MIAMI GARDENS - The Miami Dolphins fell to 0-3 Sunday after dropping their home opener to the Kansas City Chiefs, 24-10, at Hard Rock Stadium, with a fourth-quarter Travis Kelce touchdown sealing a loss that leaves Miami as one of the AFC’s few remaining winless teams.
The Dolphins kept it a one-score game deep into the second half before Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes connected with wide receiver Rashee Rice for 34 yards to move inside Miami’s 20-yard line, then found Kelce for an 11-yard touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to push the score to 24-10. A Miami interception on fourth-and-1 ended the Dolphins’ final meaningful drive, and kicker Harrison Butker’s 50-yard field goal attempt went wide left to close out the scoring.
Miami quarterback Malik Willis finished 20-of-36 for 210 passing yards and added 56 rushing yards, spreading the ball to five different receivers on a 91-yard, 17-play opening drive that gave the Dolphins an early 7-7 tie. Running back Ollie Gordon II punched in a 3-yard touchdown on that possession - his first of the season - after De’Von Achane suffered an injury and did not return. Gordon II carried the load the rest of the way, finishing with 17 carries for 41 yards.
The Chiefs, now 3-0, struck first when Mahomes capped a six-play, 67-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown run by running back Kenneth Walker III. Mahomes added a five-yard touchdown pass to Walker III on a 10-play, 65-yard drive to push the lead to 14-7 before halftime. Kicker Riley Patterson’s 37-yard field goal in the third quarter narrowed the gap to 14-10, but Kansas City’s defense held from there.
Inside linebacker Jacob Rodriguez was a bright spot for Miami’s defense, recording six total tackles - four solo - three tackles for loss and an interception. Inside linebacker Jordyn Brooks led the team with 10 total tackles, three solo. Defensive lineman Zeek Biggers and edge Chop Robinson each landed one quarterback hit, and the unit held Kansas City to one field goal over two third-quarter possessions before the fourth-quarter breakdown. Rookie receiver Chris Bell led Miami’s receivers with 4 receptions for 67 yards, including a 44-yard catch that sparked a third-quarter drive.
The Dolphins travel to Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 4, at 4:05 p.m.