave Miami’s offense a different dimension. The Dolphins have leaned on the speed of De’Von Achane to attack the perimeter, but Gordon’s ability to grind between the tackles kept the Bills honest. His presence helped Miami avoid obvious passing downs and gave the playbook more balance.

The numbers suggest Miami left something on the table. Nine carries were not enough for a runner who was consistently gaining positive yards and bringing energy to the huddle. Gordon’s early touchdown not only put Miami ahead but also set a physical tone the Dolphins struggled to maintain once they shifted away from him.

As Buffalo began to control time of possession in the second half, Miami’s offense bogged down. Gordon wasn’t featured as often after halftime, and the Dolphins lost some of the edge he provided early. It raised the question of whether a heavier workload might have kept drives alive and slowed the Bills’ momentum.

Through three weeks, Miami’s rushing attack has lacked consistency, and Gordon looks like the answer to at least part of that problem. His blend of power and efficiency complements the explosiveness of Achane, giving coach Mike McDaniel a one-two punch capable of wearing down defenses.

Thursday night didn’t end in a win, but Gordon left no doubt he belongs in the game plan. If his first extended action is any indication, the Dolphins would benefit from letting the rookie carry a bigger share of the load.