The Miami Dolphins’ recent 34-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons might look impressive at first glance, but it hardly signals a turnaround for the struggling franchise. While the Dolphins dominated on the road, Tua Tagovailoa’s excellent performance—completing 20 of 24 passes for 205 yards and four touchdowns—should not be mistaken as a sign that Miami’s fortunes have changed. Despite this convincing win, the Dolphins remain firmly out of the playoff picture with a 2-6 record, trailing division rivals New England Patriots (6-2) and Buffalo Bills (5-2) by four losses.
Miami’s chances of making the postseason appear slim, and this win is more of a temporary reprieve than a true course correction. The team’s remaining schedule, while statistically one of the easier ones in the NFL with opponents holding a combined win percentage of just .463, masks significant challenges ahead. For example, their upcoming Week 9 game against the Baltimore Ravens is far from a guaranteed win. The Ravens, currently 2-5, could have Lamar Jackson back under center, as the betting line favors Baltimore by 7.5 points, indicating Jackson’s likely return to form.
Two weeks later, the Dolphins face the Washington Commanders in Madrid, Spain—a game that looks easier on paper since Washington is 3-4 and without starting quarterback Jayden Daniels. However, Daniels is expected to return before the matchup, which will make the contest far more difficult than it seems. Sandwiched between these two road games is a home date with the Buffalo Bills and star quarterback Josh Allen, who boasts a 13-2 record against Miami in his career. All told, this three-week stretch could leave the Dolphins at 2-9 heading into their Week 12 bye, a sobering outlook that highlights the uphill battle Miami faces.
Beyond this rough patch, Miami must also contend with three late-season road games against the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and New England Patriots. Given Miami’s poor record in cold-weather games under Tagovailoa, these trips further complicate their path forward. In short, despite the impressive win over Atlanta, the Dolphins’ season remains on a downward trajectory, and more losses—and likely significant organizational changes—are on the horizon.
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Elsewhere around the league, the Buffalo Bills put on a dominant performance in their 40-9 drubbing of the Carolina Panthers. Running back James Cook was the standout star, rushing for a career-high 216 yards, including two touchdowns of over 20 yards. His explosive 64-yard touchdown run opened the scoring and set the tone for the blowout victory. Remarkably, Cook achieved this feat without even touching the ball in the fourth quarter, underscoring his dominance earlier in the game.
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The Cleveland Browns, meanwhile, had a tough outing against the New England Patriots, losing 32-13, but defensive star Myles Garrett was a shining light. Despite facing constant double teams, Garrett recorded five sacks—a franchise record and a personal best. His performance also helped him surpass legendary linebacker Reggie White for the most sacks recorded before turning 30 in NFL history. However, Garrett’s incredible day came with a bitter twist: he became the first player in NFL history to record five sacks in a game and still lose by four or more points. His frustration was evident on the sidelines as the Browns fell short.
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The New York Jets finally got into the win column for the season, thanks in large part to the outstanding play of their running back Breece Hall. Hall was instrumental in the Jets’ comeback victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, scoring two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter and throwing a crucial passing touchdown to tight end Mason Taylor on the game-winning drive. Hall became the first running back since Ronnie Brown in 2008 to record two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown in the same game, showcasing his versatility and importance to the Jets’ offense.
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Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants seems to be rediscovering his explosive form after a slow start to the season. In Week 8, Barkley recorded his first 100-yard rushing game of the year, highlighted by a 65-yard touchdown run on his very first touch. This run tied Barkley with Adrian Peterson for the most career rushing touchdowns of 65 or more yards, at nine. Barkley’s top speed on the run was an impressive 21.68 mph, marking