Week 11 Recap Focuses on Survival by the Miami Dolphins

Week 11 in the NFL is often a turning point for playoff contenders—and for the Miami Dolphins, their 24-21 win over the Buffalo Bills was less a “statement victory” and more a masterclass in survival. Facing a divisional rival with a stingy defense, playing through injuries to key players, and overcoming early turnovers, the Dolphins didn’t just win—they clawed their way to a result that kept their AFC East lead intact and avoided a critical setback in the playoff race. Week 11 Recap Focuses on Survival by the Miami Dolphins breaks down how a game defined by adversity, last-minute heroics, and gritty execution became a microcosm of the Dolphins’ 2024 season: not always pretty, but always resilient.

Week 11 Recap Focuses on Survival by the Miami Dolphins begins with the high-stakes context that made this win so critical. Entering the game, the Dolphins held a one-game lead over the Bills in the AFC East, but a loss would have tied the division and handed Buffalo the head-to-head tiebreaker—a blow that could have derailed their hopes of a first-round bye. The Bills, meanwhile, came in with the NFL’s 4th-ranked defense, hungry to avenge a Week 3 loss to Miami and reassert control of the division. From the opening kickoff, the tone was set: this was a physical, back-and-forth battle where every mistake mattered. The Dolphins’ offense stumbled early, with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa throwing an interception on their second drive—setting up a Bills touchdown that gave Buffalo a 7-0 lead. “We knew this wasn’t going to be easy,” Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said postgame. “The Bills are a great team, and they made us earn every yard. This was a survival game, plain and simple—and we found a way to survive.”

A defining element of Week 11 Recap Focuses on Survival by the Miami Dolphins is the team’s ability to overcome injuries to key contributors. Midway through the second quarter, star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle left the game with a mild shoulder sprain after a hard hit from Bills safety Micah Hyde. Waddle, who had 4 catches for 38 yards before exiting, was one of Tagovailoa’s top targets—and his absence forced the Dolphins to rely even more on Tyreek Hill and tight end Darren Waller. Then, in the third quarter, defensive end Jaelan Phillips suffered a knee contusion, leaving the Dolphins’ pass rush shorthanded against Bills quarterback Josh Allen. But the Dolphins’ depth stepped up: rookie wide receiver Braxton Berrios filled in for Waddle, catching 3 passes for 45 yards, while edge rusher Austin Booker recorded a sack in Phillips’ place. “Injuries are part of the NFL, but how you respond defines you,” said defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. “Our guys didn’t blink—they just stepped up and did their jobs. That’s the kind of depth that wins games in November.”

Week 11 Recap Focuses on Survival by the Miami Dolphins also highlights the late-game heroics that sealed the win—starting with a critical defensive stop in the fourth quarter. With the Dolphins leading 24-21 and the Bills driving into Miami territory, Allen attempted a deep pass to wide receiver Stefon Diggs on 3rd-and-10. Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard, who had been quiet all game, stepped in front of Diggs to intercept the pass—ending the Bills’ best chance to tie or take the lead. Howard’s interception was his first of the season, and it came at the perfect time: with just 2:17 left in the game, the Dolphins were able to run out the clock and secure the win. “Xavien has been working his tail off all season, and that play was a reward for his consistency,” McDaniel said. For the Miami Dolphins, Howard’s interception wasn’t just a game-saving play—it was a reminder of their defensive resilience, even when facing one of the NFL’s most dynamic quarterbacks. It also underscored the importance of their secondary, which has been a strength all season despite occasional lapses.

Another layer of Week 11 Recap Focuses on Survival by the Miami Dolphins is the standout performance from Hill, who carried the offense in Waddle’s absence. Hill finished the game with 12 catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns—including a 35-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter that gave the Dolphins a 21-14 lead. His second touchdown, a 10-yard catch with 5:43 left in the game, proved to be the game-winner. What made Hill’s performance even more impressive was his ability to beat double teams: the Bills assigned two defenders to Hill for much of the game, but he still found ways to get open. “Tyreek is a once-in-a-generation talent, but what makes him special is his competitiveness,” Tagovailoa said. “When Jaylen went down, he looked at me and said, ‘I got this.’ And he did. He carried us.” For the Miami Dolphins, Hill’s consistency has been a constant in a season filled with ups and downs. He’s now on pace for over 2,000 receiving yards, and his ability to take over games has been a key factor in their winning streak.

Looking ahead, Week 11 Recap Focuses on Survival by the Miami Dolphins leaves the team in a strong position as they enter the stretch run. With a 9-2 record and a two-game lead in the AFC East, the Dolphins are in control of their own destiny for a first-round bye. But the win over the Bills also exposed areas that need improvement: turnovers (Tagovailoa’s interception), red-zone efficiency (they scored just one touchdown on three trips inside the Bills’ 20-yard line), and depth at wide receiver. McDaniel has already indicated that the team will address these issues in practice this week, with a focus on reducing mistakes and getting more players involved in the offense. “This win was big, but we can’t get complacent,” McDaniel said. “We have a lot of work to do, and we need to keep improving if we want to make a deep playoff run.” For the Miami Dolphins, Week 11 was a reminder that survival in the NFL requires more than talent—it requires grit, adaptability, and a willingness to fight until the final whistle.

Week 11 Recap Focuses on Survival by the Miami Dolphins is ultimately a story of resilience. The Dolphins didn’t play their best football, but they played their most important football when it mattered most. They overcame injuries, turnovers, and a tough opponent to secure a win that could define their season. For fans, the win was a relief—and a sign that this team has what it takes to compete with the NFL’s best. For the players and coaches, it was a validation of their hard work and their commitment to each other. As the Dolphins prepare for Week 12 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, they’ll carry the lessons from Week 11 with them: that survival in the NFL isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being tough enough to overcome your imperfections. And if they can keep that mindset, they’ll be a force to be reckoned with in the playoffs.