The Miami Dolphins (0-3) battled throughout and stayed within one score of the Kansas City Chiefs (3-0) late into the fourth quarter before falling, 24-10, on Sunday in their home opener at Hard Rock Stadium.
The Chiefs struck first after quarterback Patrick Mahomes led a six-play, 67-yard downfield march that ended with a 10-yard touchdown run from running back Kenneth Walker III. Kicker Harrison Butker added an extra point to open the scoring at 7-0.
Miami answered with its longest opening drive of the season, marching 91 yards over 17 plays to find the end zone. Quarterback Malik Willis spread the ball, connecting with five different receivers while also using his legs alongside running backs De'Von Achane and Ollie Gordon II to generate 46 rushing yards.
Achane suffered an injury on the possession and did not return to the game. Gordon II carried the load from there, punching in his first touchdown of the season on a 3-yard run on first-and-goal. Kicker Riley Patterson converted the extra point to even the scoreboard at 7-7.
The Chiefs regained the lead with another touchdown on the following possession, following a 10-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a five-yard touchdown pass from Mahomes to Walker III. Inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks paced the defensive efforts for Miami with five tackles during that series.
After both teams turned the ball over on downs, Willis found rookie receiver Chris Bell for a 44-yard gain to spark Miami's next series. The drive ended with a fumble on second-and-9, though inside linebacker Jacob Rodriguez responded with an interception on Kansas City's ensuing possession. Neither team added to the scoreboard before halftime, leaving the Chiefs ahead by only one score.
The Dolphins elected to receive to open the second half. After starting deep in their own territory, Willis completed a 42-yard pass to tight end Greg Dulcich and then found Gordon II for another 19. Patterson added a 37-yard field goal to narrow the gap to 14-10.
Miami's defense held strong, limiting Kansas City to one field goal over their next two possessions. Defensive lineman Zeek Biggers and edge Chop Robinson landed one quarterback hit each while Rodriguez recorded two tackles for loss before Butker added a 34-yarder to make the score 17-10.
Kansas City extended its lead midway through the fourth quarter. Mahomes connected with wide receiver Rashee Rice for 34 yards to move the Chiefs inside Miami's 20-yard line before finding tight end Travis Kelce for an 11-yard touchdown, pushing the score to 24-10.
Miami's next drive was shut down by an interception on a fourth-and-1. Kansas City failed to cash in, however, as Butker's 50-yard field goal attempt went wide left.
Willis finished 20-of-36 (55.6 pct.) for 210 passing yards and 56 rushing. Behind Willis, Gordon II led on the ground with 17 carries for 41 yards; Bell led in the air with 4 receptions for 67 yards. Brooks finished with a team-high 10 total tackles (3 solo) while Rodriguez added six total (four solo), three tackles for loss and an interception.
The Dolphins head up north for their Week 4 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 4:05 p.m. at U.S. Bank Stadium.
