Miami Dolphins vs Kansas City Chiefs

The Miami Dolphins underwhelmed in their home opener against the Kansas City Chiefs, with the 24-10 loss sending Miami to 0-3 both in the record book and against the spread this season. Defensive improvements from the week prior showed, but offensive struggles doomed the Dolphins against the efficient Chiefs. Most worryingly, Miami’s star running back, Devon Achane, left the game with a knee injury on the first drive and did not return. Head coach Jeff Hafley provided no additional details in his post-game media availability but did say that the status “did not sound very optimistic.”

Offensive Struggles

Achane’s early departure likely muddied the Dolphins’ offensive game script. With third year back Jaylen Wright inactive, also due to injury, Ollie Gordon quickly became Miami’s only healthy active back. Though his 20 total touches do not indicate a massive workload, Gordon’s near constant on field usage eventually led to cramping and a brief absence late in the third quarter. Miami augmented the running game with touches for wide receiver Malik Washington and quarterback Malik Willis, but the Chiefs defense largely kept the ground game in check.

Without reliable rushing production, the Dolphins never replicated their 17 play, 91-yard, 9:27 opening touchdown drive, which was a key component to limiting the Chiefs to less than two full first quarter possessions. Further attempts to limit the Chiefs by taking the air out of the ball and strangling time of possession were abortive, and Miami’s eight remaining drives ended with four turnovers, two punts, a field goal, and time expiring. Malik Willis’ decision making was particularly suspect. He turned over the ball twice (with another interception called back for a defensive penalty) and left positive scramble opportunities on the table trying to push the ball downfield.

Achane’s injury departure surely had an impact on the Dolphins’ passing attack already missing promising rookie wideout Caleb Douglas to an ankle injury. Miami offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik looked to Malik Washington and tight end Greg Dulcich for production, and each had a team leading five receptions. Encouragingly, rookie receiver Chris Bell, limited by injury through some of the offseason program, also saw more opportunities in Douglas’ absence. Bell’s 67 yards led the team, and Willis was willing to push the ball downfield to Bell along the vertical route tree early and often.

Continued Defensive Improvement

For the second week in a row, Miami’s defensive showed significant improvement. Edge rusher Chop Robinson’s return from concussion protocol immediately improved the pass rush. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was not officially sacked, but Miami had one negated by penalty. The Dolphins pressured him much more than Kirk Cousins or Brock Purdy in previous weeks, registering five quarterback hits. The defensive interior looked lively, with Zach Sieler, Jordan Phillips, and Zeek Biggers all disrupting Kansas City’s run and pass game at various points.

Rookie linebacker Jacob Rodriguez’s second quarter tip drill interception was the latest feather in the rookie’s cap. He continues to menace opponents around the line of scrimmage and especially in the run game. He led the team with three tackles for loss, all of which came against Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III. On a team prominently featuring rookie contributors on both sides of the ball, Rodriguez is handily Miami’s brightest young star through September.

Despite some pressure, Miami’s defense was much less effective against the pass. Similarly to Purdy’s efficient box score from a week ago, Mahomes went 20 of 24 for 246 yards and two scores. Rodriguez’s interception was no fault of Mahomes’, who watched his pass bounce off of receiver Rashee Rice. Outside of that error, Rice, and tight ends Travis Kelce and Noah Gray, found joy working against overwhelmed linebackers and defensive backs. The Dolphins are one of the league’s most aggressive defenses through three games, and so far, three experienced quarterbacks have exploited that aggression over the middle via the intermediate route tree.

Hafley

Miami never led, or looked particularly competitive, throughout, but a slow game flow and solid defense performance kept it a one touchdown game well into the fourth quarter. On two consecutive fourth quarter drives, Hafley elected to go for it on fourth down from the Dolphin’s 48-yard line. Neither succeeded, leading to seven Chiefs points (and an additional missed field goal), but both choices were a refreshing departure from the overly conservative decision making of the past two weeks.

Relatedly, Hafley’s measured response to last week’s special teams gaffes proved correct, as execution improved across the board. Kicker Riley Patterson made both his field goal and extra point attempt, and punter Bradley Pinion twice put the ball inside the Chiefs’ 20-yard line. Opponent return production remains an area for improvement as Kansas City averaged over 30 yards per kick return. However, Miami at least balanced that with return production of its own this week, with a 26.8 yard average and two returns over 30 yards.

Around the League

With three games complete, Miami’s first calendar month of football is officially in the books. Fans and analysts already likely know that the Dolphins’ 2026 success is not measured in wins and losses. However, a 0-3 record against the spread suggests the team is underperforming even limited expectations. Within the division, Miami has looked significantly worse than any of the Bills, Patriots, or Jets, and only the Titans have put as much bad play on tape elsewhere. Based on September, the Dolphins are likely picking very high, maybe even first overall, in the 2027 draft. Any prolonged Achane absence would only worsen the prognosis.