The Buffalo Bills dominated the Miami Dolphins 31-10 to kick off Week 2 on “Thursday Night Football.” However, a concussion suffered by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa cast a dark cloud over most of the contest.
Here are five takeaways from the action:
Tua Tagovailoa’s latest concussion prompts tough conversation
Early in the second half, after a head-first collision with the chest of Bills safety Damar Hamlin, Tagovailoa fell to the turf in an all-too-familiar and terrifying position. Shortly after that, the Dolphins had ruled out their starting quarterback, who’d been diagnosed with yet another concussion.
Fresh off signing a four-year, $212.4 million extension with the Dolphins on July 26, a lot is riding on Tagovailoa’s future. However, the future the 26-year-old should be most concerned about is the one he hopes to have off the field.
Unless doctors take the decision out of Tagovailoa’s hands, only he can determine if returning to the field is worth it. But after suffering three frightening concussions in a span of two years, no one would fault him for calling it a career early.
Bills’ domination of Dolphins continues
The Bills made a statement, improving to 12-1 against the Dolphins over their previous 13 meetings. Buffalo did so by dominating both sides of the ball, capitalizing on opportunities offensively and smothering opposing weapons on defense.
Leading 24-10 at halftime, Buffalo scored 17 of its first-half points off two interceptions and a turnover on downs. The onslaught continued to start the second half, with Ja’Marcus Ingram recording his second interception on the night, returning it 31 yards for a touchdown, which all but wrapped things up in the third quarter.
Injuries piling up for Dolphins
Tagovailoa’s health is the No. 1 priority, but the Dolphins also lost several key players on Thursday night. Both left tackle Terron Armstead and left guard Robert Jones exited with shoulder injuries.
The O-line was already a weak point heading into the season, but losing two starters on the left side could be devastating for the Dolphins, who may have to rely on veteran Kendall Lamm, Lester Cotton or rookie Patrick Paul to fill the void. Meanwhile, things could become even more dire if backup Skylar Thompson has to start.
James Cook had a game for the ages
Third-year running back James Cook had arguably the best game of his short career, posting career highs in the first half alone on Thursday night. The 24-year-old finished with 78 rushing yards (11 carries) and two touchdowns on the ground, adding another score through the air on a catch for 17 yards.
With the game decided relatively early in the second half, Cook’s numbers weren’t as high as they could’ve been. But the three-touchdown outing was a career first for the former second-round pick, and his two rushing scores helped him equal his output from the last two seasons.