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Dolphins Fall to Chiefs 24-10 in Home Opener

 

 

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The Miami Dolphins battled the Kansas City Chiefs for four quarters Sunday afternoon, but a late fourth-quarter touchdown from Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce helped Kansas City pull away for a 24-10 victory at Hard Rock Stadium.

The loss dropped Miami to 0-3 on the season, while the Chiefs improved to 3-0. Despite the final score, the Dolphins remained within one possession deep into the fourth quarter before Kansas City ultimately put the game away.

Chiefs Strike First

Kansas City wasted little time getting on the scoreboard.

Mahomes led the Chiefs on a six-play, 67-yard opening drive that ended with running back Kenneth Walker III finding the end zone on a 10-yard touchdown run.

Miami responded with its best opening drive of the season.

The Dolphins marched 91 yards on 17 plays, mixing the passing and running games effectively. Quarterback Malik Willis connected with five different receivers while also contributing with his legs.

The drive ended with Ollie Gordon II scoring his first touchdown of the season on a three-yard run, tying the game at 7-7.

Achane Leaves With Injury

The Dolphins' opening touchdown drive came with a major concern, however, as running back De'Von Achane suffered an injury and did not return.

Gordon took on a larger role after Achane's departure and finished the afternoon with 17 carries for 41 yards.

The loss of Achane became an important storyline as Miami tried to generate consistency offensively throughout the remainder of the afternoon.

Chiefs Take Control Before Halftime

Kansas City responded immediately.

Mahomes engineered a 10-play, 65-yard drive that ended with another touchdown connection with Walker, this time from five yards out.

Miami had opportunities to respond. Willis connected with rookie wide receiver Chris Bell for 44 yards, but the drive ended with a fumble.

The Dolphins defense answered by forcing a turnover of its own, with linebacker Jacob Rodriguez intercepting Mahomes on Kansas City's next possession.

Neither team scored again before halftime, leaving the Chiefs with a 14-7 advantage at the break.

Dolphins Cut the Deficit to Four

Miami opened the second half with one of its better offensive sequences of the afternoon.

Willis connected with tight end Greg Dulcich for 42 yards before finding Gordon for another 19-yard gain. The drive stalled in Kansas City territory, but Riley Patterson converted a 37-yard field goal to bring Miami within four at 14-10.

The Dolphins defense then kept the game within reach.

Kansas City managed only one field goal over its next two possessions, with Harrison Butker connecting from 34 yards to extend the lead to 17-10.

Mahomes and Kelce Put It Away

With Miami still within one score in the fourth quarter, Kansas City delivered the decisive drive.

Mahomes connected with Rashee Rice for 34 yards, moving the Chiefs inside the Miami 20-yard line. Two plays later, Mahomes found Travis Kelce for an 11-yard touchdown, pushing Kansas City's lead to 24-10.

Miami's next possession ended with an interception on fourth-and-one, effectively ending the Dolphins' comeback hopes.

Kansas City failed to add another score after Butker missed a 50-yard field-goal attempt wide left, but the damage had already been done.

Willis Shows Promise Despite Loss

Willis finished the afternoon 20-of-36 passing for 210 yards, while adding 56 rushing yards.

The Dolphins quarterback showed flashes throughout the game, particularly on Miami's opening drive and during the third-quarter possession that cut Kansas City's lead to four.

Rookie receiver Chris Bell led Miami with four receptions for 67 yards, while Greg Dulcich provided several important plays in the passing game.

Defensively, linebacker Jordyn Brooks led the Dolphins with 10 total tackles. Rodriguez added six tackles, three tackles for loss and the interception of Mahomes.

Miami Heads to Minnesota

The Dolphins now enter Week 4 searching for their first victory of the season.

Miami will travel north to face the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, October 4, at U.S. Bank Stadium.

At 0-3, the Dolphins will look to regroup quickly after a game in which they remained competitive against an undefeated Kansas City team but ultimately couldn't generate enough offense to finish the comeback.

For Miami, the next challenge comes on the road — with the health of Achane and the continued development of Willis among the biggest storylines heading into Week 4.

Final: Kansas City Chiefs 24, Miami Dolphins 10.

 

 

 

 

Written by: Daniel Torres