Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 1 Recap: Texans Win, Tua’s Big Game, and Defensive Breakthroughs

The confetti has settled at Hard Rock Stadium, and the Miami Dolphins are 1-0 to start the 2024 season after a 31-20 victory over the Houston Texans in a game that lived up to its preseason hype. What began as a back-and-forth battle in the first half turned into a Dolphins showcase in the third quarter, with Tua Tagovailoa leading a dominant offensive surge and the defense stepping up to shut down C.J. Stroud’s late comeback attempts. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, this win wasn’t just about the score—it was a statement that their offseason preparations, from roster tweaks to 战术 (scheme) adjustments, are paying off. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 1 Recap: Texans Win, Tua’s Big Game, and Defensive Breakthroughs breaks down the defining moments of the game, highlights standout performances, and explores what this victory means for the Dolphins’ title hopes moving forward.

The star of Sunday’s game was undoubtedly Tagovailoa, who delivered a Pro Bowl-caliber performance that silenced any lingering doubts about his ability to lead the Dolphins in high-pressure moments. The fifth-year quarterback completed 27 of 35 passes for 345 yards and three touchdowns, posting a 138.9 passer rating—his highest in a Week 1 game. What stood out most wasn’t just the numbers, but his poise under pressure: when the Texans tied the game 13-13 early in the third quarter, Tagovailoa responded with a 7-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Tyreek Hill. He later added a 25-yard scoring strike to Jaylen Waddle to seal the win in the fourth quarter. “Tua was in complete control today—he made every throw we needed him to make, and he kept us calm when the game got tight,” head coach Mike McDaniel said after the game. Tagovailoa also avoided turnovers, a key focus in preseason, and even added a 10-yard scramble to extend a critical drive. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 1 Recap: Texans Win, Tua’s Big Game, and Defensive Breakthroughs emphasizes this performance because it cements Tagovailoa’s status as an elite NFL quarterback—and gives the Dolphins confidence that he can carry them through tough matchups later in the season.

While Tagovailoa stole the headlines, the Dolphins’ defense had its own breakthrough, shutting down the Texans’ running game and limiting Stroud’s impact in the second half. Houston entered the game with high hopes for its backfield duo of Dameon Pierce and Devin Singletary, but the Dolphins held them to a combined 62 rushing yards on 21 carries (just 2.9 yards per attempt)—well below their 2023 average of 4.1 yards per carry. Defensive tackle Christian Wilkins led the charge, recording six tackles, a sack, and two tackles for loss, while edge rusher Jaelan Phillips added four tackles and a pressure that forced Stroud into an incomplete pass on fourth down. The defense also got a boost from safety Brandon Jones, who made his return from a torn ACL and recorded three tackles in sub-packages. “Our goal was to stop the run and make Stroud beat us with his arm—and that’s exactly what we did,” defensive coordinator Vic Fangio said. In the second half, the Dolphins held the Texans to just seven points and forced two turnovers, including an interception by cornerback Xavien Howard that set up a field goal. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 1 Recap: Texans Win, Tua’s Big Game, and Defensive Breakthroughs highlights this defensive effort because it addresses a key preseason concern—whether the unit could stop elite running games—and proves that Fangio’s scheme is starting to click.

Offensively, the Dolphins’ speed advantage was on full display against the Texans’ secondary, with Hill and Waddle combining for 186 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Hill, who entered the game with a career average of 112 yards per game against Houston, lived up to the hype, catching nine passes for 105 yards and a touchdown. His biggest play came in the third quarter, when he beat Texans cornerback Steven Nelson on a deep post route for a 35-yard gain that set up Tagovailoa’s second touchdown pass. Waddle was equally impressive, hauling in six passes for 81 yards and a touchdown, including a acrobatic 20-yard catch over two defenders in the first half. Even newly added wide receiver Isaiah Ford got in on the action, catching two passes for 24 yards and blocking well on running plays. “Our speed is our superpower, and we used it today,” Hill said after the game. The Dolphins also used running back De’Von Achane’s speed effectively, as he rushed for 48 yards on eight carries and caught three passes for 32 yards, creating mismatches against the Texans’ linebackers. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 1 Recap: Texans Win, Tua’s Big Game, and Defensive Breakthroughs explores this speed advantage because it’s the foundation of the Dolphins’ offense—and Sunday’s game proved that no secondary in the NFL can fully contain it.

Special teams, which the Dolphins prioritized in preseason, also played a key role in the win, with field position battles tilting heavily in Miami’s favor. Kicker Jason Sanders made all three of his field goal attempts (from 38, 42, and 45 yards) and converted all four extra points, while punter Jake Bailey averaged 46.2 yards per punt and pinned the Texans inside their 20-yard line twice. The coverage unit was equally strong, holding Texans returners to an average of just 5.8 yards per punt return and 19.2 yards per kickoff return—well below their 2023 averages. Long snapper Blake Ferguson, who missed the preseason with a hamstring injury, had a perfect game, with no miscues on kicks or punts. “Special teams won us the field position battle today, and that made a huge difference,” special teams coordinator Danny Crossman said. The Dolphins’ special teams also created a critical momentum shift in the second quarter, when Sanders’ 45-yard field goal gave Miami a 13-10 lead just before halftime, quieting a Texans offense that had started to build momentum. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 1 Recap: Texans Win, Tua’s Big Game, and Defensive Breakthroughs highlights this special teams performance because it’s a reminder that success in the NFL requires excellence in all three phases of the game—and the Dolphins are now firing on all cylinders.

Finally, Sunday’s win has given the Dolphins a playoff-level confidence boost as they head into a tough Week 2 matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. After years of inconsistency, the Dolphins now look like a team that knows how to win—they stayed calm when the game was tied, made adjustments at halftime, and closed out the victory with poise. Veterans like Wilkins and Hill have set a strong example for younger players, while McDaniel’s leadership has created a culture where every player feels accountable. “This win isn’t just about Week 1—it’s about building a habit of winning,” McDaniel said. The Dolphins also learned valuable lessons from the game, including the need to improve their red-zone efficiency (they scored touchdowns on just two of four trips inside the Texans’ 20-yard line) and limit penalties (they were flagged seven times for 58 yards). By addressing these issues in practice this week, the Dolphins can build on Sunday’s success and keep their momentum going. Miami Dolphins 2024 Week 1 Recap: Texans Win, Tua’s Big Game, and Defensive Breakthroughs concludes with this confidence boost because it’s what will carry the Dolphins through the tough midseason stretch against teams like the Chiefs and Ravens. With Sunday’s win, the Dolphins have proven that they’re not just a playoff team—they’re a legitimate Super Bowl contender. And as they prepare for Week 2, all signs point to this being just the start of a special season in Miami.